 The proof is in the picture: retro arcades unite generations! | Image: Neon Retro Arcade When did arcades featuring classic video games make a comeback? I’ve been happy to come across several in recent months, as these places and the games of yesteryear remind me of my youth. I recently visited EightyTwo, a video game bar in the Arts District in Downtown LA. I was walking around the area with some friends when the lights and the sounds from the machines drew us in. The place was packed, and I marveled at the site of young adults playing older games – most in the crowd looked as though they were born years after "'82." Nearly every historic game was on hand – Pac-Man, Centipede, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Asteroids, etc. I jumped on Frogger, one of my old favorites. I’ve always loved the bright green, red, and purple color palette. My first few games didn’t last long, as I hadn’t played in years. By the third game, however, I got the hang of it and I had some success. One friend said to the other, “He’s good!” I beamed with pride. A few days passed, and I was still basking in my experience. I was anxious for more, so I Google searched “retro arcade.” I turned up the appropriately named Neon Retro Arcade with locations in Northridge and Pasadena. “An old-school arcade with your favorites from back in the day,” their website beckons. In contrast to EightyTwo, this is an “all ages” establishment – the only beer they’re probably serving is root beer. I have yet to make it there, but it’s on my to-do list between Disneyland and the Griffith Observatory. EightyTwo and Neon Retro take me back to the spots I used to frequent while growing up in Metro Detroit.
There was also my town’s recreation center where I spent time after school and on weekends. They had pool, ping-pong, and air hockey, but the young 'uns quickly abandoned those pursuits the day the 8-bit contests arrived. There were three units and they were almost always in use. Those who weren’t playing hovered around those who were – merely watching was excitement enough. Unfortunately, the games were removed when parents complained that their children were blowing their allowance one quarter at a time.
And there was Chuck E. Cheese's. There was a time when I was a kid that seemingly every other birthday party was held there. For me, the pizza and singing animatronic puppets were merely an opening act to the main attraction. And that, of course, was the electronic fare. Some youngsters enjoyed played Skee-Ball or Pop-A-Shot, so they could earn tickets and redeem them for a Rubik's Cube keychain or a Mr. T pencil eraser. I, however, was more intent on the high score on Dig Dug. So, I love the experience of classic video games played in an arcade for a myriad of reasons. Some folks have tried to convince me of a better way. “You gotta play Fortnite on the couch in your pajamas!” they say. “It's totally lit!” Fortnite? Couch? PJs? That's not me. As for leaving the house to crash dots into one another and while hearing assorted “blips” “bleeps,” and “bloops”... I'm down!
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 Click image to download flyer. Join IABCLA for a holiday networking mixer on Thursday, November 29 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Enjoy the conversation with some of LA’s top business communicators, as well as two complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres from Pearl’s Rooftop’s delicious menu.
Click here to sign up. Please note: the chapter is collecting socks to donate to our homeless neighbors in LA. Kindly bring a pair or two to the event. (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)  Panelists at IABCLA's professional development event in November. Thank you to all who attended IABCLA’s professional development event, Communicating Big Changes, on November 8 in Santa Monica!
Experts in branding, internal comms, marketing, and community-building shared their experiences communicating to their stakeholders, and thereby enabling understanding, engagement, and success. The panelists were: - David Gordon Schmidt, communication director at Strategic Outreach - Jenny Matkovich, marketing director at MarketCast Group - Jose Zavala, director of employer branding, communications and training at Twentieth Century Fox - Ephraim Freed, employee experience manager at Regent LP, moderated IABCLA's next happening will be a holiday mixer on November 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pearl's Rooftop in West Hollywood. Click here to sign up! (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
The event will take place on Thursday, November 8 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Santa Monica. Our panelists will be: - David Gordon Schmidt, communication director at Strategic Outreach - Jenny Matkovich, marketing director at MarketCast Group - Jose Zavala, director of employer branding, communications and training at Twentieth Century Fox - Ephraim Freed, employee experience manager at Regent LP, will moderate Tickets are $25 members, $35 for nonmembers. Student tickets are $5. Click here to register. Remember: “Change in inevitable. Success is not.” In our rapidly changing world, we all have to be prepared to change course – and communicate so our stakeholders come with us. (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.) |
AuthorI'm Eli Natinsky and I'm a communicator. This blog explores my work and professional interests. I also delve into other topics, including media, marketing, pop culture, and technology. Archives
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