I'm not really sure what D&B's business plan is these days.
There was a time, circa 3-5 years ago, that my friends and I would go to our local Dave and Busters about once a week to have lunch or dinner and play a bunch of games. Every time we went there there'd be at least one new arcade game to play, and the food was always excellent.
At the time, their business made a lot of sense to me. You have this whole generation of kids who grew up going to the arcades that's now grown up. You get them back in and make money off them as adults with a combination of the fun and nostalgia of their arcade days and great food/drinks. By making it this upscale, adult-oriented establishment you turn what was seen as a niche quasi-geek activity into something more acceptable and mainstream.
Their restaurant/bar quality has gone way downhill in my opinion over the last few years, while the prices have gone up. Now new arcade games at the D&B are rare in the extreme (is this because they're buying less or because, as the article suggests, less are being made?). It used to be that as an adult professional I could make a case to even non-arcadeophiles to do a lunch at the D&B because the food was so good -- now that's just not the case anymore. I'm just not sure what the draw is supposed to be, now.
The Gameworks I've visited still has fairly good food, though I can't say I like their layout/setup as much as the D&B's.
Is it possible that one of the problems with the arcade industry is mismanagement of the arcades themselves?
But I'm neither a programmer nor American nor manager and it does not affect me personally.
With all due respect, that accounts for why you probably don't understand the issue at hand; on the other hand, it helps illustrate why the issue exists in the first place.
Many kinds of software development and especially design can't be outsourced (yes, even to other American companies) without significant drawbacks and consequences. The problem is, stockholders and managers looking to improve the bottom line are oblivious to these consequences and will be, right up until they get bitten in the proverbial ass down the road.
Remember, having a half-dozen online pet food superstores once seemed like a good idea to investors, too.:)
Honestly, as bad as From Justin To Kelly could ever be (and probably is), if you believe it's the worst movie of all time you clearly haven't seen Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie.
I'm too slothy to look it up on imdb at the moment, but trust me. Soooo bad.
This might have been hashed over already, but I'd be curious to hear user recommendations (or un-recommendations) for other lightweight, around-the-neck wearable mp3 players.
My experience is that 99% of my mp3 player use is for working out or running, and further, that waist/belt clip isn't really viable for that. Neck seems to be the way to go if I want to use a player for that and not gradually beat the shit out of it by occasionally dropping it.
Any insight?
As it happens, I went to UIUC, and I did have a computer architecture class with Professor Feng.
If you're curious, he's a great guy. He taught his own class and did all of important work for it himself, instead of dumping it off onto TAs like so many of the other professors -- and did a fantastic job of it, too. Years have passed and I've forgotten most of the material they tried to teach me in college, but I still retain what I learned in that class. Easily the best professor I encountered in 4 years in Chambana.
It's somehow encouraging to see a guy like that accomplish something noteworthy like this, rather than the million apathetic profs I had.
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I'm not really sure what D&B's business plan is these days.
There was a time, circa 3-5 years ago, that my friends and I would go to our local Dave and Busters about once a week to have lunch or dinner and play a bunch of games. Every time we went there there'd be at least one new arcade game to play, and the food was always excellent.
At the time, their business made a lot of sense to me. You have this whole generation of kids who grew up going to the arcades that's now grown up. You get them back in and make money off them as adults with a combination of the fun and nostalgia of their arcade days and great food/drinks. By making it this upscale, adult-oriented establishment you turn what was seen as a niche quasi-geek activity into something more acceptable and mainstream.
Their restaurant/bar quality has gone way downhill in my opinion over the last few years, while the prices have gone up. Now new arcade games at the D&B are rare in the extreme (is this because they're buying less or because, as the article suggests, less are being made?). It used to be that as an adult professional I could make a case to even non-arcadeophiles to do a lunch at the D&B because the food was so good -- now that's just not the case anymore. I'm just not sure what the draw is supposed to be, now.
The Gameworks I've visited still has fairly good food, though I can't say I like their layout/setup as much as the D&B's.
Is it possible that one of the problems with the arcade industry is mismanagement of the arcades themselves?
Stupider? No such word.
Sadly, that's not necessarily true. Some English-language dictionaries will include "stupider".
I lost a bet a few years back because I didn't think it was a word, either.
But I'm neither a programmer nor American nor manager and it does not affect me personally.
:)
With all due respect, that accounts for why you probably don't understand the issue at hand; on the other hand, it helps illustrate why the issue exists in the first place.
Many kinds of software development and especially design can't be outsourced (yes, even to other American companies) without significant drawbacks and consequences. The problem is, stockholders and managers looking to improve the bottom line are oblivious to these consequences and will be, right up until they get bitten in the proverbial ass down the road.
Remember, having a half-dozen online pet food superstores once seemed like a good idea to investors, too.
Honestly, as bad as From Justin To Kelly could ever be (and probably is), if you believe it's the worst movie of all time you clearly haven't seen Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie.
I'm too slothy to look it up on imdb at the moment, but trust me. Soooo bad.
I can't help but think about that bit in the "Freddy vs. Jason" theatrical trailer about how evil will battle evil. Mmm... spammers with machetes...
This might have been hashed over already, but I'd be curious to hear user recommendations (or un-recommendations) for other lightweight, around-the-neck wearable mp3 players. My experience is that 99% of my mp3 player use is for working out or running, and further, that waist/belt clip isn't really viable for that. Neck seems to be the way to go if I want to use a player for that and not gradually beat the shit out of it by occasionally dropping it. Any insight?
As it happens, I went to UIUC, and I did have a computer architecture class with Professor Feng.
If you're curious, he's a great guy. He taught his own class and did all of important work for it himself, instead of dumping it off onto TAs like so many of the other professors -- and did a fantastic job of it, too. Years have passed and I've forgotten most of the material they tried to teach me in college, but I still retain what I learned in that class. Easily the best professor I encountered in 4 years in Chambana.
It's somehow encouraging to see a guy like that accomplish something noteworthy like this, rather than the million apathetic profs I had.