Jello wrote:
] flynn23 wrote:
] ] ] There was a time when an arcade operator in America could
] ] ] buy a Ms. Pac-Man machine for less than $1,000, let it
] ] ] sit in an arcade, bar or storefront, and see that game
] ] ] make back over 30 times the initial investment. In 2004,
] ] ] that kind of profit margin is little more than a pipe
] ] ] dream.
] ] ]
] ] ] Since 2001, Midway completely shut down its arcade
] ] ] division, Konami closed its U.S. arcade operations, and
] ] ] Capcom did not even support its most recent title, Capcom
] ] ] vs, SNK 2, in the U.S., instead handing the game over to
] ] ] Sega for sales and marketing purposes.
]
] I went to Vancouver recently. They still had the old style
] street arcade. Like in malls in the 80s. That it was tied
] into a video peep show did not detract from the sentimental
] feelings it invoked in me. That I ran out of quarters, did.

Sentimental is the right word for it. It's one of those really fuzzy things about being a teen in the 80s in suburbia that you can't really explain to people. Which is why I enjoyed Donnie Darko so much I guess.

Thank God for MAME32!!! Crank up the Rush and go for the power ups!

RE: State of the U.S. Arcade Industry 2004