vieja escuela
12-12-2007, 05:00 AM
Arcades are almost dead in the US and in Europe.
One of the main reason is represented by the hardware evolution of home computers and consoles.
Once coin-ops offered the peak of the videogaming experience: nowadays the situation has changed.
But in Japan, probably the most technological advanced country in the world, arcades are still alive and kicking.
It seems illogical but, analyzing the matter, the contradiction is only apparent.
In Japan playing a videogame is normal.
That's it, brief and simple. It's normal for kids or teens, male or female, going to meet at the arcades after school. And it is normal for japanese adults to get to an arcade after work: they try to relax playing a videogame.
The same thing that american or european workers make when they go to play pool or bowling once they have finished with their jobs.
Then where's exactly the difference between pool a videogame?
Meeting friends or trying to get the attention of a potential partner in a place devoted to relax by playing a game: theorically a pool bar, a bowling center or an arcade are the same.
Therefore why spenting hours playing pool or bowling is socially accepted while playing any kind of videogame, even for few minutes, is considered a complete waste of time?
How many times do we hear parents or friends telling us videogames are useless?
The stereotype of a videogame player is a withdrawn child or an immature man that refuse to grow up. In brief, the classic nerd or, generally, a drop-out.
Is there only the "video" aspect, the material approach that marks the difference between the games?
The technological issue is very relevant. But, more deeply, why occidental culture refuse the social aspect of arcades videogaming?
The answer can be found in a basic concept that distinguishes occidental culture: profitableness.
Playing a videogame is socially unacceptable and considered useless because of the lacking of an economical profit, even at a potential level.
With few exceptions like money matches, winning a prize or being sponsored for the brief period that lasts the life of a top professional rts or fps player, to play a videogame can satisfy the gamer but it doesn't pay the rent, not even potentially since there are no professional leagues that allow to live playing arcades games.
But there are pool and bowling pro leagues and here's the difference: in an unconscious mind level people feel that these games can potentially give economic benefits. That's why even played amateurish, pool and bowling are accepted while videogames are refused.
But there's an intrinsic problem: the true videogame itself rejects the economic aspect. Because when the profit is incorporated in the mechanics, videogaming becomes another thing: gambling.
And in facts, in Europe, arcades were progressively replaced by videopoker centers.
Videogaming, an unprofitableness hobby, has no place in the occidental materialistic culture. Very sad.
One of the main reason is represented by the hardware evolution of home computers and consoles.
Once coin-ops offered the peak of the videogaming experience: nowadays the situation has changed.
But in Japan, probably the most technological advanced country in the world, arcades are still alive and kicking.
It seems illogical but, analyzing the matter, the contradiction is only apparent.
In Japan playing a videogame is normal.
That's it, brief and simple. It's normal for kids or teens, male or female, going to meet at the arcades after school. And it is normal for japanese adults to get to an arcade after work: they try to relax playing a videogame.
The same thing that american or european workers make when they go to play pool or bowling once they have finished with their jobs.
Then where's exactly the difference between pool a videogame?
Meeting friends or trying to get the attention of a potential partner in a place devoted to relax by playing a game: theorically a pool bar, a bowling center or an arcade are the same.
Therefore why spenting hours playing pool or bowling is socially accepted while playing any kind of videogame, even for few minutes, is considered a complete waste of time?
How many times do we hear parents or friends telling us videogames are useless?
The stereotype of a videogame player is a withdrawn child or an immature man that refuse to grow up. In brief, the classic nerd or, generally, a drop-out.
Is there only the "video" aspect, the material approach that marks the difference between the games?
The technological issue is very relevant. But, more deeply, why occidental culture refuse the social aspect of arcades videogaming?
The answer can be found in a basic concept that distinguishes occidental culture: profitableness.
Playing a videogame is socially unacceptable and considered useless because of the lacking of an economical profit, even at a potential level.
With few exceptions like money matches, winning a prize or being sponsored for the brief period that lasts the life of a top professional rts or fps player, to play a videogame can satisfy the gamer but it doesn't pay the rent, not even potentially since there are no professional leagues that allow to live playing arcades games.
But there are pool and bowling pro leagues and here's the difference: in an unconscious mind level people feel that these games can potentially give economic benefits. That's why even played amateurish, pool and bowling are accepted while videogames are refused.
But there's an intrinsic problem: the true videogame itself rejects the economic aspect. Because when the profit is incorporated in the mechanics, videogaming becomes another thing: gambling.
And in facts, in Europe, arcades were progressively replaced by videopoker centers.
Videogaming, an unprofitableness hobby, has no place in the occidental materialistic culture. Very sad.