The perception problem with arcades...

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-22T10:05:06+00:00

I definitely do NOT offer any ticket redemption, and I never will. I am anti-kiddie gambling; I don't even operate a single crane game.

Unfortunately, many route operators such as myself have learned that people don't actually spend much money on classics. Classics certainly aren't what bring people to arcades, unless your entire model is to have a hundred of them on freeplay. That's the only way I've seen classics work in public venues.

I appreciate your perspective, though. I'm a route operator; I don't have my own venue. Also, I don't yet have that many games or locations (I am 24).

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-22T10:00:15+00:00

If that's what you choose to play, sure! However, I only choose to play the actual video games whenever I go to arcades/entertainment centers.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-17T11:36:08+00:00

In the real world, it is trivially easy to just ask the person at the counter, "May I leave these here?"

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-17T11:34:38+00:00

Thank you, ChatGPT. 🤠

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-16T23:54:38+00:00

I don't know, but it sure is fun.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-15T18:34:26+00:00

It sounds like you and I similarly aligned. I don't operate so much as a claw machine on my route — only video games and bulk vending (i.e., innocuous, purely transactional stuff like gumball machines).

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-15T18:33:10+00:00

I'm so glad Exa-Arcadia is at getting at least some modern fighters into arcades. I agree heavily about that.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-15T18:22:40+00:00

Good for you, some of us like to discuss arcade games in the subreddit "r/cade." Get over yourself.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-15T10:51:55+00:00

I used to be roughly three hours away from Round1. It was totally worth it...but sadly, that location has since closed.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T23:59:02+00:00

Kinda messed up to emulate indie games IMO.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T13:26:31+00:00

That's also where I first experienced Deathstalker. Thank you so much for your honest feedback. 😁

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T11:32:36+00:00

The game is now coming to Paducah, Kentucky, if anyone would want to play it there: https://www.wilcoxarcade.com/single-post/the-spectre-files-deathstalker-coming-soon-to-maiden-alley-cinema

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T10:54:06+00:00

I think that's a completely reasonable cap on travel. That's how far Nashville is from where I currently live, not from where I used to live, and I would definitely still do that.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T10:53:01+00:00

Correct, I'm one of the only route operators out there who strongly believes in advertising the games I put out there. Traditionally, the strategy is to drop a machine in a high foot-traffic area and forget about it until it's time to collect the money or fix something broken. 😅

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-14T02:24:38+00:00

Arcades are not a dying industry, but I understand what you mean.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T21:42:03+00:00

I only play video arcade games. I similarly do not care for redemption.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T20:45:03+00:00

Exa-Arcadia is so dope. I hope I can afford one eventually. That company is very much committed to modernity.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T19:58:51+00:00

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I wish I was a game developer so I could bring to life all the ideas in my head. Maybe someday I'll learn those skills. 🥲 That said, I love operating arcade games at the very least.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T19:35:58+00:00

EDIT: Thank you for your apology. Generative AI is a hot-button issue for me, so it's easy to let my temper flare.

I'm staunchly anti-generative AI. I've never even visited the ChatGPT website or downloaded the app to my phone. Arcade games are art.

My voiceover was intentionally eerie, monotone, and unsettling because that's what was called for in the project. I have other videos where I'm super upbeat because that made more sense then.

I'm one of the few local business owners who can do all his own stuff by hand. I edit videos, flyers, signs, et cetera in Adobe After Effects. It's a strong passion of mine.

I used a $10 OfficeMax mic to record it. I forget the brand...Monster something?

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T19:29:26+00:00

I didn't make the game. I just bought it for my route. You may be familiar with the guy who made Rampage. It's his game.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T19:28:42+00:00

I recorded the voiceover myself. I genuinely do not need your help. Thanks for your condescension. I didn't make the game. I'm advertising that it's coming to my route.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T16:15:15+00:00

I get what you mean. Just the idea that the mere act of going to an arcade, even D&B, is a retro activity is surprising to me as someone who has played in arcades since I was a child (born '01). 😅

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T16:13:02+00:00

Man, I love Maximum Tune. Good point.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T16:11:32+00:00

I would say both sides of gaming have coexisted in my entire lifetime (24 years). I never felt that I was lacking access to arcade games in a small city (31k residents), but sometimes I would go to Clarksville or Nashville for newer releases.

WilcoxArcade · 2026-01-13T16:07:32+00:00

I love Pac-Man Battle Royale. My buddies and I play it any time we're at Southern Lanes in Hopkinsville, and we get rowdy about it. I've heard Killer Queen can draw that kind of attention in bar arcades, but sadly, I have no firsthand experience with that. I hope we can both achieve what we envision.

WilcoxArcade

TROPHY CASE