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The U.S. Arcade is Dead?
Via GameSetWatch, an article by one of the editors of GamePro positing that the U.S. arcade is now a dead thing. By positing, I really mean ranting. From the article: "Americans play videogames for one reason and for one reason only, to kick ass. It doesn't matter if you're crushing skulls in the fighting arena or on the football field. Being a virtual DJ, riding a horse (not into battle), and playing other violence-free games is not enough to draw people into arcades. Gaming isn't about having family-friendly fun it's about indulging in man's carnal desires. And then Konami drove the nail through the heart of coin operated gaming... The abomination of videogaming known as DDR served as an outlet for wannabe Travoltas to flail around wildly and quickly made the house of tank simulators and street fighting a haven for lamos. "
When I read that article, I was sort of expecting it to continue past the complaining about DDR, you know, and provide a little depth or backup. You know, explain why he hates DDR so much. Why would you consider DDR to be the death of arcades rather than its financial savior? How could you hate it when it keeps the money coming for venues that will also house Your Favorite Hardcore Fighting Game Doubleplus XP20? And why, you arrogant bastard, do you seem to have the impression that you and you alone can determine what people's tastes should be in electronic amusement machines?
Slashdot Games has run some great articles, and some unfathomably weak articles. This article, due to its unexplained ranting, general lack of facts, and unfathomable sparseness of content for its three-paragraph length, is the weakest article I've ever seen on Slashdot Games. That's not the writer's fault, though, it was just an off-the-cuff entry for his blog. It's Slashdot Games that ought to be ashamed for wasting our time by running an enraged fluff piece as a legitimate piece of gaming commentary.
I have friends who have successfully used DDR as a workout regimen. If you get the home edition and the dance pads, you can play as long as you want, and it's exercise. If you have friends or roommates who like to play, it's competitive. And if you actually like the game, it's a heck of a lot more fun than riding a stationary bike, or running on a treadmill, or whatever else you might do at the gym.
Seriously, I've never heard someone say, "Hey, let's go to the gym and work out!" But "Hey, let's go play DDR" works mentally like "Hey, let's go shoot some hoops" and gets you more physical activity than, say, World of Warcraft.
There is a great arcade in Portland, OR called "Ground Zero." Its an arcade made up of entirely classics. Pong, Pac Man, Space Invaders, etc. All the great old arcade games in near mint condition. They also have pinball machines (I think).
Arcades aren't dead, just in a recession which the game industry has know many.
Arcades initially were for people who wanted to play video games but couldn't afford to buy an arcade machine. They still went strong, although slightly weaker, when home game consoles started to hit it big. Now game consoles are everywhere so arcades are in a decline. Once VR starts to become realistic (cost wise), the first people who are going to afford it are arcades. They'll get people interested and will serve people well until VR becomes cheaper.
Speaking is NOT communication
Here in San Diego we have this great arcade called Nickel City. It's owned by Capcom, thus all the games are great, older Capcom games. And instead of paying a dollar to play a game, it costs you a few nickels. We also have a Tilt in one of our malls, which is cool. The only game I play there is Guilty Gear XX, even though I own it. What really draws me to arcades is the chance to own some 25 year old guy who thinks he can play GGXX better than a 19 year old girl. I always get the last laugh...
To alcohol and cigarettes and Mary-Jane to keep me insane doing someone else's cocaine
Its problems like that which drove a local arcade out of business. Rowdy kids ruined the whole thing. My brother's friend had a birthday party there and it ended with a brawl when a gang of 12 kids started with one of the partygoers. And I mean 14 and 15 year olds not 17-20 something's. The 17-20 something's hung outside drinking and smoking weed harassing everyone who entered the building. The best part about the place was the indoor laser tag arena. Worst part was when I herd that a fight broke out and some kid got his head bashed in with the laser tag gun. They did have security but they didn't deter the kids who just didn't give a shit. That arcade lasted about a year.
I think arcades can be saved once they realize that they need to have content that can't be reproduced at home.
They have for a long time. Yu Suzuki described in an interview how when he designs games for the arcade, he specifically looks at integrating unique hardware to add to the experience. Originally this philosophy created games that could charge a premium (eg 75cents to play "Afterburner" in the moving cockpit). Now with consoles and computers being so powerful, that's pretty much all you see in arcades.
The problem is that games in themselves are not enough to attract an audience. You can drive 20 minutes to go to the arcade to play a game that costs $1 or just play something that may not be quite as entertaining at home free. Where you do see arcades still thrive is at Dave & Busters or Gameworks type places where you get food, get beer, and play some motorcycle racers. The games aren't necessarily the money makers, but they provide entertainment to keep people in the bar buying liquor which is.
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