Video Arcades: Where Are They Now?

This article is about the decline in Video Arcade popularity, the reason for this decline, and the future of the Video Arcade industry.

Palm Bay, FL (PRWEB) August 9, 2006 -- Remember when you visited the arcade? You had a few dollars you earned from mowing lawns or the money your mom gave you to keep you busy while she shopped? Afterwards, you had nothing left but a smile and the urge to return as soon as you could. During the height of the arcade era, you could find a video arcade in every mall. Now you'll be hard pressed to find an amusement arcade anywhere. What happened to this booming industry?

Popular pinball machines started to disappear. These were replaced by video games in arcade cabinets and sit-down games, such as, car racing games. With mostly fighting, racing, sports and shooter style games, the Video Arcade struggles to compete with home pc games and video game systems. Role playing and strategy games that are popular with the home system player require extended playing time that is not practical with time limited, coin operated arcade games. This lack of diversity leaves the arcade industry very vulnerable.

Very little, if any, new ideas are being introduced by the Video Arcade industry. Players want something new to remain interested. The variety of video games online and the multitude of online video game stores, makes it very easy for home players. They can play their favorite game in the comfort of their own home. For a relatively low cost, home players can select from hundreds of games online. And, they can play their favorite game as often, and as long as they want. How can the Video Arcade compete?

Some believe, that to compete with home systems, Video Arcades must provide games connected to external networks allowing players to compete against players in other locations. However, Arcades have already fallen far behind. Many multiplayer pc games are already available that provide home players the ability to use the Internet to compete with players worldwide. As a result, the future of the Video Arcade does not look good.

Do a search for "video arcades" and you will see a bleak future. You'll see search results that are mostly businesses that sell or repair arcade machines. You will also find businesses where arcade games are secondary to the primary business product. Video rental stores, bowling centers and pool halls dominate the search results. Another indicator is the increasing number of websites that are selling arcade machines as collector's items. Unless video arcades can provide an innovative and unique product, I believe, their existence will go the same way as the drive-in theater. Gone forever.

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