Comments on: Looking At The Past, Present, And Future Of Arcades In Japan http://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/ The secret level in the world of video game news. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: googlehttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-617366 google Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:27:28 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-617366 The rafting arcade game was a huge hit before. Too bad such machines are now nowhere to be seen. I miss it :( The rafting arcade game was a huge hit before. Too bad such machines are now nowhere to be seen. I miss it :(

]]> By: inflatable boathttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-567538 inflatable boat Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:27:28 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-567538 The rafting arcade game was a huge hit before. Too bad such machines are now nowhere to be seen. I miss it :( The rafting arcade game was a huge hit before. Too bad such machines are now nowhere to be seen. I miss it :(

]]> By: higekihttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561970 higeki Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:36:50 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561970 I live in Sendai, Japan. Most of the arcades here are ones you have to drive to. But still, they are often very crowded and very popular with people of all ages. I think what he said about arcades that you have to drive to is a little off. I live in Sendai, Japan. Most of the arcades here are ones you have to drive to. But still, they are often very crowded and very popular with people of all ages. I think what he said about arcades that you have to drive to is a little off.

]]> By: higekihttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698796 higeki Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:36:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698796 I live in Sendai, Japan. Most of the arcades here are ones you have to drive to. But still, they are often very crowded and very popular with people of all ages. I think what he said about arcades that you have to drive to is a little off. I live in Sendai, Japan. Most of the arcades here are ones you have to drive to. But still, they are often very crowded and very popular with people of all ages. I think what he said about arcades that you have to drive to is a little off.

]]> By: lostinbluehttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561690 lostinblue Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:34:39 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561690 @ daizyujin - But... is Tekken 6 out yet? :pEither way I was forgetting "that", thanks.My point was more related to SD systems though, even if we have the high end with stuff like Taito X2 I think we need alternatives to the now defunct Naomi; and for that a current SD machine is needed.It's very positive if both HD competitors manage to get a foothold against Taito X2 though, but that's already high end, IMO. @ daizyujin – But… is Tekken 6 out yet? :p

Either way I was forgetting “that”, thanks.

My point was more related to SD systems though, even if we have the high end with stuff like Taito X2 I think we need alternatives to the now defunct Naomi; and for that a current SD machine is needed.

It’s very positive if both HD competitors manage to get a foothold against Taito X2 though, but that’s already high end, IMO.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698791 Anonymous Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:34:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698791 @ daizyujin - But... is Tekken 6 out yet? :pEither way I was forgetting "that", thanks.My point was more related to SD systems though, even if we have the high end with stuff like Taito X2 I think we need alternatives to the now defunct Naomi; and for that a current SD machine is needed.It's very positive if both HD competitors manage to get a foothold against Taito X2 though, but that's already high end, IMO. @ daizyujin – But… is Tekken 6 out yet? :p

Either way I was forgetting “that”, thanks.

My point was more related to SD systems though, even if we have the high end with stuff like Taito X2 I think we need alternatives to the now defunct Naomi; and for that a current SD machine is needed.

It’s very positive if both HD competitors manage to get a foothold against Taito X2 though, but that’s already high end, IMO.

