Whatever happened to the Video Arcade?

May 5th, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Why are you reading this?. No Comments

You make it up to the third level after avoiding the oil can’s fire ball and hopping over 2 simultaneous wooden barrels. The hammer power-up is just in your reach but then that damn giant gorilla hurls a side winding barrel that ends your princess saving expedition.  Even though I wasn’t even born yet when the original Donkey Kong arrived in 1981, it was still being played way beyond my forthcoming into video games. The excitement, the pressure, and the motivation to defeat a second player or obtain a high score were the days of the video arcade. Children and teenagers would go after a long day of compound fractions and sentence diagrams to just be young and take a break from educational structure. But over time the arcade diminished and currently over 100 million Americans own a video game console. Arcades are not as abundant as the mid 80s and 90s but still have an underground following and a nostalgic place in history.

I remember when I was about 5 years old, I was starting to get interested in many completely different hobbies and activities. Legos were huge, most children start playing t-ball, and comic books stirred up my imagination (even though they were difficult for me to read at that age). Then one day my dad had a surprise for me. He took me to my first arcade where hours of entertainment could last on several quarters. Like an 8-bit carnival, constant flashing lights and clashing musical themes completely engulf the dim lit room. I remember chopping on power pellets to eat those stupid 4 ghosts, slicing and dicing my way through the Footclan, and shooting my way through mushrooms to kill that idiotic centipede.  When going to the arcade had so much impact because of travel, time and money, gamers better appreciated their efforts.

The standard bulky coin operated machine dates back to the early 1970’s on the campus of Stanford University. Here two students compiled multiple CPUs, graphic and sound chips/boards and created Galaxy Game. Of course this game required much time and money to put forth so Galaxy Game (Spacewar) was extremely limited across campuses around the country. But eventually engineers and computer science gurus, Nolan Bushnell and Alan Alcorn, found a simple game to play in popular hangout spots. In 1972, Pong was released which is considered by many as the beginning of the video game. This was the start of the arcade boom which included Space Invaders, Defender, and nearly a decade later Pac-Man.

The late 80s and early 90s were so groundbreaking with new ideas that gamers couldn’t get everything in with one visit. Even with classic arcades still avidly being played (Dragon’s Lair, Marble Madness, and 1942) shocking visuals and intuitive gameplay solutions were storming. Controversies and lawsuits arose for many of the violent and sexually themed games (Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, NARC) but this only caused more attention. When the fourth generation of video game home consoles brought many of these new fighting games to gamers’ home TVs, it still didn’t distract traditionalists and preferred joystick users who returned to the original hardware.

The late 90s and 2000s gave bought home consoles to the next level. Bringing 3D worlds and immaculate characters textures, arcades really started to struggle. However, as home consoles improved so did the arcade game. Showing more unique uses of the light gun, dual monitors, and even dance pad, the arcade was still showing life. Flight simulators and racing games brought gamers into more a realistic world with moving/vibrating seats and surround sound. But unfortunately the amount of business was only a fraction of the sales compared to the Playstation 2 and Wii. Arcades were closing around the country and the only locations where they could still be found where bowling alleys, laundry mats, and bars. Only a few major chains exist around America that combine a bar and restaurant environment with the arcade, Dave & Buster’s and GameWorks.

Video arcades are extremely rare around the country, but understandably so. The video game industry has boomed to where video game majors are offered in college, websites analyze and review new game arrivals, and the video game industry itself now holds more than 50,000 job positions in America. Even though home consoles are the wave of the future, video arcades still draw in audiences who realize that some genres can never be played at home. An example of this would be the special edition of House of the Dead 4 where the players are buckled in a revolving chair which spins 180 degrees towards two facing projectors. Sound interesting? Check out this random link I found on YouTube of the game in action: House of the Dead 4 Special

Even though I’m an everyday home console gamer, I hope video arcades will always exist in some form or another. The thrill of going somewhere new, playing ridiculously hard classics, and having the feeling of getting your money’s worth, is a familiarity similar to your first time at an amusement park. You tend to appreciate the efforts of the mechanical and programming thought processes while trying to get the end boss. Then you take a break from the screen and play some skee ball. It’s a dying community where adolescents and adults alike can all having something in common… fun. Yes online gameplay and the Wii have bought people together in the video game world, but going to an arcade brings more energy, competitiveness, and excitement for anyone who wants to play.

