Those of us who lived through those years have a priceless benefit of having witnessed technology history unfold in real time. We saw the evolution of technology beyond just a bigger screen size of slightly faster processor. We had actual leaps and breakthroughs. My kids today will never have that unless some sort of huge technological miracle happens that changes everything.
The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
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Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#22I spent more money on arcade/video games in 1981 than any year before or since. Definitely was the golden age. The following year I stopped playing video games with the statement "I'll start playing again when they become interesting again". I am still waiting.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#23Those of us who lived through those years have a priceless benefit of having witnessed technology history unfold in real time. We saw the evolution of technology beyond just a bigger screen size of slightly faster processor. We had actual leaps and breakthroughs. My kids today will never have that unless some sort of huge technological miracle happens that changes everything.
This will certainly happen again. AR/VR, AI, and drone proliferation, and (fully) self driving cars are a handful that immediately come to mind without really thinking, which are due to really mature in the next 5-10 years.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#24MAME allows us to relive those moments. Biggest issue is controls, unless you invest in a proper control console.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#25MAME allows us to relive those moments. Biggest issue is controls, unless you invest in a proper control console. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAME
Play them online in your browser. https://archive.org/details/internetarcade
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#26I was lucky enough to have grown up with computers, writing my first program in 1977, and then entertaining myself with the Arcades of the 80's as they released title after title .. while also having access to the internals of the cabinets, through friends of my Dad who owned an Arcade rental business .. without those halcyon days of burned fingers and EEPROM copiers I don't think I'd have gained the insight I then l…
We had a 'Time Zone' in Mountain View, CA - It went on to be Aladdin Arcade and then at some point, They knocked down the San Antonio Shopping center and did not replace the arcade. Or The Hobby Shop. That was a bad day.
I really miss arcades though.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#27I would love to pick up some of the older arcade machines - they were never cheap and they still aren't. There are a few I would spend for; for technology they were a cornerstone of why I do what I do.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#28I was lucky enough to have grown up with computers, writing my first program in 1977, and then entertaining myself with the Arcades of the 80's as they released title after title .. while also having access to the internals of the cabinets, through friends of my Dad who owned an Arcade rental business .. without those halcyon days of burned fingers and EEPROM copiers I don't think I'd have gained the insight I then l…
If you are ever near Cincinnati, visit "Arcade Legacy".
Holy crap. I live an hour from Cincinnati and had no idea this was here. Thanks for hooking me up with this!
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#29For my money it was the 90s explosion of fighting games or else the rhythm games of the turn of the century. But hey I'm biased by my actual experiences just like everyone else is.
Definitely. That's when the 3d revolution happened. Sega's Yu Suzuki was putting out hit after hit of course staring in the mid to late 80's with Space Harrier and OutRun and peaked in the 90's with Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA.
Re: The Golden Age of the Video Game Arcade: 1981
#30I wish arcades were still a thing. And I don't mean a place with all the old cabinets like Barcade in NYC but a place with new games/experiences that are not easily accessible via a console or gaming pc. VR/AR seems to be a good fit even though you'd have to come up with a way to keep the goggles clean.