]]> By: mattyhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561689 matty Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:34:03 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561689 Location is important. Besides the malls, theaters, pizza and burger joints - you had to go out of your way to find that specific game that brought in the crowds at arcades. Fully agree with Brian. Also, and I actually found this interesting. Before Denjin Arcade opened up in L.A., people were discussing on SRK about they knew people who would try to open up arcades and there were so much loopholes and taxes and regulations from the city for just operating an arcade that it made the process an uphill battle and some never fell through. Some of that may be responsible for the shortcomings of arcades. Visit your city halls once in a while, folks. Not only that, but I remember most arcades had games that NEVER WORKED. No care at all for them. They'd sell/toss them and that was the end of that game. I hear in Japan that they stay on top of the conditions of the games and service, so the U.S. can take a note on that if they want to see a revival of the glory days. Other than that, the only thing that brings me to the arcades in the 90s and even now were those big arcade rides (rafting) and House of the Dead games. The book sounds right up my alley, so I'll check it out. It would be cool to see a book documenting the U.S. arcade scene too! Location is important. Besides the malls, theaters, pizza and burger joints – you had to go out of your way to find that specific game that brought in the crowds at arcades. Fully agree with Brian.
Also, and I actually found this interesting. Before Denjin Arcade opened up in L.A., people were discussing on SRK about they knew people who would try to open up arcades and there were so much loopholes and taxes and regulations from the city for just operating an arcade that it made the process an uphill battle and some never fell through. Some of that may be responsible for the shortcomings of arcades. Visit your city halls once in a while, folks.
Not only that, but I remember most arcades had games that NEVER WORKED. No care at all for them. They’d sell/toss them and that was the end of that game. I hear in Japan that they stay on top of the conditions of the games and service, so the U.S. can take a note on that if they want to see a revival of the glory days.
Other than that, the only thing that brings me to the arcades in the 90s and even now were those big arcade rides (rafting) and House of the Dead games.
The book sounds right up my alley, so I’ll check it out. It would be cool to see a book documenting the U.S. arcade scene too!

]]> By: mattyhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698795 matty Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:34:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698795 Location is important. Besides the malls, theaters, pizza and burger joints - you had to go out of your way to find that specific game that brought in the crowds at arcades. Fully agree with Brian. Also, and I actually found this interesting. Before Denjin Arcade opened up in L.A., people were discussing on SRK about they knew people who would try to open up arcades and there were so much loopholes and taxes and regulations from the city for just operating an arcade that it made the process an uphill battle and some never fell through. Some of that may be responsible for the shortcomings of arcades. Visit your city halls once in a while, folks. Not only that, but I remember most arcades had games that NEVER WORKED. No care at all for them. They'd sell/toss them and that was the end of that game. I hear in Japan that they stay on top of the conditions of the games and service, so the U.S. can take a note on that if they want to see a revival of the glory days. Other than that, the only thing that brings me to the arcades in the 90s and even now were those big arcade rides (rafting) and House of the Dead games. The book sounds right up my alley, so I'll check it out. It would be cool to see a book documenting the U.S. arcade scene too! Location is important. Besides the malls, theaters, pizza and burger joints – you had to go out of your way to find that specific game that brought in the crowds at arcades. Fully agree with Brian.
Also, and I actually found this interesting. Before Denjin Arcade opened up in L.A., people were discussing on SRK about they knew people who would try to open up arcades and there were so much loopholes and taxes and regulations from the city for just operating an arcade that it made the process an uphill battle and some never fell through. Some of that may be responsible for the shortcomings of arcades. Visit your city halls once in a while, folks.
Not only that, but I remember most arcades had games that NEVER WORKED. No care at all for them. They’d sell/toss them and that was the end of that game. I hear in Japan that they stay on top of the conditions of the games and service, so the U.S. can take a note on that if they want to see a revival of the glory days.
Other than that, the only thing that brings me to the arcades in the 90s and even now were those big arcade rides (rafting) and House of the Dead games.
The book sounds right up my alley, so I’ll check it out. It would be cool to see a book documenting the U.S. arcade scene too!

]]> By: daizyujinhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561679 daizyujin Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:57:24 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561679 @lostinblueActually, the Namco System 357 is basically nothing but a Playstation 3. That is the hardware that Tekken 6 runs on. @lostinblue

Actually, the Namco System 357 is basically nothing but a Playstation 3. That is the hardware that Tekken 6 runs on.

]]> By: daizyujinhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698794 daizyujin Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:57:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698794 @lostinblueActually, the Namco System 357 is basically nothing but a Playstation 3. That is the hardware that Tekken 6 runs on. @lostinblue

Actually, the Namco System 357 is basically nothing but a Playstation 3. That is the hardware that Tekken 6 runs on.

