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Why do We Still Play the Classics?
by
Jonathan Imberi
(Above) A vintage snapshot from the collection of Jim Miller
by Jonathan Imberi
August 2006
If you are wondering why
classic games are making a comeback, there’s no one simple answer.
The fact is there are a lot of reasons why classic games are
returning to the spotlight, but if I had to name one specific reason
for the resurgence of interest in these classics - I would have to
say that it’s the playability/fun factor!
Today's arcade, console and
PC games are so wrapped up in realism, making the graphics so
awe-inspiring that the playability/fun is lost to many players.
Realistic graphics can only go so far if the game is not any fun to
play. When a game focuses too much on realism it starts to cloud the
line between fantasy and reality, and ultimately undermines the
purpose of a good game: to help us briefly escape our reality.
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Before anyone gets upset, I
want to mention that I have nothing against the games or gamers of
today. There are a lot of current titles that I really enjoy
playing, but I truly enjoy the classics. Even though I haven’t
played them in long time, I am still able to play them without a
learning curve.
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Many of today's games
require you to learn so many commands in order to just play them
that it distracts from the fun factor. The simplicity of classic
arcade games makes them just as enjoyable now as they were when they
first appeared in the arcades. However, just because classic arcade
games are simple does not mean they are easy. Take for example
Pac-man, which took over 19 years for someone (Billy Mitchell) to
finally complete with a perfect score.
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Classic arcade games are
making a comeback for another reason - they allow you to relive part
of your childhood. In the words of George Bernard Shaw “We don’t
stop playing because we grow old… We grow old because we stop
playing.”
In today's fast paced and
hectic world, we sometimes need to just slow down and have a little
fun. Classic arcade games provide the perfect outlet to get in touch
with your inner child and… have FUN! Everyone needs a break once in
a while, and playing classic arcade games gets my vote.
So even if you haven’t
played a classic game in years, it’s never too late to start.
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