How long do you think DIY arcades will continue as a hobby?

[shponglefan]

I was thinking about how it seems like we're in a bit of a golden age for the DIY arcade hobbyist.  Not only from a software side (I don't think I could have believed something like MAME would exist), but also a hardware side.  We have all these entrepreneurs continuing to innovate and come up with all these hardware solutions that make a lot of what we do possible.  Even having started out about a decade ago building CPs, I couldn't imagine the plethora of options these days.

But I have a feeling it's not sustainable in the long run.  Most of what fuels this DIY arcade industry is those who grew up with arcades.  The "arcade" generation of the late 70's, 80's and early 90's has grown up and are now fueling this niche industry.  But like all nostalgia cycles, it eventually will run out.  And there's nobody to take their place.  So I imagine that in a decade or two, we could start seeing a dramatic decline both for this hobby and industry.

A little sad to think about, but it makes me appreciate things now moreso.

[jenzett]

yeah you are probably right about that... kids nowadays  most likely will not be able to appreciate arcade cabinets, since they a) are practically nonexistent and b) video games are easily and "for free" accessible anywhere, anyplace.

When I was young, arcade cabinets were something really special to me, especially since they were not allowed to be played by minors in Germany and therefore I only was able to play them on holidays abroad, what made it just more special.

Me and my brother would often save up change for the last day of holiday and try to play through Metal Slug or other arcade games... really fun times and the reason I now design and build my own cabinet... maybe when I have children of my own, they will consider arcade cabinets as special as I do

[CoryBee]

I was only ever able to play arcades at the liquor store down the street from me, I am 24 now, there were 3 -4 and the owner switched them out every 6 months to a year. I remember playing Metal Slug all day, the guy behind the counter hated my brothers and I because we would bring it a ton of loose change, mostly pennies, to change into quarters.

I know I will be building MAME cabinets for some time, for customers and for my nieces and nephews. Maybe my own kids one day, so there will be that. They will still be around when all you old folks can't lift a hammer anymore, just not as much I suppose. Hopefully our kin will pick up the trade and impress their friends and family with the super "old school" video games.

[DeLuSioNal29]

That's why it's important to have kids and teach them to play the classics. :-)

[ark_ader]

It is burned deep in our culture, and with movies like Wreak it Ralph, just keeps the nostalgia alive.

Next year I will find a retired cabinet maker and get him to make flat pack arcade cabinets and sell them at $100, but in bulk.

There will always be a market for them, since it is such a chore making it yourself, especially if you live in an apartment.

Especially if you make them apartment/wife/wallet friendly.

We need to keep people like Randy and Andy busy making money and coming up with new arcade innovations.   

[eds1275]

Especially if you make them apartment/wife/wallet friendly.

Totally. One of the great things about this hobby is that you can make a cab using a free computer, $50 worth of parts, and one sheet of MDF if you make a bartop/mini standup. That's $50 to get a taste of what there is to offer - hell you could even do that and build it into a cereal box and sit in front of your existing computer. And then of course the sky is the limit when it comes to how much you can spend on aesthetics alone - not to mention different types of controls varying in function and quality and personal preference.

Part of this hobby for me has been bonding with my nephews working together on a project (making a small arcade machine, and then designing and programming a game based on the cabinet.) Am I a professional woodworker or computer programmer? Hell no. I've got some woodworking chops but the last time I programmed something it was in basic 2.0 on a c64. But with the internet as a resource and the time to work on it we can get it done.

[mcseforsale]

The biggest problem I see is not many people actually DO stuff anymore.  Our entire society has been made into consumers, instead of constructors.  When I tell my neighbors/friends/colleagues/whatever that I'm doing my own basement, or making an arcade, they think I'm nutz.

My dad had us swinging hammers and building stuff when we were 8 or so.  There was always a project and he was always working on something.

Nowadays, most kids sit and stare at the idiot box or computer screen txt talking and vegging out. 

The one bright spot was a neighbor walked by with his kids last week and we started talking about the basement project and pool tables and arcades and he asked if I had one.  So, off to the garage.  Apparently he'd been thinking about this for some time, but had taken up stained glass  and was now considering it.  I think when I do my bartop, I'll cut some extra panels for him. 

AJ

[Le Chuck]

Next year I will find a retired cabinet maker and get him to make flat pack arcade cabinets and sell them at $100, but in bulk.

before or after you finish your recent build(s)? 

[shponglefan]

It is burned deep in our culture, and with movies like Wreak it Ralph, just keeps the nostalgia alive.

To be honest, I think movies like that are just a sign of the 80's nostalgia cycle (as are other movies like Transformers, GI Joe, Smurfs, etc),  Given another half decade, and I think we'll start seeing the 90's nostalgia take over... which sadly is not going to include arcades.. 

[eds1275]

To be honest, I think movies like that are just a sign of the 80's nostalgia cycle (as are other movies like Transformers, GI Joe, Smurfs, etc)

I haven't seen a tranformers movie since the last one came out in 1984. I saw a movie with the same name, but it was a love story and there were some robots that looked like bunches of wire. 


I think the hobby will live on. My nephews are into competitive gaming (not professionally, but going crazy to beat a high score.) My niece and I are building a cab this summer which we designed together and she is really into the puzzle games. I think that not only will arcade machine building come back, but arcades themselves - running more modern games in slim cabs.

[BobA]

Hopefully arcade games will be a bit like bicycles.  They will probably be around for a long time but they may change as technology advances.