For those who are interested, I’ve listed some monumental arcade games which caused mass movements and/or controversy:
•    Pong
•    Death Race
•    Galaga
•    Defender
•    Centipede
•    Space Invaders
•    Dig Dug
•    Asteroids
•    Pac-Man
•    Donkey Kong
•    Frogger
•    Marble Madness
•    Q*Bert
•    1942
•    Dragon’s Lair
•    Star Wars
•    Spy Hunter
•    After Burner
•    NARC
•    Rampage
•    Shinobi
•    Street Fighter II
•    Golden Axe
•    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
•    Pit Fighter
•    Mortal Kombat
•    Virtua Fighter
•    Killer Instinct
•    X-Men
•    NBA Jam
•    Rush (series)
•    Time Crisis
•    NFL Blitz
•    Dance Dance Revolution
•    House of the Dead 4 Special

Temporarily Blogging Out Strees

April 28th, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Why are you reading this?. No Comments

Apparently I’ve been going through phases of extreme ups and downs. Over the past couple weeks I have been trying to figure out what I want to do but not taking any action. This alone turns to stress and therefore leaves me in a state of worthless depression. Tonight alone, I have signed up to 3 different blogs, all ranging from video games, current events, and pointless babbling (which this current blog is turning into). Does it make me a better person to be writing out my thoughts and opinions on a daily basis? For some it’s a way to get things off their chests,  some want to be noticed as a diamond in the rough, and others is for self improvement or a stress reliever. Do we feel that we are contributing to the mass collections of web information or not caring of how much our our personal lives are just a click away? I guess some there is some self satisfaction similar to completing a term paper or cleaning up the house. A sense of accomplishment that you’re working the left side of your brain and not feeling like you’re not doing anything with your life. For some it’s a routine. Others a release. For myself, I guess it’s all of the above. I guess so much gets built up all at one that, the pen and paper doesn’t cut it in one night.

So I ask  if you could send me some great blog postings you may find in your travels. We have a couple here on sloth jockey:

I want to see more of people have to say. Maybe I’ll find some inspiration. Maybe you will too.

Another epic dies which consumed my life

April 9th, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Fay & Snob. 1 Comment

Fay:
Whacha doing?

Snob:
Nothing.

Fay:
What do you mean nothing?

Snob:
Huh.

Fay:
You’re down in the dumps aren’t you?

Snob:
Why do you say that?

Fay:
Battlestar Galactica is over and done with.

Snob:
So?

Fay:
It consumed your life for the past six years and now it’s over.

Snob:
Good riddance.

Fay:
You’re full of shit you know that? All the computer wallpapers, blog postings, dvd collections… all now just a memory.

Snob:
Shut up.

Fay:
Whatever shall we do now that BSG is off the air?

Snob:
That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

Fay:
Why don’t you find another show?

Snob:
There’s nothing out there even a fraction of BSG’s magnitude of greatness.

Fay:
What about American Idol, Lost, or one of the 1,000 crime solving, CSI, or law and order police shows?

Snob:
You know come to think of it, I did feel like stabbing someone today.

Fay:
Hardy Har Har.

Snob:
Who says that anymore?

Fay:
I do, because I’m from the 70s.

Snob:
The 70s… when Battlestar first aired.

Fay:
Jesus Christ man, let it go.

Snob:
Whatever Cylon.

Fay:
Oh nice comeback.

Snob:
Sorry, I don’t dish out my good material to machines.

Another Comic Book Movie Discussion…

March 22nd, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Fay & Snob. No Comments

SNOB:
What the hell is that?

FAY:
What?

SNOB:
Your t-shirt. Or should I say my t-shirt.

FAY:
This isn’t yours.

SNOB:
How is that not mine? Who else would buy an “Alan Moore was right” t-shirt?

FAY:
You think I could fit this well in one of your t-shirts?

SNOB:
Hmm. So are you trying to steal my image?

FAY:
Yes. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.

SNOB:
You actually agree with the message on the t-shirt?

FAY:
Not every comic book movie does justice the story or characters (cough cough) Superman Returns (cough cough).

SNOB:
Why didn’t you like Watchmen?

FAY:
Just adapting panels from the comic book to the big screen doesn’t mean you’re making an accurate comic book movie.

SNOB:
Tell me about it. After I saw 300 I pictured myself kicking Zack Snyder in the nuts in slow motion then quickly speeding up as soon as contact was made.

FAY:
Well regardless, we are in the era of the comic book movie boom.

SNOB:
It’s weird. When I was a kid I pictured all my comic book heroes on the big screen and now that it’s happening I feel like I’m pulling the slots at a casino. I’m taking a chance even though I most likely going to be let down.

FAY:
So why take the chance?

SNOB:
Well it’s a comic book movie.

FAY:
So you buy into the hype even though you assume you’re going to be depressed afterwards?

SNOB:
Well, when you win at the slots it’s ever so sweet.

FAY:
I dunno. It’s just a movie. And all the children and simpletons out there just want to be entertained.

SNOB:
Checkers is entertaining. Swan boat rides are entertaining. Poorly made comic books movies are like pouring salt on an open wound while getting a root canal by Stevie Wonder.

FAY:
What’s so bad about them? I mean there are many movies that I got bored with but didn’t have a repulsive gag reflux after watching them.

SNOB:
All I’m asking is for producers, writers and directors to get on the same page and tell the story right. In 1975, the comic book Giant Size X-Men was released introducing several new characters, all from different places of origin. Storm was from Africa. Colossus from Russia. Nightcrawler from Germany. In the X-Men movie trilogy, all the characters speak with American accents. Well except for Nightcrawler. He still had an accent. He was pretty sweet actually.

FAY:
Don’t you think you’re nit-picking too much?

SNOB:
Possibly. But what if someone was doing a documentary about you and the actor playing you was one-hundred pounds heavier and one foot shorter than you?

