X. Coin Return
It Just Makes Cents
Art teacher Doug Hatch plays a game of Pac-Man with students in Penn Elementary School's cardboard arcade (2016).
Despite all the odds, it's never been quite "game over" for the industry. Creativity, innovation and continued dedication to the craft have helped the arcade industry evolve and adapt well into the 21st century. In an increasingly virtual world, being tied to brick-and-mortar locations might have once seemed like a liability, but the COVID-19 pandemic revealed an unexpected truth: The isolation of lockdowns made people deeply appreciate the irreplaceable value of social, out-of-home entertainment experiences. As new family entertainment centers and arcade bars open up all across the country, the industry is proving that having a physical presence has become a distinct advantage. By promoting face-to-face social interactions and friendly competition, pinball and multiplayer video games are experiencing a remarkable renaissance.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
PETER DRUCKER
Zoltar the Magnificent predicts arcade machines will be around for many years to come.
Regardless of economics, politics or pandemics, the industry continues to find ways to move forward. While the business of making coin-op games has never been easy, this rich and storied pastime thrives thanks to the tireless efforts of those who’ve kept the craft alive. The designers, engineers and entrepreneurs who took a wooden box and envisioned a device that could entertain and connect us. The operators, whose enterprise made faraway galaxies and fantastic worlds accessible to anyone who walked into a corner store. And all those whose pennies, dimes, quarters and cards have fueled generations of innovation while conquering obstacles and besting high scores.
Rest assured, as long as the world keeps churning out exciting new technologies, someone will find a way to capitalize on it. What started with simple mechanical devices has evolved into sophisticated entertainment experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds. The future of coin-op may look different from its past, but its fundamental appeal — bringing people together for moments of joy and competition — remains unchanged. As new generations discover the unique thrill of arcade gaming, the industry remains ready to coin that enthusiasm into a business that will continue to return.
