Arcade vs Home, where do you prefer to play?

[Nisa]

Regardless of the ****ty state of affairs of UK arcades I still find that playing in arcades is a far better experience than playing at home.

Before my "local" arcade got rid of their numerous 2D fighters it was great to be able to sit down and challenge someone or be challenged at games like Marvel vs Street Fighter, playing friends at home or others over the net just doesn't generate the same kind of enthusiasm in me. It's not just fighters either, playing something like DDR at home (despite the superior song lists over Euromix 2s) isn't as fun either, not just because of the specialist cabinet but the whole social aspect that comes with games like this which I guess ties in with the theory of Arcades having a more enjoyable ambience(at least at those for 18s & over).

It's this that puts me off buying games like VF 4 Evolution, I know it's a great game but what's the point in having it if you're only going to be playing single player for the majority of playing time, it doesn't really help matters when my local arcade is **** (it's the only arcade in Glasgow and it has one fighter, VF 4). Another problem is that unlike those that have the enviable position of having several like minded games playing friends with similar playing levels to play against I'm stuck with mates that only play casually which is a nice way of saying they're ****e meaning that I have noone to learn from or evolve my skills alongside which ultimately leads to me being ****e as well (I used to be great at SF II Turbo I swear).

If arcades in the UK were up to scratch like in Japan or the States I'd probably never leave the places and my GC & PS2 would have more dust on them then my X-Box does at the moment. But anyway enough of me rambling about my gaming woes, lets hear what you think.

[optimusomega]

Quick answer:
Arcades definitely for competetive sick games like VF and shootemups,
home environment for polishing up skills in spare moments and for epic rpg's and other 50+ hour type games.

[Saurian]

I prefer the social aspect of gaming and always have people round for challenges as I miss the arcade scene so much. Hopefully with the new arcade opening up in London I can go back to where I belong

I do find playing games at home really boring tho - for training up it's all good but it's not the same if you're not causing someone emotional torment with your skill!

[optimusomega]

Hopefully with the new arcade opening up in London I can go back to where I belong

I can't wait either I'm gonna be rinsing that place

The home is good though imo for story driven games like rpgs as they can relax you after a stressful day.

[SharkAttack]

I must admit I get more of a kick racing in a line of 4 to 8 on Daytona USA 2 than any home console game.

[Concept]

I'm a home gamer, through and through.

I doubt It'd be possible to experience something like ICO or FFVII in an arcade environment.

I can see the merits and the positives of arcade gaming though, but like Nisa, my friends aren't dedicated players, so apart from this forum I'm very much isolated when it comes to being among a dedicated community.

I feel both have negatives and positives. Like optimusomega, there are some games in the home environment that can't work anywhere else, and vice-versa with the arcade.

My gaming roots are ingrained with diving in and immersing myself fully in a game, and in a sense forgetting who I am.

You might be able to get that feeling in the arcade, but I doubt it would be in the same form.

[Vaipon]

I've never really had the chance to experience arcade gaming in a competitive environment. We have no real arcades of any worth around my area, certainly none with the competitive spirit found in some of the larger cities. There are a few games in the local Bowling Alley and the cinema, but the only small amusement arcades in the town are geared towards fruit machines. If I ever moved to London, I expect that I would acquire a taste for it but right now I haven't really got the option.

[optimusomega]

Probably repeating myself but
Both markets deserve to do well as they both have there own unique experiences (arcade VF Home Final fantasies, immersive games )
Still after rinsing the arcades when your just relaxing at home it would be pretty crap if there were no consoles in the place, can't spend every hour in the arcade

[optimusomega]

I've never really had the chance to experience arcade gaming in a competitive environment. We have no real arcades of any worth around my area, certainly none with the competitive spirit found in some of the larger cities. There are a few games in the local Bowling Alley and the cinema, but the only small amusement arcades in the town are geared towards fruit machines. If I ever moved to London, I expect that I would acquire a taste for it but right now I haven't really got the option.

Believe this is something you have to experience at least once, man I remember the old days of streetfighter, theres nothing like intense competition and the buzz you get from it.

[Concept]

...And on the other foot, don't dismiss home gaming at it's best.

Halo co-op. Multiplayer GoldenEye. Multiplayer Mario Kart. Multiplayer ISS'98. Being terrified to the core by Silent Hill. Being thrilled by the pyrotechnics of Rez in the dark with the sound turned up. Staying up until 5am playing PSO. Finally finding all the heart pieces in A Link To The Past. The sense of adventure playing FFVII. The sense of wonder and immersion living life through Ryo's eyes in Shenmue. Working out the complex tactical approach of a level in Command & Conquer. Laughing outloud to Sam & Max. That feeling of adrenaline and grip playing Gran Turismo for the first time. Being in complete awe when you finally get Super Mario 64 and play it at your house, beginning at the castle for the first time. Witnessing ICO's beautifully touching characterisation. The diversity and unlimited cleverness of Vib Ribbon and personalising it through your musical taste. Totally melting into the fabric of Jet Set Radio's atmosphere for the first time. Being freaked out by Seaman when it begins talking to you all of a sudden in a man's voice...

And so on and so on...

[optimusomega]

Couldn't put it better myself,
the moral here enjoy it all peeps.

[Shimmyhill]

I used to love the arcade scene back in the day. As ive got older and can no longer afford to chuck 30 quid a session in a machine ive not been to the arcades for a while, whenever im near one ill go in but as we all know the arcades are not what they where

However, since picking up ddr on ps2 i wanted to try it in the arcade (something i would never have done b4 playing the game at home) I wanted to experience the proper machine, mat and sound setup !
I loved it, im not great or anything and the steps where diff to my version, i held my own tho It brought it all back to me, how good it is to play a arcade esp when your good.

However im still a home player, i will buy a metal mat and a better speaker set up !

But when i nail a song i will go down the arcade to play it properly !!

One last point, since playing the arcade cab, every where i go (cinema, bowling etc) i look for a arcade cab to go on ! The adiction is comming back! All i need is a initial D cab in Norwich !

[Molloy]

I'm an arcade addict through and through. My parents were constantly searching for me when I was a child because I'd always dissapear into some dingy gambling place.

Arcades are so poorly run nowadays and the machines cost far too much, which makes them too expensive per play.

I'd be interested in setting up a pay-per-hour arcade (2 or 3 quid?) with consoles as well. If it was clean and had a friendly atmosphere I could see it doing very well.

[GordonJ]

Home gamer mostly, so I can embarrass myself in private. Haven't really done proper arcades in years now (mainly down to the Namco wonderpark off Shaftesbury Ave closing).

reading Toast's thread in anticipation though. (ps. first post)