Jared Rea

First of all, I’d really like to thank everyone who has supported, criticised or otherwise provided me with feedback on the No Country for Old Arcades series. I greatly appreciate it and I hope you all enjoy where this series is going.

Part two is officially live and it took a completely unexpected detour, though one I’m extremely happy with. Keystone II isn’t just an arcade, it’s someones home. Albert was kind enough to invite me into the most private of clubs and for a few hours, California’s best put me through my paces. I learned two very important lessons that night. My Super Turbo Zangief is rusty but still capable and that I may actually be the only person who can pull this off.

And I don’t say that out of ego, but more out of frustration. I wish everyone had the bizarre sort of connections and ties to gaming communities that I do because the gaming media would be far more interesting for it. With the corruption and political bullshit that taints about every corner of what people like me do for a living, reading the bread and butter of reviews and previews is impossible because to focus requires one not to roll their eyes so much. Gamers, for as much as you may hear me rant about them as an entity, are completely fascinating to me. I would much rather hear about how we as nerds are embracing our culture beyond cheap Mario knits and wedding cakes. Human stories about video games. What a concept.

On a happier note, a lot of folks have asked that I give a heads up on which arcades I’ll be heading to so that we can have small gatherings and what have you. I’ll start filling you all in next week, so please stay tuned. Thanks!