If arcades survived, what would modern cabinets look like?

Sectorseven

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If arcades survived, what would modern cabinets look like?

Do you think we would have adopted the Japanese style candy cabs? Specifically the modern Vewlix type in games like SFIV, or do you think we'd still have wood cabinets with unique designs?

streetfighter4cabinet.jpg
 
That is really hard to say, since many of the surviving companies are Japanese and the games are fighters. Therefore, the open design works well. I do think we would have additional cabinet dsigns; I just cannot say what they would look like (wood is easier to mass produce). Artwork and designs would likely be more elaborate than today.

Scott C.
 
I'm sure that manufacturers would still make unique cabinets for large dedicated simulators and games like the "Let's Go Junge" Deluxe model. But, my guess is that LCD flat screens and cabinets more like the Naomi Universal would be used for games that get converted on a regular basis. You can look to titles from "Raw Thrills" for an indication of what American manufacturers are doing these days, but they primarily do deluxe dedicated cabinets...
 
All cabinets would follow the same streamlined appearance as the viewlix and what operators are doing with the Golden Tees. 19" and 25" standard cabs would 'trim out the fat' and alter cabinet sizes to house flat screen LCDs to modern systems. I believe sideart would be scrapped all together in favor of a flashy frontal appearance (as the sides would be so thin it would be pointless anyways) and we'd see alot more under-mounted LED lighting to compensate for the lack of ambient effect that artwork envokes.
 
I think you would see a lot more showcase cabinets. I think you would see a lot more networked games where you can interact with other players. Sort of like Gauntlet Legends and Dark Legacy except across multiple systems. Eventually you will see the sort of 3D setup you get with the 3D TVs (rather than the big helmets like BeachHead or the Virtuality Systems of the early 90's).

ken
 
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