New Yorks Legendary Chinatown Fair Arcade Closing This Week

Good riddance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon

If it weren't for CF, I would never have realized my potential to compete in Vs. games on a national level. From 15-18 that place was my hangout every Friday. I met an ex there, a few awesome friends, a few flings, and it opened my eyes to the true depth of New York City and the various cultures that inhabit it. Many of you don't have a connection to CF like I do (it's where I met Bahn who introduced me to TNL and I know he'll miss the place) but it really is painful to see it go.

I will go one last time if it is really closing for good just to give it a proper goodbye. First CBGBs, then Cheapshots and now this. NYC is changing for me for good.

---

Today or tomorrow?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bojack

I can't count how many arcades I've been to that were filthy hovels of dated broke ass games that ate your coins where the operator was no where to be found when jab button suddenly crapped out and they had to wait for the repair man to come fix it nearly always "at some other date" if it ever got fixed. This and lack of any kind of promotion by any arcade I've ever heard doesn't help to drive down people's opinions of arcades in general. Arcade game producers are also to blame because they've done their fair share of stupid shit as well. It's no wonder the industry has largely failed but to assume it was due to a rise in home gaming is not the right answer. Blaming home consoles is nearly intellectually dishonest.

---

blah blah blah. The good ones closed down too. Nobody cares about them anymore, except when a renowned one closes down. "such a shame", everyone says. But nobody who says that has been to one in years.

edit: if well-maintained, beautiful arcades were a potentially great business model then more would be around. There are none because they don't make money and they don't make money because nobody cares when they can play every game ever in the comfort of their own home.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anthony

Today or tomorrow?

---

Is it still open right now? I'd go right now if it is. But probably tomorrow night.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

blah blah blah. The good ones closed down too. Nobody cares about them anymore, except when a renowned one closes down. "such a shame", everyone says. But nobody who says that has been to one in years.

---

I was at my local arcade last week. The one that's basically Orlando's version of China Town Fair. Been in business for over a decade. Has a deeply commited operation staff and a slick business policy of offering food and beer and allowing adults to smoke inside and being open till 1 am on weekends as well as keeping the games in decent condition. Great place.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

But nobody who says that has been to one in years.

edit: if well-maintained, beautiful arcades were a potentially great business model then more would be around. There are none because they don't make money and they don't make money because nobody cares when they can play every game ever in the comfort of their own home.

---

Bullshit. I go to yo Flipper McCoys in Va Beach every year, and I look forward to it greatly. I easily spend $60 a year there, more if I have it, and it's packed from open to close. They have to kick people out (including myself) every night. They also have pool tables and ticket games for kids, and if something is broken or you lose a coin, they come fix or refund it. I know it's not the norm, but it shows there's still an interest. Why the fuck would I stay home and play Confidential Mission when I could sit in a 2 person cabinet and rock out with someone?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Arcades didn't "evolve" to this state, they all closed down because people prefer playing games at home than in an arcade. If they didn't, arcades would still be where they were in 1985. The very concept of an arcade is outdated, at least in not-Japan.

---

Yes they did evolve to this state, obviously. Arcades still exist, albeit fewer than there used to be. There was a steady change in what you can expect from an arcade between the 80s and the unpleasant decline to today. Arcades have evolved into redemption machines, skeeball, poorly-maintained pinball with flourescent lights reflecting off the glass in as inconvenient a spot as possible, and outdated hardware running gimmick games.

Playing on a dedicated machine is a very different experience than playing at home. Properly presented, people still enjoy it and will pay for the experience, but it's got to be worth the trip. So many of what's left for arcades are poorly maintained dives that it shadows the few good ones. To top it off, there's just no new product.

It's sad that arcades are in this state because they're something worth having around. Playing at home is nice and convenient, but it's not the same experience as playing in a large, busy, noisy room with a few dozen other people. If you don't care that arcades are dying, good for you, but at least acknowledge that something of value to people who aren't you is being lost.

James

Coincidentally stopped in University Pinball in West Philly this evening.
Played some Galaga then some Rocky and Bullwinkle pinball.
The place still has healthy crowds. Surprisingly there seemed to be less redemption machines than before the fire/reopening. The deluxe sit down driving games and large monitor fighting games and light-gun games take up a lot of realestate.

Only time I was at Chinatown Fair arcade was the first and only time I played Viper Phase One.
Seems nuts that an arcade can't survive in New York City. Let's hope Barcade keeps going strong.
This summer I met someone involved with opening a barcade type place in Baltimore, it'll be interesting to see if that gets off the ground.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

edit: if well-maintained, beautiful arcades were a potentially great business model then more would be around. There are none because they don't make money and they don't make money because nobody cares when they can play every game ever in the comfort of their own home.

---

This is still an issue of places poorly promoting/maintaining themselves and game developers being stupid. My friends and I can sit around at my house or their house and drink beer and martinis but we go to this magic place called a bar because it's fun to go out even if we over pay for what we're tangibly getting. Experience is key. But hey you're right man, MvC3 at home yo! Death to arcades mutha fucka!!!

They closed this awesome arcade in Chinatown in SF a few years ago...I'm so sorry to see places like this go.