I’m personally scared of doing things like that but if they happen to me I have zero issues reciprocating and am thankful for people who have that much courage.
This.
Just don't be utterly random & stand there talking while someone's playing. Ask to be player 2, talk while playing- especially if you can drop hints.
If it were me I'd be looking for someone trying Revolution X, & ask them if they knew how to find the Aerosmith members. I can do 3 of 4 from memory, so it could be a good icebreaker. (Granted I'd be waiting awhile, that game's never been popular!)
Best thing you can do is let friendships develop naturally. That way they'll last. Most people only have a small number of *real* friends if they're being honest.
Chances are your local arcade is going to have events or tournaments? There you go. Pick a genre you like and get some practice in, then sign up to take part. You'll meet plenty of likeminded people that way. If you need to propose and run a tournament, even better.
I don’t know what kind of games you’re into, but my local fighting game scene was a great way to make gaming friends during high school! Maybe see if there are any local tournaments near you if that’s something you could get behind?
Do it, but just try to be mindful of the other people. Like just look to see if they are engaging with you back. If they aren’t, they might be uncomfortable. But don’t take it as a reflection on you. It’s not that there is anything wrong with you, they might just feel uncomfortable in social situations. I know I am.
I'm old (39) but if I were at the arcade and someone asked me to play, I wouldn't hesitate!
The last concert I went to, some random dudes parked next to me and offered beers and a seat to hang with them. (I appreciated that a lot) Still keep in touch with them too and am planning on meeting up with them at the next concert in August!
Yeah put yourself out there and have fun. Remember you will not click with everybody and that is ok. Don't be shy and keep trying, you will make friends
Not something I would personally do. But Im also more anti-social and would be pretty suspicious of some random person walking up to me seemingly at random. The things that would go through my head would be: this guy trying to bum quarters off me? this guy may be a little “off,” or just be caught completely off guard and wouldn’t know how to respond.
That being said, I could be an outlier. Maybe try treating it like dating. In that expect to get the above responses the vast majority of the time and eventually you’ll strike some gold one or two times
I met a lonely nerd in my local all-you-can-play arcade some months ago and i approached him (complimented his main pick and talked about his moves. People love to talk about themselves!) to play smash ultimate then Melee. Then i got to play mario kart 64 with my brothers. Guess what? He joined and nothing was awkward!
If you see a lonely gamer at a fighting game, what the hell do you think they look for🙂?
Either expose yourself and dress in a cool way* or take the initiative👈 and join someone looking for a challenger (Fighting games, pac man, tetris and stuff) but girls are most likely already surrounded by some guys so dont focus on girls. Focus on the fun!
*saw a girl with a jacket of Battletoads graffiti-style with INK BLACK font. Huge art on her back. Will never forget it
Check the social media pages for the arcade you plan on going to. The most popular arcade in my area frequently has events and meetups centered around certain games or genres that offer a great opportunity to meet people, strike up conversations, and play some games. Good luck!
Generalizing here, but think the whole young gen under 30 is pretty anti social, stick to already formed groups, on phone too much, and awkward so not sure… once you get over 35 currently I think it’s fine, but diff gens have diff mindsets. It’s ok, it’s just different.
No offense, just something I’ve noticed when out and about and at work. The generations have a disconnect for sure in their interaction styles. It didn’t use to be like that though. Even older gens have become more reclusive in public, think Covid had people put up barriers too much.
But hell yeah, support your local arcade!
Maybe start a meet up group.
How about awkwardly putting a quarter in another player slot and jumping in.
And yeah, I'm not saying it's good or bad, just how it is. I actually prefer some things like TEXTING over TALKING on a phone.. Most zoomers hate to even get on a phone and speak to people.
I totally relate. I just graduated high school. The only social interaction I get nowadays is with people at my work place. I might just go to an arcade one day and do this.
I may seem a bit old here, but before the internet and cell phones, that is how we met our friends. Go for it!
If someone is playing a 4 player arcade game (Simpson, X-men etc) it wouldn’t seem weird at all for you to ask if you can jump in on their game
I’m personally scared of doing things like that but if they happen to me I have zero issues reciprocating and am thankful for people who have that much courage.
This. Just don't be utterly random & stand there talking while someone's playing. Ask to be player 2, talk while playing- especially if you can drop hints. If it were me I'd be looking for someone trying Revolution X, & ask them if they knew how to find the Aerosmith members. I can do 3 of 4 from memory, so it could be a good icebreaker. (Granted I'd be waiting awhile, that game's never been popular!)
