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Arcade Wars of the 80s
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dgame:
I have been researching the arcade scene from when I was growing up and I did  not realize (at the time) how big a fight the arcades got.

From a 1982 Miami Herald Article:


--- Quote ---"I have even been in these game rooms myself. I did not play the games, for the same reason I did not gamble when I was in Puerto Rico." -- Ronnie Lamm, Brookhaven, N.Y., mother and leader of a successful drive to limit the spread of video-game arcades in her town.

Buried in that seeming non sequitur is a moral message and, perhaps, memories of a close call for Mrs. Lamm in the vice pits of the Caribbean. For in video games, she told The New York Times not long ago, she sees forces "corrupting our youth. They are not wholesome. They mesmerize our children, they addict them..."

In the language of an unabashed square, Lamm views with alarm. And she is not alone. From New Hampshire to Florida (Pembroke Pines and Coral Gables, locally), concerned citizens have taken action to limit access to or ban outright the video menace.
--- End quote ---

Link to Full Article "YEH, BUT YOU CAN'T DANCE TO PAC-MAN"
RayB:
Yup, this type of over-the-top ignorant rhetoric went on in pretty much all cities and towns and really help spur on the death of arcades.

Coin into slot = gambling

Standing, staring, expressionless because you're focused on the game = zombie-like addiction trance

etc... Mix in the dark lighting, possible drug pushers in poorly policed areas, etc and you had a recipe for "OH NOES! Won't somebody think of the children!!" bi-laws like age limits, permit limits, distance from schools limits, etc, etc.


isucamper:
That sounds like MY mom!

Man, that brings back memories.  She was convinced that arcades where the hangouts of drug dealers and child molesters... so during the heyday of the arcade, it was a rare occastion that I actually got to go into one.

Which... of course, probably contributed to an obsession which still persists today now that I'm 30 years old.  An obsession so intense that now I'm building a fricking arcade machine to put in my basement.

Also, I would argue that the Sony Playstation had more to do with the death of the arcade than these misinformed (but well intentioned) mothers. 
Ginsu Victim:

--- Quote from: isucamper on June 20, 2008, 12:48:38 pm ---Also, I would argue that the Sony Playstation had more to do with the death of the arcade than these misinformed (but well intentioned) mothers. 

--- End quote ---

It goes back further than the PSX. The NES really kicked home gaming into high gear in a way the Atari VCS couldn't. Then came Genesis and SNES and the home market grew even larger. Thanks to Capcom, there was an arcade resurrection briefly, but nowhere near what it once was. Once Final Fantasy VII came out, the PSX cemented its place in history and now we're living with the result.
CheeseSndwch:
Back in the day Malt Shops were considered the “devils den.” Same BS different generation. Actually now that I think about it there are plenty of people out there who retro fit their homes to mimic malt shops/fifties diners. Interesting correlation between society perception and future collectibles.
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