Arcade games had their heyday during the 1980s. In the years since there has sadly been a decline in their popularity. They still exist but are usually played on home consoles instead of at gaming establishments. There are several reasons for the fall of traditional arcade games.
Gamers Started Staying At Home
Once consoles became readily available and affordable, it changed the very nature of popular gaming forever. People were able to choose between either going out to an arcade or playing the same games from the comfort of their own homes. Many chose the latter option, decreasing the number of profits that arcades ended up making.
Home consoles had many advantages over traditional forms of video gaming. It was much more convenient and cost-effective in the long run. Furthermore, it allowed people to play whenever they wanted. They were no longer restricted by arcade opening and closing times.
Arcades Began To Go Out Of Business
Unfortunately, despite the many positive aspects of consoles, they ended up taking profits away from arcades. As a consequence of this, the 1990s saw a massive slump in the industry. Smaller independent arcades could not survive, and many ended up closing their businesses. Eventually, even the larger ones started to struggle. Many had to cut back on expenditures by decreasing the number of games available at one time.
Home Consoles Overtook Arcade Machines
When consoles first emerged, it was not a very big issue for arcades. This was because arcade machines were much more powerful and capable of running more sophisticated software. However, games companies eventually managed to develop consoles that outran the performance of arcade machines. When this happened, it was the final nail in the coffin for traditional arcade games. Consoles could even port over arcade games, allowing them to be played at home.