Are All Arcades Doomed?

[Draco1962]

Are all arcades doomed or is it a matter of poor location, planning, or unrealistic expectations of owners and patrons?

 

 

[tthurman]

The arcade generation is aging and therefore I don't think the model is sustainable long term with the exception of certain locations. There will always be some draw to them in the right places, amusement parks, etc......but revisiting the 80's highs are only around as long as we are IMO.

[Draco1962]

I don't disagree with your opinion a bit. As we age and retire, incomes fade along with our connections to friends and family. Nostalgia is there for those of us who remain, but we cannot afford its ever-increasing cost to maintain relevance in a society that is moving on without us. Damn. I just depressed myself.

[Darikail]

Many fail because they don’t evolve. Successful ones mix gaming with social spaces, food, and new tech like VR.

[HanksLounge]

There are still a lot of long running arcades here in New Emgland, in our beach/vacation spots.  However, they have become 95% prize based with every game being a ticket despensing bandit.  Even FUNSPOT, NH has moved all of the classics to the top floor and it rarely gets used.  The good news is that "BarCades" are alive and well with new and retro games.  I don't think that they will ever get the younger generation's attention back, sadly.  BTTF 2 was spot on with that prediction. LOL

*Maybe if they convert the old titles to dispence tickets for high scores, people may start playing them and realize the wonder of them?

Cheers!

[Draco1962]

We had a few that started just before COVID lockdowns but they did not survive for obvious reasons. Dave and Busters was the only one that made it, but only because of the "big box vs. mom & pop stores" economic realities.