Before I start let me be clear that I am NOT talking about Zuckerberg’s “Metaverse” with a capital “M.” I am speaking of the concept writ large - aka a 3D/AR/VR/etc. “virtual world” akin to Oasis in the world of Ready Player One. This is incredibly boilerplate so if you are unfamiliar with the concept or want to know more I’d recommend reading more about it!

Arcade Paradise is a game where you slowly (and secretly) turn your dad’s laundromat into a fully-fledged late 80’s/early 90’s-style arcade. It has a fun little story going as you move forward and a fantastic mix of short, medium, and longterm goals, all punctuated by a fun little sense of humor. It’s a nostalgia trip for sure for anyone who lived through the arcade-era, complete with 35 arcade games you can play.

So to the actual point here: this game made me operate like I was playing Stardew Valley and Civilization again (“Just one…more…turn…”) without the assistance of the actual arcade games. I really enjoyed a lot of the “cabinets” the devs put together but frankly it wasn’t the games that kept me coming back. It was the laying out of my arcade, the little tasks to get the money I need for the next upgrade, the optimization of my pricing to get every possible penny I could to expand my floor and add more cabinets. Even seeing the completely non-interactive NPC’s playing contributes, which is what made me also constantly go, “Man I wish my friends and I could chill here.”

Prior to this game I never really experienced that sensation, but I then thought about my friend who designed all these social spaces on her island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. She had this outdoor café she was so proud of in particular, and she always was inviting friends to join and run around there. I didn’t really get it until I played Arcade Paradise.

I’m not really entirely sure what my question or “prompt” is for folks here, I just found myself musing on this subject and wanted to write up something about it.