]]> By: jeffxhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561656 jeffx Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:30:03 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561656 I wanted to buy the book but it's been sold out on amazon.ca for some time... congrats Brian. I wanted to buy the book but it’s been sold out on amazon.ca for some time… congrats Brian.

]]> By: jeffxhttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698793 jeffx Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:30:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698793 I wanted to buy the book but it's been sold out on amazon.ca for some time... congrats Brian. I wanted to buy the book but it’s been sold out on amazon.ca for some time… congrats Brian.

]]> By: lostinbluehttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-561654 lostinblue Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:09:57 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-561654 I think the one, big problem with arcades right now is that their low end alternatives are going nowhere, I mean... Naomi bit the dust (arcade Dreamcast); kaput, no new systems neither GD-ROM's, Atomiswave is out (low end of Naomi, by Sammy), System 246 is pretty much out (arcade PS2), Triforce (Arcade gamecube) and Chihiro (Arcade Xbox) have gone nowhere and... only next gen system with a arcade based cabinet so far is the Wii with only one game for it (Tatsunoko Vs Capcom)... the rest, Lindberg, Type X2 and all... are basically PC's.So, where are the SD low cost alternatives now for current platforms? Low cost hardware, cost effective development costs and stuff? I think that's a big hole when we're still seeing Shmups coming out for the dreamcast every year, it's not only because they want to... but most likely because they don't really have a choice/alternative at this point... Be it in fee's (DC has them non-existent and has arcade cabinets using the same hardware), be it in install base when newer HD platforms have no acceptance, be it through a identity crisis going around "what is a game worth" that tends to shovel SHmups and other arcade standard games into virtual download services as if minigames that aren't worth the full admission price.My point being, before Arcade would make sense as a core platform and would allow the game to spread it's wings on the platforms where it was based at almost cost zero making it easier to recoup costs, now they have to be ported or have to be cross platform from the start, adding more layers of complexity to a business model that isn't making as much money as before, and to small developers in a lot of cases, no less.In that light, I really hope the Wii arcade board gains some kind of aceptance for arcade low-end media in continuing the legacy and providing a choice instead of going high end for such companies, I don't know that much about arcade market and all, sure, but that's still the best vision I could pull for it.Oh, and cheers for the guy who wrote a book about arcades. (sorry for making a wall of text before congratulating him) [and I did read the interview] I think the one, big problem with arcades right now is that their low end alternatives are going nowhere, I mean… Naomi bit the dust (arcade Dreamcast); kaput, no new systems neither GD-ROM’s, Atomiswave is out (low end of Naomi, by Sammy), System 246 is pretty much out (arcade PS2), Triforce (Arcade gamecube) and Chihiro (Arcade Xbox) have gone nowhere and… only next gen system with a arcade based cabinet so far is the Wii with only one game for it (Tatsunoko Vs Capcom)… the rest, Lindberg, Type X2 and all… are basically PC’s.

So, where are the SD low cost alternatives now for current platforms? Low cost hardware, cost effective development costs and stuff? I think that’s a big hole when we’re still seeing Shmups coming out for the dreamcast every year, it’s not only because they want to… but most likely because they don’t really have a choice/alternative at this point… Be it in fee’s (DC has them non-existent and has arcade cabinets using the same hardware), be it in install base when newer HD platforms have no acceptance, be it through a identity crisis going around “what is a game worth” that tends to shovel SHmups and other arcade standard games into virtual download services as if minigames that aren’t worth the full admission price.

My point being, before Arcade would make sense as a core platform and would allow the game to spread it’s wings on the platforms where it was based at almost cost zero making it easier to recoup costs, now they have to be ported or have to be cross platform from the start, adding more layers of complexity to a business model that isn’t making as much money as before, and to small developers in a lot of cases, no less.

In that light, I really hope the Wii arcade board gains some kind of aceptance for arcade low-end media in continuing the legacy and providing a choice instead of going high end for such companies, I don’t know that much about arcade market and all, sure, but that’s still the best vision I could pull for it.

