Those of us old enough to remember will generally associate video games with the arcade parlours that were scattered around the city in the past, whose interiors were characterised by big, boxy machines with multi-coloured buttons that lit up, and the air ringing with the distinctive metallic chink of coins being dropped into slots. Many might have memories of standing in line, fistfuls of coins in their pockets, waiting impatiently for their turn at the machines, convinced that this time, this time they would show the others how the game was really played! That atmosphere, where kids nudged and shoved and yelled and whooped, exemplified the joy of competitive gaming. At a time when the same games can be brought into people’s homes, that basic appeal of bashing buttons at the arcade against an opponent is something many avid gamers look back upon nostalgically.
It was about a decade ago that arcade parlours were all the rage in Kathmandu, and games like Street Fighter, that took ages to master, were very popular. A regular at Game Zone in Chakrapath, 22-year-old Bikesh Acharya remembers spending many an hour at the old machines back then, a tradition he tries to keep up even now. “I do play on newer consoles occasionally, but nothing compares to how it feels to play fighting genre games on an arcade machine.” Acharya also nods at the cheap prices, where a five-rupee coin would often give him almost half an hour of playtime.
Over the last few years, the technology behind gaming has steadily evolved, as has its popularity. It is today recognised as an official world sport, and gaming events are held in many countries, with millions in prize money on the line. Nepal, too, has witnessed changes in the past decade with regards to gaming. Increasingly sophisticated gaming centres have opened up of late, fitted out with consoles that far surpass their immediate predecessors in terms of graphics and gameplay—like the Playstation 3 and X-box 360—taking gaming from 3D to HD.
There are currently only a handful of new gaming centres in Kathmandu, but more are sure to crop up soon. Of course, prices at these centres are still a lot higher than what one would spend at a traditional arcade parlour, but as owners are wont to tell you, you’re paying for more than just the games. Fitted with the latest HD setup, patrons can enjoy real-life graphics and top of the line sound effects—in very comfortable surroundings. Rajat Khadka, a regular at Hives Sports Bar and Game Spot in Chakrapath, says that the centre has become a regular hang-out for him and his friends, where they come together to challenge each other in a game of FIFA ‘12 or Fight Night 4, depending on their mood, and basically have a good time. “I have a PS3 at home, but it’s a lot more fun coming here to play.”
It is perhaps no wonder that arcade enthusiasts are becoming fewer by the day, and traditional parlours are scrambling to stay afloat, given the many distractions now available to youngsters. But surprisingly, despite their streamlined offerings, modern game centres in Kathmandu appear to be struggling as well, according to the testimonies of Keshav Gurung, manager at Hive, and Rakesh Maharjan of the PS3 Game Centre in People’s Plaza, who have both noted a considerable drop in customers in the last half year or so. Both attribute this to the growing use of ‘modchips’, devices that can override the restrictions built into consoles, allowing users to circumvent copyright laws to save thousands on game discs.
Cue in, here, a third category of game centres, that fall somewhere between the old arcades and the fancy new game centres. These are mid-sized centres, usually equipped with PS2 systems, and attract the most customers. Bishwa Ranjit from Munna Game Paradise in Bishal Bazaar, who deals with most game centres across the city, says that these PS2 centres constitute the most commissions his store receives, adding that there are hundreds to be found around the city.
The old arcades might be well-past their heyday, and will definitely see little action as time goes on, but it is interesting to note that even modern day gaming centres are having difficulty creating momentum in the city. The popularity of the mid-sized centrCuriouser es is an indication that the gaming demographic isn’t just after newer, more sophisticated experiences for novelty’s sake, but seek better value for their money. Modern gaming centres would do well to keep this in mind, and perhaps could eliminate some of their peripheral services in return for more competitive, and therefore affordable, prices.
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