Very interesting article

[Mr. X]

Very interesting. What do you all think? I haven't gone through all of it right now, but through a good part, I'll finish it later today.

I'll post my thoughts later on.

http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1526151,00.asp

[SciFi Chick]

They will go the way of drive in theatres, as will theatres themselves...

[Tito_Muerte]

I agree

[Madcat]

Disagree. There are games, lightgun and fighter in particular, that are just not as entertaining at home. There are others, like air hockey and skee-ball that are just about unattainable. Not to mention the whole "look at my l33t skillz" factor of arcades.

[Normandy6644]

Disagree. There are games, lightgun and fighter in particular, that are just not as entertaining at home. There are others, like air hockey and skee-ball that are just about unattainable. Not to mention the whole "look at my l33t skillz" factor of arcades.

True. Plus the driving games really have no equal. Go 18 Wheeler!!

[Humphrey]

Dead and dieing in the U.S> except for some small time machines and arcades in poopular markets. But the time of Arcades in every town filled to the brim with kids and single adults was sklowly being murdered when NES and genesis came out.

The killing blow to me was when they strated to release Arcade games for the consoles.

But then again Japan's arcade industry is not only huge, its still growing bigtime.

[Mr. X]

Causes of downfall (according to me):

#1 Problem - PRICE!
What the hell! I mean it costs like a dollar or more for less than 1 (ONE!) minute of play! How do you expect anyone to stay and play at that price? 1 dollar per minute is 60 dollars per hour! Most people don't even make that much!

#1 solution: FIX THE PRICES! Bring the top, brand spanking new ones to 25 cents, and the old busted up ones to 5 cents, and maybe they'll see some action.

#2 Problem - Game concepts!
They have messed up the very nature of the arcade game: quick, mindless bursts of action! Translated to a console or pc game it should be a very poor game, just like any pc/console game should make a very poor arcade game. Nobody wants an arcade game with complicated controls, arcane objectives and a complex storyline! Truth is nobody gives a damn! It should be simple, fast and furious! Simple controls, simple point! We don't need/shouldn't wander around looking for the third part of a puzzle that opens a door that leads to another door with a similar puzzle! BLOW THE DOOR AWAY IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IN AN ARCADE GAME!

#2 solution: Fix the games, go back to the roots of the arcade.

#3 Problem - Flashy gimmicks!
If an arcade game uses a standard gamepad, or something that can be easily translated to a standard gamepad then it's not a good arcade game! We need fancy gimmicks! Like dance dance revolution has! Like the guns the shooters have! Force feedback wheels and moving seats in driving games! Think of something new too! Arcades have the luxury of being a single purpose machines with lots of space around... USE IT! Cool guns with recoil! Moving action flight games like that old SEGA one that could get upside down but less expensive! Use devices that belong in the real things, like in games with tanks and the like!

#3 solution: Think of new extreme peripherals! Things that can't be brought home without a significant investment.

#4 Problem - Multiplay!
What the hell is up with single player games in arcades! These have no purpose! Every game should be able to multiplay! Gun games with 4/6/8 people with a giant screen! Think of ways to put people INTO the game WITH others! Not alone against the computer! Against real live people next to you!

#4 solution: Better multiplay. Nuff said.

[Gmann]

Good stuff Mr. X. There are some arcade places that are beginning to diversify, and offer more than just games. The industry is going to evolve. I remember bowling alleys as a child, you went there and bowled a few games. Now, they have Rock 'n' Bowl, Casino Nite, various "tournaments" that require no real skill, meaning anyone can win, the list goes on. The bottom line is that the ones that adapted are doing well, the ones that didn't are parking lots for the arcade that used to be next door. The arcades that come up with the big idea that will bring people through the door are going to take the lead, everyone else will follow, then it will change again.

[Kebsis]

Arcades are dying. There just isn't a whole lot that arcades can do that you can't do for far cheaper at home on your playstation for far cheaper. Recent console and computer games actually look better than their arcade conterparts. The only thing arcades have going for them are the games with weird gimmicks like dance dance revolution, but building those massive machines makes the game cost a ton to play. What the arcades have going for them just isn't enough to keep them floating anymore imo.

[HAVOC451]

Arcades will not die.
It's not about the games.
It's about the "hanging out."

[xbck1]

Too true what you said about the prices Mr. X. If they brought them down they'd actually make moremoney than they would if they kept raising the prices. More people would come in and play the games because it's cheaper than buying a console (-+$150) and a new game ($50). Besides, with an arcade you can play for a little bit and then just get off or you can pump quarters in it like there's no tomorrow. It's still cheaper than buying a console and game because everyone pays a small fee to play. That means that you don't have to plunk down a gob of cash every time you want to play a new game (they don't even rent games in Japan! Think of that! ;))

Unfortunately, I'm one of the unprivelidged many who was born too late. I didn't get to see the golden age of arcades or video games. :(

[ToSeek]

Sounds more as if it's not as easy to make an arcade profitable as it was, not that it's impossible. As in so many other areas, things are just getting more competitive. You can't just plop down some electronic game and expect to make money off it - it's got to be a suitable game at a reasonable price in the sort of environment people want. Places like Dave & Buster's are providing that and are doing just fine. But - as others have pointed out - you can't just plop down a game people can play at home and try to charge them a dollar a minute for it. But D&B has games like a snowmobile race where you climb into something shaped pretty much like a snowmobile and are thrown about as you steer along the course. Unless you're Donald Trump, you're not going to have one of those at home.