Oh, and cheers for the guy who wrote a book about arcades. (sorry for making a wall of text before congratulating him) [and I did read the interview]

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/11/looking-at-the-past-present-and-future-of-arcades-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-698792 Anonymous Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:09:00 +0000 http://www.siliconera.com/?p=25636#comment-698792 I think the one, big problem with arcades right now is that their low end alternatives are going nowhere, I mean... Naomi bit the dust (arcade Dreamcast); kaput, no new systems neither GD-ROM's, Atomiswave is out (low end of Naomi, by Sammy), System 246 is pretty much out (arcade PS2), Triforce (Arcade gamecube) and Chihiro (Arcade Xbox) have gone nowhere and... only next gen system with a arcade based cabinet so far is the Wii with only one game for it (Tatsunoko Vs Capcom)... the rest, Lindberg, Type X2 and all... are basically PC's.So, where are the SD low cost alternatives now for current platforms? Low cost hardware, cost effective development costs and stuff? I think that's a big hole when we're still seeing Shmups coming out for the dreamcast every year, it's not only because they want to... but most likely because they don't really have a choice/alternative at this point... Be it in fee's (DC has them non-existent and has arcade cabinets using the same hardware), be it in install base when newer HD platforms have no acceptance, be it through a identity crisis going around "what is a game worth" that tends to shovel SHmups and other arcade standard games into virtual download services as if minigames that aren't worth the full admission price.My point being, before Arcade would make sense as a core platform and would allow the game to spread it's wings on the platforms where it was based at almost cost zero making it easier to recoup costs, now they have to be ported or have to be cross platform from the start, adding more layers of complexity to a business model that isn't making as much money as before, and to small developers in a lot of cases, no less.In that light, I really hope the Wii arcade board gains some kind of aceptance for arcade low-end media in continuing the legacy and providing a choice instead of going high end for such companies, I don't know that much about arcade market and all, sure, but that's still the best vision I could pull for it.Oh, and cheers for the guy who wrote a book about arcades. (sorry for making a wall of text before congratulating him) [and I did read the interview] I think the one, big problem with arcades right now is that their low end alternatives are going nowhere, I mean… Naomi bit the dust (arcade Dreamcast); kaput, no new systems neither GD-ROM’s, Atomiswave is out (low end of Naomi, by Sammy), System 246 is pretty much out (arcade PS2), Triforce (Arcade gamecube) and Chihiro (Arcade Xbox) have gone nowhere and… only next gen system with a arcade based cabinet so far is the Wii with only one game for it (Tatsunoko Vs Capcom)… the rest, Lindberg, Type X2 and all… are basically PC’s.

So, where are the SD low cost alternatives now for current platforms? Low cost hardware, cost effective development costs and stuff? I think that’s a big hole when we’re still seeing Shmups coming out for the dreamcast every year, it’s not only because they want to… but most likely because they don’t really have a choice/alternative at this point… Be it in fee’s (DC has them non-existent and has arcade cabinets using the same hardware), be it in install base when newer HD platforms have no acceptance, be it through a identity crisis going around “what is a game worth” that tends to shovel SHmups and other arcade standard games into virtual download services as if minigames that aren’t worth the full admission price.

My point being, before Arcade would make sense as a core platform and would allow the game to spread it’s wings on the platforms where it was based at almost cost zero making it easier to recoup costs, now they have to be ported or have to be cross platform from the start, adding more layers of complexity to a business model that isn’t making as much money as before, and to small developers in a lot of cases, no less.

In that light, I really hope the Wii arcade board gains some kind of aceptance for arcade low-end media in continuing the legacy and providing a choice instead of going high end for such companies, I don’t know that much about arcade market and all, sure, but that’s still the best vision I could pull for it.

Oh, and cheers for the guy who wrote a book about arcades. (sorry for making a wall of text before congratulating him) [and I did read the interview]

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