[mcseforsale]

Here in the south, it seems like there are 2 types of arcades.  One is usually built as part of a larger complex with bowling and/or lazer tag.  Our development group goes a couple times a year for a day and bowl, lazer tag and do some gaming.

The second is a Dave and Busters type facility where dinner is served around a giant arcade with the latest interactive games and simulators.  Both usually have some old school flavor tucked in a corner somewhere.

AJ

[sdweim85]

I feel like things would be different if arcades in general weren't so costly.  I'm a 90s kid and I enjoy games from that era.  I have friends who are younger that want to get into his hobby but enjoy the newer Jap version arcades like the astro cabs, and vewlix stuff.  But its wayyyyy overpriced.

[keilmillerjr]

Here in the south, it seems like there are 2 types of arcades.  One is usually built as part of a larger complex with bowling and/or lazer tag.  Our development group goes a couple times a year for a day and bowl, lazer tag and do some gaming.

The second is a Dave and Busters type facility where dinner is served around a giant arcade with the latest interactive games and simulators.  Both usually have some old school flavor tucked in a corner somewhere.

AJ

We have a Dave and Busters here in RI. It's not a real arcade though. There isn't a single pinball machine, and zero machines with a joystick. Sure there are Daytona games and crusin USA spinoffs... But who gives a ---fudgesicle---. It agrivates me. I only know of one other arcade left and its all kids ticket crap now. No longer any initial d or golden axe.

[SavannahLion]

Short of a major economic meltdown or social collapse the custom fabrication of arcade cabinets and the related industries are unlikely to disappear entirely. I have greater concern for the long term stability of the collector (eg KLOV) than I do the DIY hobbyist.

But I digress, the DIY arcade isn't going to disappear. For example, as a child, Meyers Manx bodies or their clones were everywhere in the summers. By the time I turned 16, they all but disappeared. Other styles came into vogue and for years I thoroughly believed I would never see one again until just last year. I spotted a local Manx and to my surprise it was accompanied by a more modern "mate". I still much prefer the older style but that was proof enough that there are people out there that still have interest.

You can find the same kind of parallel occurrence in nearly every DIY hobby. Things swing up and down. But in the long run, someone, somewhere will continue to have an interest and keep the hobby alive. It may even change, drastically. So much that it might become nearly unrecognizable by those in the earlier era. Google 19th century paper-mache boats, suits or sabots to see what I mean. I doubt the vast majority of people who play with paper mache today would know what was done with it in the past and those in the past would imagine how we use (or don't use) mache today.

[Serling1979]

I do agree that arcade generation is getting older. And the first thing that comes to mind is the diner scene in Back to the Futrue II.


Marty McFly: [showing the two boys how to play the shoot 'em up video game] I'll show you, kid. I'm a crack shot at this.
[shoots a perfect score with the electronic gun]
Video Game Boy #1: You mean you have to use your hands?
Video Game Boy #2: That's like a baby's toy!


And the fact that the story takes place, at least partially, in 2015 is kind of interesting as well (I am still hoping for a Hoverboard!). But will this be the end of arcade cabinets and mame? I don't really think so. It will become even more of a niche hobby over the years. Our kids nephews, and nieces will grow up with arcade cabinets. It will be part of their childhood. And they will invite friends. I believe that while arcade games in stores and malls will grow fewer over the years, but not in garages and game rooms.

When I first saw an arcade machine, I just stared at its beauty (If I remember correctly it was Final Fight). It was easy to understand, you had to pay for the right to play it and that was part of the beauty. It wasn't all graphics. It was all about the experience that simply is not the same on a PS3 or a XBox360. Not that these consoles are bad. It is just a very different experience. And it made you feel like an adult. You were in control and not only of the game. You paid for it. You decided what to play with your quarter. This is exactly what I intend to do with my children. No, I won't take money from them.  I will give them some tokens (maybe 5 or 6) and just let them play. There will be occasional free play times. They'll play games and will learn how to spend real money.

In my opinion, this is what makes this hobby so especially enticing. For us it is the nostalgia of our childhood spent in arcades and for the next generation it will be the nostalgia of the kids' time spent in game rooms and garages. As eds1275 said, you don't have to spend a lot of money. It is basically a hobby that is like most of the classic games: "easy to learn, hard to master".

[ark_ader]

Next year I will find a retired cabinet maker and get him to make flat pack arcade cabinets and sell them at $100, but in bulk.

before or after you finish your recent build(s)? 

Yeah I think I will not go the extra mile and put the monkey island artwork on the weecade and keep it for a proper build.  Someone I know is eyeing the cab so it looks like it will be a Christmas gift. The android is still here, parts in hand and yes I have wood. 

It is just finding the time with work and Uni......

I have been in contact with two retired fellows that is basically walking up and down finding something to do. Those are the types you need to get flat packs done, besides I'm sure it would be more fun than untangling telephone wire.

We have a Dave and Busters here in RI. It's not a real arcade though. There isn't a single pinball machine, and zero machines with a joystick. Sure there are Daytona games and crusin USA spinoffs... But who gives a ---fudgesicle---. It agrivates me. I only know of one other arcade left and its all kids ticket crap now. No longer any initial d or golden axe.

I have a seaside arcade near me that is open year round and has more gamblers than ticket games.  There are some video games, but I bet if the guy stocked the place with classic video games, the foot traffic would be higher than the gambling scene.  The place has more atmosphere than Flint's.  But try telling that to an owner/operator.