FAY:
That sounds like Chip, my imaginary friend.

SNOB:
Ha. Ha. Wouldn’t you get pissed, though?

FAY:
Yeah, yeah. But times change. Dialogue, clothing, politics, culture has all changed since comics were originally written.

SNOB:
Well, Watchmen’s fifteen minutes of fame is over. And that’s all the change I need.

FAY:
Hey… “Alan Moore was right.”

SNOB:
Give me my shirt back.

Driving stick under the influence

March 22nd, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Fay & Snob. No Comments

FAY:
Watcha watchin?

SNOB:
Sports.

FAY:
That’s pretty general.

SNOB:
Basketball.

FAY:
Good game?

SNOB:
Why do you care? You don’t like sports let alone know anything about them.

FAY:
Well you only watch sports out of boredom, gambling, and for stats.

SNOB:
And… commercial. Now, what were you saying?

FAY:
Never mind.

SNOB:
I’m hungry.

FAY:
Hmm. So many commercials.

SNOB:
Maybe some orange chicken with white rice…

FAY:
Are they going to show anything different?

SNOB:
What?

FAY:
Look at this. There are only three different types of commercials being shown.

SNOB:
So?

FAY:
That’s a very limited audience they’re selling to. I mean common, really? It’s the same three brands over and over again. Beer, cars, and Viagra… or male enhancement if you will.

SNOB:
Alcohol, cars, and sex. What else is there in life?

FAY:
You know what’s funny too?

SNOB:
Funny haha or funny interesting?

FAY:
Each brand recommends or warns viewers not do indulge in the other two brands.

SNOB:
…

FAY:
Look. The commercial tells you not to drink alcohol while taking Viagra. In addition, you should not operate heavy machinery or drive.

SNOB:
I can drive with a boner.

FAY:
Beer commercials always have warnings to “drink responsibly.”

SNOB:
I’m “drinking responsibly” right now.

FAY:
And car commercials tell you if you drive their car, you can get any woman you want. This again goes back to the fact that you can’t take a chubby capsule and drive. Any they’re expensive.

SNOB:
So what are you saying?  I can’t pop a prick pill while having an adult beverage and drive at the same time?

FAY:
Hey watch the road!

SNOB:
Whoa!

FAY:
Why did you put a TV in car anyway?

SNOB:
No one tells me what to do.

FAY:
Move over, I’m driving.

SNOB:
Fine. But turn right here. I’m meeting Susie tonight.

FAY:
But she lives two towns over.

SNOB:
Yeah, but I need to pick up some Viagra.

FAY:
God I hate you.

Lightning Strikes Twice

March 8th, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Fay & Snob. No Comments

FAY:
Who ever decided that lighting was a prominent source for superpowers? Like, if you get struck by lightning while working in a science lab, you will gain an amazing ability.

SNOB:
Well… what if it’s true?

FAY:
What?

SNOB:
How many people you know were struck by lightning?

FAY:
None.

Snob:
And how many people do you know have superpowers?

FAY:
None… but that doesn’t mean…

SNOB:
I’m just saying what is the probability of somebody working in a science lab and getting stuck by lightning at the same time? Sure people get stuck by lighting every year but isn’t it something like one out of seven hundred thousand?

FAY:
About 73 deaths a year.

SNOB:
Right. And out of that 73 people, how many were working in a lab or chemical plant or nuclear facility?

FAY:
Couldn’t tell you.

SNOB:
Zero dammit! There could have been a lightning attack on some mild-manner scientist and the combination of rare chemicals and atmospheric electric discharge somehow started a new chain in mankind evolution?

FAY:
Mild-mannered? Superman wasn’t struck by lightning nor was he a scientist.

SNOB:
THAT’S NOT THE POINT!

FAY:
Ok, ok. Well maybe someone out of the 73 people was working in a lab and the lightning just killed them.

SNOB:
Or maybe it’s a cover-up? Someone got struck, got amazing powers, but someone got to him first?

FAY:
Have you ever read or seen anything in the news about some mysterious life saving event?

SNOB:
Again, irrelevant. False information fed to us just like the so-called 73 deaths.

FAY:
I dunno.

SNOB:
Well if it’s a common superhero origin, then maybe there’s a message there? Like someone trying to reach out the everyday comic book reader that this really did happen. A sign. A calling. We can put the clues together and find this hero in hiding!

FAY:
Na, these just are adult picture books which create stupid arguments leaving us in a state where no one was right or wrong and helps past the time until the next issue or film adaptation comes out.

SNOB:
Pass the Funyuns.

Procrastination at its Finest

March 8th, 2009 by The Polski Samurai, under Why are you reading this?. 1 Comment

I’m starting anew. With so many distractions that force themselves into our lives it’s difficult to see the path right in front of us. These distractions, for better or worse, may come in the form of a person, entertainment, an accident, or conjured up from our own minds. Sometimes everything is all just in your head. I will keep this brief for my sake and yours. I want to start off slow and not force anything. I will do my best even if you choose not visit anymore. But I want to continue post after post until my eyes are bleeding… and then post some more.