The Arcade Is Dead?
I'm drawn to IDG's editor weblogs sometimes because, well, they're a strange mix of the articulate and the inarticulate.
This is, again, the case in (GamePro editor) LongHairedOffender's post about the U.S. arcade scene, in which he reaches wondrous levels of rage: "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, to be clear, there's one particular company to blame: "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." Uh, yeah, damn you for widening the arcade market, DDR!
Comments
With micro-transaction business models becoming more attractive, especially for indie game developers, I wonder if we\'ll see someone attempt to create virtual coin-op games - e.g. download the game for free but pay a virtual quarter/Xbox Live points to play each round.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 6, 2006 2:25 AM
http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=550063
Posted by: Anonymous | January 6, 2006 8:32 AM
I am surprised the author chose to bash DDR as the reason arcades died when in fact DDR was considered a factor that actually brough a temporary revival in arcades (until the game pads became avaIible at home), and is stil successful enough to be played a lot, spring some successful offspring by other companies, is used as a part of high schools and colleges (the machines) and seeming from where I live be the game asked the most to be fixed from heavy usage.
I am an avid DDR player, but also enjoy all the other arcade games out there... Star Wars games, the classics like Pac Man, Galaga, etc, but I question as to whether or not you the author played DDR before or just judged it by watching some n00bs on light mode or throwing themselves on Heavy without tryin... experienced players look much better. Please explain the reason for driving your foot through DDR... really good reasons...
Posted by: Travelsonic | January 6, 2006 5:32 PM
This article was as tastfuly and well written... as well the worst tabloid article I have ever seen. Please refrain from writing random crap just to hear your own voice.
Posted by: Lopton | January 8, 2006 8:33 AM
Whether or not it is well written and in good taste is a matter of opinion... please refrain from putting others down because they have a diferet opinion, and respectfully pointed it out instead of what you want - for them to agree. The world works not like that, and people can disagree. If it is not offtopic, it very well is notrandom crap. Thank you for being an idiotic moron.
Posted by: anon | January 8, 2006 12:55 PM