Bring the Arcade back!

TravC — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:19 +0000

Some of my best memories revolve around a place my Dad used to take when I was a kid – the arcade. He used to take me to a place that no longer exists. It was called Bump ‘n Tilt. Adults received free admission with a paid child’s price of admission. Upon entry, you could see a total smorgasbord of arcade classics – from Pac-Man to Frogger to Donkey Kong. All the machines were rigged where no quarters were needed – you just played and played. I think this caused some issues with the “quarter down, next man up” rule. But they never had any issues with this. They also had a nice collection of pinball machines along with an 80′s era snack bar and even bumper cars.

We would go there for hours at a time with the goal of getting all time best scores. It was simply a slice of bliss. So what really happened to these arcades? Did the home video game industry kill the arcade? It seems so. For years co-op play depended on meeting up physically. With the onset of the internet, that became a matter of clicks to connect and play with friends and strangers. Services like Xbox Live took this concept to new levels. I can even remember the Sega Genesis had a modem to support on-line play – a big idea that was ahead of its time. It seems it was far easier and cheaper to get your multi-player fix once these services went mainstream.

Would it be possible to reinvent the arcade as we once knew it? Although I’d like to say yes, it seems doubtful. Sure, a business could form around a collection of retro cabinet style machine and reopen, but would today’s youth really absorb this idea? I doubt this too. It seems the most affluent new machines are practically like novelties – like DDR. They are contraptions that would not be realistic to convert to the home video game market. These over-sized games are not the answer. New technologies should introduced for arcades. This technology must also allow players to connect with others not only in person but also on-line and allow world wide competition via stand up style games. Live tournaments must be held. These next-gen arcades must offer something the home video game consoles can not – it must offer atmosphere combined with technology.

Why should I play the Sims anymore?

TravC — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:41:03 +0000

I have to ask myself this question these days. Since, I’ve made the move into the management ranks (darkside) I feel as if I tell people what to do enough. I have to tell them what to work on, sometimes how to work on it, when to take breaks and lunches and on rare occasion address bathroom issues. I even give advice and direction in other ways. So, after a day of this, why would I want to come home and micro manage? I hate micro managing as it is. It doesn’t work. You would hope after enough time folks would learn what to do and develop. Isn’t that a major goal of any decent manager?

This leads me to a point about the Sims games – the characters don’t really learn. Sure, they can do more things as they “learn” but they are still dependent on you to tell them even the most basic things – for the most part. Left to their own vices they will piss all over themselves, become sleep deprived, loose their jobs and can even die of starvation.

What the Sims games could do, is lead game playing software into a new arena. They could simulate real work place environments and have the player shape the coarse of the workplace. This can be done by coaching, hiring, firing, reprimanding, teaching and even giving effectuate meeting presentations. Even handle HR disputes and union contract negotiations. Imagine playing the Sims and you actually learning how to better deal with your direct reports. Now that’d be a game I’d like to play. Or maybe I wouldn’t play it- because that’s what I do all day anyway.

Gamer Euphoria » TravC

Bring the Arcade back!

Why should I play the Sims anymore?