Arcades died because people got tired of pumping money into games they don't own. 10-20 years ago, it was easy to drop $10 on a game in one night. Okay, but then if someone has an IQ of above 40, they start thinking to themselves that for the price of 3 nights, they can buy the game on playstation or whatever and play forever for free. Gee, do I want to spend $30-$40 to play a game for one week, or do I want to spend $30-$40 to play a game every night for the next 6 months? What should I choose?
Back in the NES/Genesis/SNES days, there was enough difference in quality to keep bringing people to an arcade, but by the PSX/Saturn days, the difference was to slight for anyone other than fanatics to care about, and PS2/Xbox slammed the door on the whole thing.
AI has been a busy arcade for years, it died for economic reasons. Its completely the reason I think. Arcades as a general thing died then, but the hardcore arcades catering to the japanese styled gamer stayed alive for a damn long time.
Actually man, FFA was so fucking busy when I'd go in 07, you could barely even move through the crowds, the interest level was nuts. I entered the sbo quals here. This arcade had like 11 machines dedicated to 3s only, and it was packed to the teeth.
Also I blame capcom for releasing super IV console first, then doing a port of AE for arcade with additions way later, that shit helped generate revenue, but they are cutting corners, and its costing vendors. AI even consolized a PS3 into a cabinet for SUPER IV before AE came out, you could play for free or donate a token. Ken made no money off that.
Something to remember, arcades make money at night primarily. All the stoners wake up at 6 at night and go to arcades after a bowl or getting fucked up on shit quality mexican beer.
FFA didn't close till like 3 in the morning. That's how busy it was.
AI had great traffic.
AI means three words to me, 'hit confirm super'
I'll miss not having the option to go do 3S on a whim's notice. Its a real let down.
3S was a huge money maker for AI to. It was a huge money maker. When IV dropped, the entire scene died at AI almost immediately. It then shifted to denjin arcade, this is the arcade my team placed third in a tourney only to lose to amir's. (Amir was a awesome guy to)
Basically, if IV never dropped, maybe AI would have made more money over all. They wouldn't have had to buy that IV set up that costs a freaking ton to buy, and better yet, who knows what the scene would be like..
The gameplay in california's third strike is second only to japan itself. That's how strong the level is. its insane. Nobody knows how sick it is unless you've played these people in person.
I met my best friend playing third strike, and the game allowed me to meet a lot of great people.
AI was a awesome experience and will be fondly remembered as my stomping ground for deep play. I learned all my depth and dedication at AI.
In a way, IV ruined everything about the hardcore scene, the minute that game dropped, it destroyed a scene with some of the most personal and awesome creative gameplay you'll ever see in your life. You'll never see a match in that like messatsu vs sugi on youtube. Theres so many cool moments in 3S that make you change up.
and Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga). TC3 is still a money-making beast and the drivers are fine but when the numbers are crunched every week, roughly 80-85% if the business is redemption and prize.