Arcades: Then and Now – The Gamer in me GL-19

Flashback childhood

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It hasn’t been happening in every city, but I happen to live in one of the most progressive cities in North America.  In 2017 three new modern Arcades have opened in Toronto.  Two of them are owned and operated by Cineplex.  The Rec Room across from the Rogers centre, and the new Arcade plus VR experience in Scotiabank theatre.  The third modern Arcade recently opened at Nations Fresh Foods flagship store in the Stockyards.  That’s right, a grocery store is attached to a modern Arcade.  If you are familiar with the Dave and Buster’s entertainment centres, then you will have a good idea of what these Arcades are like.  These aren’t the dark, cramped, concrete floored teenage Hangouts from when we were kids.  These are spacious, clean, carpeted gaming dens.  Appealing to kids, and adults of all ages.  You can find everything from Skee ball to Virtual Reality games.

Satisfying but not the same

To say that I miss the camaraderie, and competition that was present every time I used to visit the local Arcade as a kid would be an understatement.  Showcasing your gaming skills to both friends, and total strangers was immensely gratifying.  It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment that today’s video games can’t recreate.  Even though today’s technology is leaps and bounds beyond what we grew up playing.  The same technology has made it possible to spend hours mastering a game in the comfort of our own home.  The games you can play at these modern Arcades are in Full HD, with cutting edge graphics.  They have elaborate housings with theatre quality sound, and modern control mechanisms.  Some of them are even in Virtual Reality.  Strolling into one of today’s modern Arcades, and dominating at your game of choice would really be something.  It would be something if you couldn’t essentially do the exact same thing at home.  We all have Full HD televisions.  Computer or Console Game systems are capable of running the most advanced games.  Joysticks, steering wheels, Flight simulator controllers, and gaming chairs can make you feel like you are in total control of the action.  You can even buy Virtual Reality headsets.  So when you see someone dominating at your favourite game in a modern Arcade.  It’s probably safe to assume that they’ve played something almost identical at home.  Is it enjoyable to dominate at a particular game? Sure it is.  Is it impressive to watch someone else dominate a video game?  It is as well.  The one thing that’s missing is the satisfaction, and respect that goes along with the understanding of what it took to get that good at playing that game.

Time and Money

What made mastering a game at the Arcade when we were kids so special?  It was the understanding from everyone present that you had to make numerous trips to the Arcade, and spend a shit load of quarters to become that good.  You made a decision to not only play that particular game.  You decided to keep playing it until you weren’t just good at it.  You were on a quest to be the best.  If it took you having to go to the Arcade every day after school, and all of your allowance to beat that game.  Then that’s what you were going to do.  We were so respectful of what it required to master a game.  When somebody would defeat me at a game like Mortal Kombat, or beat my high score on Elevator Action.  I wouldn’t be upset.  I’d be in awe, and congratulate them.

 ESports and Competitive Video Gaming

The emergence of ESports, and Competitive Video Gaming has tried to recreate the feeling of Video Game dominance we had as kids.  I believe that this has led to the sudden increase of modern Arcades popping up.  Try as they might.  Modern Competitive Video Gaming will never have the same satisfaction as slaying the Dragon and saving Princess Daphne in front of about 20 onlookers at your local Arcade.  It doesn’t matter how much money goes to the Champion, or if the event is live on Cable television.  Just knowing that all it took the eventual winner to be as skilled at the game as they are.  Was hours upon hours of game play.  Sitting alone in their bedroom or basement.  Closed off from the rest of the world.  Well physically closed off.  They probably have more “friends” online then you had students in your High school.  Does that really sound like victory to you?  If that person defeated you at your favourite Video game.  Would you be in awe, and congratulate them?  Maybe it’s just me.  Maybe I’m just too old school.  I wouldn’t congratulate them.  Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t care.

Fun with a capital F

Now here’s the thing.  It’s probably sounding like I’ve got a pretty serious hate on for the Modern Arcade.  Quite the opposite in fact.  I thoroughly enjoy them.  I see them for what they are.  Another option in a city full of options, of something to do when you’ve got a little free time.  You can spend as little, or as long as you’d like at an Arcade.  Unlike the movies or dinner where you are committed to a certain length of time.  How much you choose to spend is entirely up to you as well.  There’s no entry fee, or cover charge.  Just do whatever your budget allows.  Can’t find a babysitter for the kids?  No worries.  They’ll enjoy the Arcade even more than you do.  It’s quite literally a win-win situation.  So if you haven’t done it yet.  The next time you are trying to decide what to do on the weekend.  Give one of the Modern Arcades a try.  It won’t be what you remember, but you won’t be disappointed.

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