Well do you? With technology of home gaming consoles and hand devices advancing so quickly, are people not bothered to go to the arcade to play a couple of rounds of Time Crises or Daytona anymore? Not to mention you have to pay a hefty amount just for one round. Maybe going to an arcade offers a different experience such as the atmosphere, the type of games offered and the prizes that you can win, but I don't really see the arcades existing in the future, or there would be a lot less.
I think the choice of whether go to the arcade or going over to their friends place to play PS3, most would say going to their friends place. But it's kind of sad though that this trend is happening, when you go to an arcade lit with lights and sounds but soulless. All the classic games in its primal inventions no longer exist. I may be too young to ever appreciate when the arcade was popular, but I imagine a time when it was a cool place to go and you see crowds of people challenging to beat the high score of a game. The times of Billy Mitchell and Steve Weibe is diminishing (even in the documentary there weren't that many people in the arcade).
Post #10
ReplyDeleteI haven't spent very much time in arcades at all, but most of the arcade games I have played have been in restaurant settings. I can't imagine how pure arcades can survive anymore. In order for arcade games to be played I think they have to be paired with food or music also. I can see arcades surviving in the future if they are also restaurants or music venues. Otherwise, I don't think most arcades are popular enough anymore to survive on their own.
Well if you go to Pinball Pete's at night on the weekends there are usually a lot of people there. There are either teenagers, college students, couples, or families.
ReplyDeleteI don't think arcades are as popular as they once were, but people still want to get out of their home and do something. Besides, after you go to the arcade you can eat something, watch a movie, etc. So the arcade experience can be contained in an overall experience of having fun.
For the record, I love arcades and the welcoming vibe they give off. I frequently go to Pinball Pete's and am mesmerized by the flashing lights and the barrage of sounds from the games surrounding me. The other night a group of us guys went there after a formal dinner and played Dragon Quest (or whatever, some quiz game) for two hours and beat it. We fought with quarters! it was just such an awesome bonding experience and so nostalgic to step back and see 14 dudes crowding around one game working together to beat this nerdy, fantasy quiz game. I wish there were more things like that. I'd say if you want to have a good time with friends (or a date) go to Pinball Pete's. The cool guy at the counter with glasses may try and arm wrestle your date though so don't be surprised. He may also give you math questions to solve and then double your tickets for no reason. It's a great place.
ReplyDelete#6 Matt, your nostalgic experience has inspired me to go to Pinball Pete's. I haven't been there yet, but I have no idea why. I used to love that aspect of gaming, the comradery it allowed for. Everyone rooting for their pal to get the high score. It's no wonder why businesses like Dave and Busters are thriving right about now, there's a market for it. What better way to break the ice on a date then challenge them to a game of hoops? (and then let them win, or genuinely get beat, the point is lose, like a gentlemen). I hope the classic arcade stays around for those looking for this unique, nostalgic, gaming experience.
ReplyDelete@Matt - I was just there the other night and met that guy (and lost to him)! His name's John, btw.
ReplyDeleteI think that aside from nostalgia, people still go to arcades because they have games and machines that we probably can't afford let alone fit in our houses. Who has a full-sized air hockey table, a pinball machine or any game cabinet in their house to play whenever they want? Probably not many of us.
I personally go to Pinball Pete's to play pinball because nothing - not even that pinball game on Windows 95/98 - can substitute for the real thing. (Heads up: Stay away from the LOTR pinball, there's a part where all the balls get stuck and then the staff have to come and tip the thing over so you can keep playing.)
Post #19
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to go to Pinball Pete's but have never gotten there. I was wondering how many arcades there are in cities that are exclusively arcades without food or music venues. I wonder how well places like Pinball Petes does. If they are succeeding as a business, what can other arcades learn from them about doing well in cities like Ann Arbor?