Namco Blames Wii for Arcade Closures

milsoRgen noted a story about Namco Bandai is shuttering between 50 and 60 arcades in Japan and blaming the success of the Wii for the closures. "A lot of the types of games that people played at an arcade can now be done at home," said company spokesman Yuji Machida. To be fair they also blame the high cost of gasoline as well.

Comments

Um... what?

[UbuntuDupe]

I was unaware the Japanese incorporated high cost of gasoline into decisions to go to an arcade, given that their subway/train system doesn't suck there.

Re:Um... what?

[DDLKermit007]

Yeah the gasoline argument doesn't really hold water with me either. I spent the Summer in Japan bouncing around the country, and you really don't see cars, let alone parking spots around arcades. You take a freaking train to get everywhere. Driving to an arcade in Japan is pretty superfluous in Japan. All you need to bring is a few thousand yen, and your good to go. It's more likely the best arcades are getting all the business really. Usually I stayed away from Namco's arcades since they usually have the games that are a couple years old, and their UFO catchers in my experience are substantially harder (translation: require more $$$) to win. Find it odd that Sega would be closing arcades though, probably just the under performing ones in bad locations.

Re:Um... what?

[MidnightBrewer]

Living in Japan, I'd say that the arcade still has a lot of appeal for the younger crowd because of the social aspect (spending time with your friends and not having to be around your family), but the games are definitely feeling their age; Namco isn't making much effort in the innovation or updating graphics department, so it's their own fault.

Unless these are game centers out in the middle of nowhere, blaming the gas prices is total crap, since the trains are unaffected and most kids are going to their local game center by bicycle. Certain shopping malls are indeed out in the suburbs, but again, unless we're talking about the rural countryside here, all of them are within a short walk or bus ride from the station. I'd definitely go with the idea that Namco has been sitting on their coattails and not bothering to bring anything good to the table.

Bring back pinball!

[Anonymous Coward]

Arcades want to survive? Easy, bring back pinball. A real, physical pinball game, not the emulator kind made by GlobalVR.

Re:Bring back pinball!

[ZorinLynx]

I second that.

I don't know why pinball died. It's so much fun! It's physical and noisy and just *cool*.

Video games seem to sterile by comparison. An acquaintance collects and maintains old electromechanical pinball tables... Has about 20 of them in perfect operating condition. Tons of fun...

Bring back pinball, damnit.

Good old days...

[eNygma-x]

I was just thinking lastnight how much I missed the old days of arcades. People gathering around "World Heroes" or "SoulEdge" or better yet "Virtua Fighter" to test our skills. I still haven't beaten "S.T.U.N. runner" (I was so close.) And yes I do blame game consoles. Online game play makes things better.... but it still doesn't compare to walking into an arcade and feeling the tension of arcade battles. =)

I got an itch between my legs, I'll blame it on..

[3seas]

Computer technology.... just like everyone else is doing....

From the RIAA to my hemorrhoids from sitting down all day.

technology in the computer industry is supposed to make things easier, cheaper and overall better.

So complain about it!

And while you are at it, complain how there is no more horse manure in the streets for the manure sweeps to earn a living by, because of cars.

Social Gaming

[ddrichardson]

Surprised they didn't mention on-line gaming really, maybe it's my age but I remember people queing up to play Street Fighter II. People still enjoy the challenge of another person, its just that they are doing it at home.