When arcades VS. home video games, who wins?
Every scientific and technical revolution leads us into a brand new era. Twenty-first Century is a Century of the Internet and personal computer and they gradually take control of our everyday lives. Unlike traditional the physical contact of relationships, they create a new environment for communication which is totally virtual. Online video games then take the advantage and win great popularity since players can not only enjoy the game itself but also communicate with other players virtually without even stepping out of their bedrooms. However, with more and more criticism and discussion about the disadvantages of virtual communication, such as misunderstanding due to the lack of facial expression and gesture and find more here, arcades become a better choice for either play games or for social interaction.
There are several arcades in Fort Collins such as Pinball Jones and All That And A Bag Of Chips. Some of the arcade machines are “antiques” from the 1960s and 1970s which make you feel like you are in the old movie scenes such as Stranger Things and Wreck-It Ralph. You might ask that under the impact of video games, how can arcades make profits and continue to operate?
It can be a shock that instead of bankrupt, they are prosperous. Every weekend, they are busy and crowded. Different kinds of people enjoy playing games there with beer and having fun with friends or family members or colleagues. I interviewed five people there last weekend about their opinions of arcades and video games: 5 people I met at Pinball Jones: arcades VS. video games
About Communication: Although video game at home can be more comfortable and there are more choices of games online, it does not contribute to relationships and communications between people. As we all know that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” otherwise if a person stuck in his room for too long and addicted to video games, he can be a “dull boy” too. Virtual communication online in those video games can be much more easier than in-person interaction since there is lots of uncertainty through the Internet and everyone can wear a mask and hide their true personality behind the screen. Those who are active and talkative during online chatting can be very quiet and shy people in the real life. Therefore the reliability of relationships online can be doubted. If a person used to communicate online; it can be hard for him to communicate in the real life, even with his family. For instance, one can use stickers whenever he feels awkward and has nothing to say during a conversation online, however he can’t use them in the real life and he might not know using which facial expression or gesture to conquer the awkward.
Unlike online communication, when you are in the arcades, you have your company. It can be your friends, family, colleagues, or even the bartender. In this case, games strengthen the relationship between you and other people. It can be a win-win situation that not only can you enjoy the game, but also enjoy the time with people you love. With beer and snacks, you may laugh out loud when your friend make a stupid move in the game or your family may encourage you to cheer up when you lose the game. All those happy moments contribute to a better relationship.
About money: Not to mention that video games can be more expensive than arcades. To play an arcade machine, you may spend 50 cents, 75 cents or a maximum of 1 dollar. However, a single video game can cost you 50 to 60 bucks. Moreover, since video games keep updating and every time you would like to play the newest version or the newest game, you have to pay more and more money on that and fall into a vicious circle which make you addicted to it and always want more therefore ultimately take up all your time. So why not spend fewer money playing games and buy a drink with snacks hanging out with your friends?
About being “old-fashion”: You may say that video games have more complicated scenes and missions to complete which is much more fun than a single old fashioned arcade machine. It’s true that video games are new and always up-to-date and the visual effects are much better now that most of their resolution are high definition(HD). That explains why we can see people of different ages show up in the arcades. Elders are more familiar with arcade machines and young people tend to treat them as antiques. It’s the same circumstance as books after e-book show up. More and more young people like to read e-book on Kindle or other devices for they are more convenient than thick heavy books. Bookstores face the same kind of situation today as arcades. We can never deny the rapid development of technology and we always encourage it, however we can not abandon history neither. Books and arcades are like traditions and histories which represent the important process throughout the history. Instead of playing arcade machines just for fun, most people there are playing them as a kind of feeling which help them re-examine or experience the old times when the Internet and PC haven’t shown up and taken up all people’s time. Arcades can be one of the most popular and fashionable ways of leisure at that time and the mechanical sound can drag people back to that old time which is really a good way to experience the old time.
About future: With the emergence of visual reality (VR), there can be a bright future for arcades. The old arcade games can be improved into virtual reality version with 3Ds. Instead of playing those games individually, they can provide private party room or game room which allow a group of people play games and have fun there. This even provide a chance for those people who love to wear their underwear while playing games since they can do whatever they want to make them feel at home and comfortable in those private rooms (As I said in my previous article). In addition, maybe in the near future, AI or robots can even show up in the arcades. That will be much more fun and will surely make arcades a popular place for people to relax. If you want to know more about the future of arcades: Could the golden age of arcade gaming ever be revived in the Xbox era?; The death of the arcade could mean the future of out-of-home gaming; The life and death of the American arcade.
In conclusion, not only can arcades improve relationships and communication between different people but also they are cheaper and carry a sense of tradition. It’s really a good choice for you to relax and have fun and hang out with people you like in the arcades.
