Communication and technology in the wild

Technology has been engulfed into our daily lives that we, more often than not, do not notice how much we are actually using it. From the midterm, we got the chance to see what life would be like if we were not able to use any type of technology whenever we wanted to. We use our phones, cars, TV, laptop, iPad, Bluetooth and countless other devices throughout the day without thinking twice about it. We use technology in almost everything we do, so much so that technology no longer seems like an addition to our lives but an attachment. After completing our 6 hour binge without technology, we were offered the opportunity to experience a place or event that technology was being observed or completely apart of it. We were asked to observe the place, the people, the environment, and the way all of it came together around the visual media. By doing this, we get to see the difference that media makes whenever it is being used or watched.

I choose to do my paper on Boxcar Bar and Arcade because before transferring to North Carolina State University, I had not been to a bar in which you played video games all while drinking and interacting with others. Before going to Boxcar, I was not sure what to expect. I figured that they would have irrelevant games with a boring atmosphere and that the excitement behind this particular bar was over exaggerated. I was expecting Boxcar to be similar to Dave and Busters in the way that the games are set up as well as the child-like feel it gives off. However, I received the exact opposite. I went with a group of friends on Thursday night thinking that not many people would be there but I was wrong about that, too. The atmosphere felt like a normal bar except with a multiple video games and arcade games that you play with tokens. Upon arriving, each person I was with was offered one free popcorn per person. To receive tokens, you must either purchase an alcoholic beverage or put cash into a machine that gives you tokens depending on the amount of money you deposited. Once you have your tokens, you’re free to play any of the games that include Pac-Man, Mario Cart, and Pinball, Wizard of Oz, hockey foosball, Skeeball. Since the majority of the games had gaming lights, the bar didn’t use and other means of lighting. They used the neon lights from the games to their advantage to make the place feel more laid back. The vibes of the bar came from the lighting, the people, and the noises. Throughout the night you were heard coins being collected, the sounds of balls rolling, people talking, games being won, and the overall sounds of the games. There was music playing in the background but because the games were so loud, you could only hear it if you were listening for it. The architectural details made the bar feel more inviting and age appropriate. The majority of the walls inside were made of brick while some of the other walls had game-like cartoons painted on them. The celling was made up of shown air pipes that gave the bar an industrial feel. Even though the bar was packed with plenty of people, the staff and bartenders played a key role in attending to their customers quickly that made the environment more laid back than rushed. The workers at Boxcar have a big part in making the experience you have there a good one. Throughout the night, there was always someone available to serve you, assist you, and help fix the machines when one stopped working correctly. While the majority of the people working there are behind the bar and at the door checking ID’s, there was one or two employees walking around to ensure that the place stayed clean and the games were in working order. The bar also allowed dogs inside and a few people brought them. By allowing dogs, it gave the bar stand out from all of the others in a way that made it feel less “city” and more hometown like. They had several beers with a few select specials going on during the time we were there. Outside of the bar, there is a patio with strung lights, picnic tables, and several free games that you could play while you mingled. One of the games was a life size jenga. All of the games within the bar were that of the 90’s or older that enabled you to connect with your childhood and the memories you had when you were younger. Based on the lay out of the bar and the overall vibes, I would say that the medium is being consumed the way it was intended to. I believe that the games are meant to be consumed as a conversation starter as well as light game playing. The intention behind having games at a bar is to enhance your drinking experience and to provide you with a new scene.

After being in Boxcar for an extended amount of time and really observing the atmosphere, you can tell that the history of the medium is very obvious. The history of the medium is presented through the condition of the games and the type of games they are. Before going to Boxcar, I pictured the bar having a variety of Xbox games and Wii games as well but the games are all older. None of the games at Boxcar have been created recently but it seemed that people were more interested in them because of that. You’re able to see the history of how the games have developed over time because you go from using everyday updated technology to playing games that were created over a decade ago. It makes you realize how much has changed throughout our history when you go from playing Pac-Man in a bar, to immediately texting on your iPhone 6s. I believe that the main reason that Boxcar is such a popular trend is because of the history of the games they have in there. Being able to play games that you played when you were a kid while doing adult things such as drinking makes people drawn to this environment. The games such as Mario Cart and Jurassic Park are still in the video machine from when it was created instead of trying to make them appear more modern which shows you more about the history of the games. By showcasing these games in their true form and not altering them to fit our “21st century” image, they are giving everyone a chance to be a part of a video gaming and the history of how it all started.

During my experience at Boxcar, I noticed that even though the bar was packed and everyone wanted to play games, everyone waited their turn. It was unspoken throughout the entire bar that if you were standing near a game for a long period of time, then you were next in line to play. No one seemed to get angry or cause confrontation over the games because of the unspoken social rules that came along with it. By social ques, it was clear who was interested in what game and who was there with the intention to play games verses interact with other people. The majority of people stood outside on the patio and enjoyed the other games that were out there instead of trying to play the games that several people were surrounding. At the bar however, I didn’t see any written rules that told you what you could and could not do. The unspoken rules seemed to be well known across the board and it seemed as though everyone was following them. People played one round of each game and then moved so the person waiting would have a turn. There was a guy playing Pac Man for the entire night but after talking to people I learned that he was a regular that came quite frequently trying to beat his score each time. Other than this game, I got a chance to play almost all of the games in there because people were encouraging everyone to play together instead of sticking with their group of friends. I noticed several people either making bets about the games they were playing or competing with those nearby to see who won. One of the things I noticed was that two guys were racing each other to see who could score the most in Skeeball in the shortest amount of time. Other people in the bar noticed it too and decided to cheer them on and watch. Since there are several of those machines beside each other, other people decided they wanted to join the bet as well. By the people followed the unspoken rules and the way everyone was open to playing with strangers, it changed my opinion of the social status of gaming as a whole. The only time I have been around or seen video games being played is from a distance. I for one, have not played any games other than Guitar Hero and Wii fit so I had formed a stereotypical thought process based on television shows about those who played video games and went to places such as Boxcar. I categorized gaming and Boxcar with those who played games regularly and those who took games seriously. I was surprised about the difference of the social status from what I expected it to be and what it was. The people that were at Boxcar ranged in age, social status, and appearance. I expected the majority of those that were there to be guys, however, there was just as many females as there were males. The age seemed to range between early twenties and mid to late thirties.

Along with everything else that Boxcar had to offer, they have certain nights of the week that are considered certain game nights. On Monday’s at Boxcar, they have air hockey competitions that gets not only the people who work there involved but the community as well. It gives people a chance to get more involved with the gaming system that is available as well as get people connected and interacting.

I think by me choosing to study Boxcar, I was able to get the full effect of being aware of the technology in the environment around me. Since I’m accustomed to bars without games or anything related to that concept, I noticed the games that much more. Most of the other events would have been hard for me to separate and think outside of the box about the technology that was provided. By doing this, it was so out of the ordinary for me to see a bar of this type that I focused more on the difference of a bar without technology verses this bar with technology. It was prevalent that it improved the mood of the bar, the conversations, and the fun. By having those games available, it was easier to start and keep the conversation going with the people around you. It created a bond between you and the stranger because you either had something in common or you were able to discuss memories of when you previously played the game. The ability to play games makes you feel like a kid and a grown up at simultaneously. It was interesting to see people in this environment absorbing this type of visual media. Along with my friends, I told a few of the people I met throughout the night about my paper I was having to write and the theory of it. Each of them stated that they were surprised that they didn’t notice the way people were engaging in the media before I mentioned it. It gave a new perspective on how we as humans use technology and visual media when you get to witness other people interacting with it as an outsider.