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SavannahLion:
I guess he brings up some good points but totally misses out on others.
Japan has a greater appreciation for video games and (comic) art. There isn't this stigma attached to enjoying comic books or playing video games (though the stigma on video games is slowly eroding away as the gaming generation grows up, it's still there) like it is here in the U.S. My extended family had no idea I played video games for over twenty five years because my grandmother refused to mention anything about it to anyone. Even did things to prevent me from joining the kids whenever they moved away from the family get-together to play the NES/SNES. On my last gamedev project, I had sketchings of some of the game up in my office wall and it created such a stir (too demonic or too scary) I had to take them down.
The author and people who think like him are just going to have to accept that the U.S. and Japan have two different cultures. All the more supportive argument to have dedicated game developers for each country rather than globalization. I like my Japanese games, but I like my GTA and Half-Life too.
In any case, from what I can see, redemption games are becoming the norm in the U.S. and are easily outweighing typical arcade cabs. I did an informal count at Incredible Johns Pizza and I was getting something like 3-1 on the redemption games vs arcade cabs (not counting kiddie rides). Last arcade I walked into wasn't even an arcade in a true sense, it was more like a damn fair. What's the redemption scene like in Japan?
DJ_Izumi:
I think he's dead on that 'Natural Selection' plays a lot stronger in the arcades because, yes, $.25-$2.00 later you're either gonna say 'That sucked' or 'MORE! :D'. The rest was overly harsh though. Longer games flat out don't work in the arcades because they are built to be a pick up and play experience.
The arcades also have an advantage (or maybe a need) to make their games more like attractions. Light gun rigs, ABS plastic mock up race cars and cockpits, pedaling a freaking BICYCLE to keep yourself in the air. It's a lot of stuff that you can't quite do at home.
Though this was written in 2007 I disagree with his view on Xbox Live Arcade and I've found a lot of gold there in the form of arcade ports. But I must admit most of the XBLA titles I play wern't on XBLA untill 2009. I have light guns and arcade sticks and a racing wheel, I rather enjoy my arcade experience on the home console. :)
Benevolance:
--- Quote ---What's the redemption scene like in Japan?
--- End quote ---
Japanese arcades have entire floors devoted to redemption games. They usually call them Medal Games or something like that, and the prizes tend to be a lot more substantial.
Plus, Japan has pachinko, which is just a different type of redemption game. Because gambling is illegal, you trade any pachinko balls you win for 'prizes' at the parlour. The prizes are usually gaudy trinkets. Down the street is a little store that inexplicably loves to buy these gaudy trinkets for cash.
romshark:
I use quarters on my cab. I collect spare change I find, and convert it up to quarters at work. Also means I can spend some at the real arcade.
A very interesting read. And something I'll have to remember if I get to go to Japan. I guess I've been guilty of doing this, even at the real arcade. I've beaten Police 911, Lost World, and HoTD2, but blew lots of money on each.
But some nights, I play Guilty Gear X Midnight Carnival on the Naomi in my cab on one credit before going to bed. And now that I think about it, it's more fun than blowing $5 just on the final boss of HoTD2 (which is more frustrating than fun).
SavannahLion:
--- Quote from: Benevolance on April 19, 2010, 07:26:12 pm ---<snip>....and the prizes tend to be a lot more substantial.
--- End quote ---
Sometimes one of the prizes around here is usually whatever the latest console is (was a 360 probably a Wii now). How much more substantial could it get?
--- Quote ---Plus, Japan has pachinko, which is just a different type of redemption game. Because gambling is illegal, you trade any pachinko balls you win for 'prizes' at the parlour. The prizes are usually gaudy trinkets. Down the street is a little store that inexplicably loves to buy these gaudy trinkets for cash.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, they crop up from time to time on Craigs. I forgot all about those.