Before there was Nintendo or Playstation or home computer games there was the neighbourhood arcade. Dimly lit and usually situated in a bad part of town, the arcade was a popular hangout for many American teenage boys in the late 70′s and 80′s. However since reaching their peak in the late 1980′s the arcade has been in decline in America as the popularity of home computer games has taken off.
The arcade may have died off in American, but in Japan not only do they still exist but they are thriving! Huge multi-story buildings are situation conveniently next to train stations for easy access. From tradition joystick games to ones that can be controlled with your mobile phone, each floor represents a different genre of gaming and are packed with the latest technology in arcade games.
Brad Crawford is a documentary filmmaker who’s latest film 100 Yen: The Japanese Arcade Experience is a historical documentary about the evolution of arcades and the culture surrounding it – from the birth of arcades to the game centers that still thrive today. Filmed on location in Japan and featuring interviews with industry professionals, game programmers and designers, this film is sure to excite the video game aficionados.
