Could this be the future of arcades?

[Viper]

Originally posted by johnk_
doesn't sound quite legal, for some reason..

Probably because of the message usually printed in game instruction manuals that states that unauthorised rental or public performance of a game is a violation of applicable laws. Some arcades do enter into agreements with game publishers and console manufacturers that make this sort of thing legal, but most of them don't. If I had a dollar for every MGCD modded Dreamcast I've seen making an arcade operator money illegally...

[Hero]

[smartmouth]
cool! With console cafes, even more people can get all sorts of bent-out-of-shape over a game, and beat the crap out of whoever had a higher score.
[/smartmouth]

It happens around here, and I've read stories of kids killing each other or stabbing/shooting over a game of Counter Strike. Maybe social gaming should be promoted when gamers can be social.

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by Hero
[smartmouth]
cool! With console cafes, even more people can get all sorts of bent-out-of-shape over a game, and beat the crap out of whoever had a higher score.
[/smartmouth]

It happens around here, and I've read stories of kids killing each other or stabbing/shooting over a game of Counter Strike. Maybe social gaming should be promoted when gamers can be social.

It's not that bad. I wouldn't really blame CS. I would blame those cocky people that mouth people off over something competitive. It could happen while playing a sport or someone talking in a movie and someone tells him to shut up. etc. Killing just happens.

Actually I would blame the people that take things too seriously and not the cocky people. I shoot off my mouth like crazy in fighting games. heh heh

[§eraphim]

Well there are some huge very ambitious projects going on in Japan right now that are really trying to bring the equivalent to LAN-Arcades together.

Basically you can walk into an arcade and play Daytona with 5 guys in the other arcade 30 miles away. Sounds great, but the arcades industry might be more thne a few years to late to start planning this NOW!

[DArque Bishop]

Originally posted by sleeveboy
About six months ago Game Informer ran an interview with the guy from Midway who designed Smash TV. He said they were trying to implement an online strategy for years, but that it didn't really work out for economic reasons.

Regus probably remembers that interview better; wait till he finds this thread.

The closest thing I've heard of Midway trying something like that was a version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 which used an online system called WaveNet. (At least, I think that was the name.) However, this version of UMK3 was rare as hell, from what I understand. I certainly have never seen it.

I think the next games that Midway are planning for online play are the next NFL Blitz (though not on all consoles) and MK 6.

Just my $.02...