[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_type=”circular” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”top left” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(255,255,255,0.89) 30%|rgba(255,255,255,0) 80%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.89)” background_color_gradient_start_position=”30%” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_color_gradient_end_position=”80%” background_image=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/places-thumbnail-e1593538928331.jpeg” parallax=”on” width=”100%” min_height=”100px” custom_margin=”-65px||185px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-161px||194px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”8vw|1px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(10,10,10,0.49)” transform_translate_linked=”off” min_height=”192px” custom_margin=”204px|auto|150px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”54px|48px|54px|48px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”66px” text_line_height=”80px” header_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” width=”105%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||0px|||” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”31px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.5em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Arcades: Pumping It Up For New Players<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” min_height=”0px” custom_margin=”-14px|129px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”30px|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”9px|63px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.8em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The number of arcades in Singapore is dwindling but arcades are reinventing themselves. <\/span>Benjamin Wellesley <\/b>finds out how these childhood icons stay relevant as he delves deeper into youths\u2019 reminiscences.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1463px” custom_margin=”-183px||-385px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0|27px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”0px|19px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_linked_phone=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.4em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n BY <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”1320px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-415px||-616px||” custom_padding=”|0px||0px||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Exhilarated screams, the zings of virtual bullets firing at zombies, a medley of jingles emitting from various machines\u2026\u00a0 These are familiar sounds which evoke remembrances of the arcade.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cArcades were where I spent the most time with my friends outside of school,\u201d said Faith Goh, 19. \u201cWe used to go to arcades all the time to celebrate special occasions [and] the end of exams.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Arcade franchises also plastered their premises with notices to restrict the entry of throngs of youths clad in school attire.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI remember changing out of my uniform after school ended back in primary school. [My friends and I] would go down to the nearest arcade and play games with all the remaining pocket money we had,\u201d said Faith, who is currently waiting for university to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n Arcade-goers could be seen virtually racing against each other, revelling in joy at receiving rare cards from a card-dispensing machine or even strutting their stuff on the dance floor.<\/span><\/p>\n With games catering to people with different interests, one was bound to find a game that captivated them. For Singapore Polytechnic student Sherwin Tan, 18, that game was Pump It Up.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/sherwinPIU.jpg” alt=”A fitness mat with a laptop showing Chloe Ting’s ab workout for people who are trying to stay fit during the circuit breaker period which was set in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 cases in Singapore.” title_text=”sherwinPIU” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”center” height=”699px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” min_height=”33px” custom_margin=”-26px|||||” custom_padding=”11px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sherwin Tan poses on the machine of his go-to arcade game, Pump It Up. Photo courtesy of Sherwin Tan.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The dance floor simulator game first caught Sherwin\u2019s attention when he was in primary school, but he wouldn\u2019t play it because of his shyness. Sherwin elaborated: \u201cAfter \u2018O\u2019 levels ended, I took up a part-time job in the arcade, and with free games at times, I decided to try it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Since then, Sherwin\u2019s love for the game has compelled him to visit the arcade regularly. He said: \u201c[Before the circuit breaker], I would go maybe once every two weeks, [spending] one to two hours inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n However, it seems that the days of glory are almost over for the traditional arcade. Amusement franchise Zone X had nine outlets <\/span>across <\/span>Singapore in 2010 <\/span>but <\/span>now<\/span> only three still stand.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt’s definitely becoming more pricey,\u201d Faith said. \u201cEach game [used to] cost us around S$1 [but] games these days range from S$2 to S$4.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n With the emergence of convenient entertainment sources like the Nintendo Switch and mobile gaming, arcades have been dethroned from the apex of the entertainment scene.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs much as I would like to see youths hanging out physically in arcades, technology has already [taken] over [many] of the things that we do,\u201d Sherwin conceded, further elaborating that the future of arcades seemed bleak. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI doubt that arcades would flourish in the future, since playing games online might even be cheaper,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Sherwin Tan, 18″ job_title=”Singapore Polytechnic student” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I doubt that arcades would flourish in the future, since playing games online might even be cheaper.