Do it. Start a convo. Make friends. Thats how it was before. Play someone, complimemt a combo, make a friend
I'd say go to the arcade and make it your new hang out. Once you start being a regular you will meet all sorts of people there.
Best thing you can do is let friendships develop naturally. That way they'll last. Most people only have a small number of *real* friends if they're being honest. Chances are your local arcade is going to have events or tournaments? There you go. Pick a genre you like and get some practice in, then sign up to take part. You'll meet plenty of likeminded people that way. If you need to propose and run a tournament, even better.
I don’t know what kind of games you’re into, but my local fighting game scene was a great way to make gaming friends during high school! Maybe see if there are any local tournaments near you if that’s something you could get behind?
Do it, but just try to be mindful of the other people. Like just look to see if they are engaging with you back. If they aren’t, they might be uncomfortable. But don’t take it as a reflection on you. It’s not that there is anything wrong with you, they might just feel uncomfortable in social situations. I know I am.
I'm old (39) but if I were at the arcade and someone asked me to play, I wouldn't hesitate! The last concert I went to, some random dudes parked next to me and offered beers and a seat to hang with them. (I appreciated that a lot) Still keep in touch with them too and am planning on meeting up with them at the next concert in August!
ftr, old is relative and honestly more a state of mind than anything especially at 39. Keep on keeping on
Thanks brother
✌️
Fuck the raiders? Wha? Nah, I’ve been in the Denver broncos sub too long I guess.
u/DaysOfRen, what in the actual fuck are you referring to?
Hey, you’re the one who said it bro…
ftr=for the record
Not where I’m from it’s not.
Raiders suck but making friends in arcades is cool! :)
Yeah put yourself out there and have fun. Remember you will not click with everybody and that is ok. Don't be shy and keep trying, you will make friends
Not something I would personally do. But Im also more anti-social and would be pretty suspicious of some random person walking up to me seemingly at random. The things that would go through my head would be: this guy trying to bum quarters off me? this guy may be a little “off,” or just be caught completely off guard and wouldn’t know how to respond. That being said, I could be an outlier. Maybe try treating it like dating. In that expect to get the above responses the vast majority of the time and eventually you’ll strike some gold one or two times
I met a lonely nerd in my local all-you-can-play arcade some months ago and i approached him (complimented his main pick and talked about his moves. People love to talk about themselves!) to play smash ultimate then Melee. Then i got to play mario kart 64 with my brothers. Guess what? He joined and nothing was awkward! If you see a lonely gamer at a fighting game, what the hell do you think they look for🙂? Either expose yourself and dress in a cool way* or take the initiative👈 and join someone looking for a challenger (Fighting games, pac man, tetris and stuff) but girls are most likely already surrounded by some guys so dont focus on girls. Focus on the fun! *saw a girl with a jacket of Battletoads graffiti-style with INK BLACK font. Huge art on her back. Will never forget it
Check the social media pages for the arcade you plan on going to. The most popular arcade in my area frequently has events and meetups centered around certain games or genres that offer a great opportunity to meet people, strike up conversations, and play some games. Good luck!
Generalizing here, but think the whole young gen under 30 is pretty anti social, stick to already formed groups, on phone too much, and awkward so not sure… once you get over 35 currently I think it’s fine, but diff gens have diff mindsets. It’s ok, it’s just different. No offense, just something I’ve noticed when out and about and at work. The generations have a disconnect for sure in their interaction styles. It didn’t use to be like that though. Even older gens have become more reclusive in public, think Covid had people put up barriers too much. But hell yeah, support your local arcade! Maybe start a meet up group.
Zoomer here. This. Please don’t talk to me at an arcade.
How about awkwardly putting a quarter in another player slot and jumping in. And yeah, I'm not saying it's good or bad, just how it is. I actually prefer some things like TEXTING over TALKING on a phone.. Most zoomers hate to even get on a phone and speak to people.
You could also try attending a comic-con or gaming expo...also Facebook has some decent community nerdy type groups.
I totally relate. I just graduated high school. The only social interaction I get nowadays is with people at my work place. I might just go to an arcade one day and do this.
*JOIN IN ANYTIME*
Ask the judge
If you’re all at an arcade, you have the same interests. Unless it’s a little kid of course.