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/spongebob-jones.jpeg” alt=”Ethel Francine Tan, a spin structor at fitness boutique studio Ground Zero, conducting a spin class when fitness studios were still opened prior to the circuit breaker period introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Singapore.” title_text=”spongebob jones” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”699px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The SpongeBob coin pusher machine is a fan favourite game among frequent customers of Arcade 1998. Photo courtesy of Jones Ong.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With rising demands for different forms of entertainment, new arcade concepts have emerged in a bid to remain relevant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Arcade 1998, a new business that opened in December 2018, stands out by deviating from the traditional style of arcades with their basketball machines and racing games. Instead, the modern arcade relies on retro themes and a ticket redemption system with a high win rate to capture its market.<\/span><\/p>\n The founder, Jones Ong, 22, started by operating HypeDrop, a game machine which gives players a chance to win \u2018hype\u2019 clothing from brands such as Off-White and Supreme.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen looking around for a new business <\/span>[idea]<\/span>, we found that many adults lacked avenues to de-stress,\u201d explained Jones. \u201c[Arcade 1998] was a natural progression of HypeDrop as we saw an exploding demand for ticket redemption arcades in Singapore.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Featuring a variety of claw machines, the modern arcade places a high emphasis on low costs and attractive prizes ranging from iPhones to classic arcade prizes like giant plushies.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe take pride that customers are able to get the most value for their money whilst walking away [content] that they were not cheated,\u201d added Mr Ong, 22.\u00a0\u201cAs customers of other arcades, we felt that we often left these centres feeling like losers as we were cheated of our money for a mere keychain or eraser.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Jones Ong, 22″ job_title=”Founder of HypeDrop” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As customers of other arcades, we felt that we often left these centres feeling like losers as we were cheated of our money for a mere keychain or eraser.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Merging futuristic technology and the tangibility of a physical space is Sandbox VR, which utilises state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology to provide its audience with an immersive gaming experience.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_3130-scaled.jpeg” title_text=”IMG_3130″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A group of arcade-goers donning their VR goggles and interacting within the virtual world projected within. Photo courtesy of Eugene Goh.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Launched in 2018, <\/span>Sandbox VR\u2019s Business Advisor Eugene Goh, 29, said that <\/span>there is \u201can increasing<\/span> demand for VR-related activities\u201d locally, and that their \u201cdaily occupancy rate is approximately 75 per cent\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Goh elaborated: \u201cI feel that the main allure is the novelty of the experience where the user enters a different world in a first-person perspective\u2026\u00a0 It is a new take on the regular team-bonding activity and this fresh perspective helps bring in the customers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eugene Goh, 29″ job_title=”Sandbox VR’s Business Advisor” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I feel that the main allure is the novelty of the experience where the user enters a different world in a first-person perspective\u2026 It is a new take on the regular team-bonding activity and this fresh perspective helps bring in the customers.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n However, Mr Goh commented that while Sandbox VR taps on futuristic technology to delight crowds, there is a niche that traditional arcades fulfil and cannot be replaced. He explained: \u201c[Our] experiences are more costly than your regular amount spent in arcades\u2026 I feel that traditional arcades provide a different experience than VR outlets, and there is no need to change the way they operate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Although the lifespan of the new arcade scene remains to be seen, one thing that can never be taken away from traditional arcades is the nostalgia they evoke; the authentic memories imprinted in the minds of its visitors that remind them of the good old days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEven though I operate a VR outlet, I love spending time in traditional arcades [and] going through the various interesting machines they have,\u201d admitted Mr Goh.<\/span><\/p>\n Jones added: \u201cWe have had many customers explain that the amusement centre is an avenue for them to meet friends and unwind. In fact, it\u2019s an entire community in these centres.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe try to provide customers with experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Rooms” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”100px” height=”408px” max_height=”1000px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”4.16″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”0px|65px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_linked_phone=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arcades in Singapore is dwindling but arcades are reinventing themselves. Benjamin Wellesley finds out more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":462,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[318,320,319,301],"class_list":["post-1820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nptribune","tag-arcade","tag-fun","tag-players","tag-video-games"],"yoast_head":"\n
BENJAMIN WELLESLEY<\/strong><\/p>\nPublished on<\/h5>\n
July 7, 2020<\/h5>\n