For some, these games are also an escape from reality, to get away from their problems, stress or boredom,” he said. “The thrill of winning prizes and the anticipation of winning them are what compel people to keep playing. “This is especially so if the prizes are exclusive merchandise that can be redeemed at only certain arcades,” he added.Īddiction therapist Andrew da Roza said the motivations that drive people to gamble are similar to the reasons people play prize-redemption games. “The prospect of being able to win prizes at the end of playing a game sets arcades apart from other types of gaming. Mr James Walton, who is the transportation, hospitality and services sector leader at Deloitte Singapore, said one of the ways arcades differentiate themselves from mobile and PC games is by offering patrons tangible rewards.

The i-Cube machine at Timezone in Orchard Xchange, for example, gives patrons the chance to win an iPhone, gaming chair or hand massager if they can move and insert an S-shaped key into a keyhole.Įach attempt costs $2.20 in game credits. These machines are positioned near the front of the arcade, enticing patrons with bright, flashy signs and catchy tunes. Said Prof Loh: “The move towards chance-based games could be a way for arcades to get more patrons, as anyone can play these games, compared with skill-based ones, which take more practice to master.”Īt four arcades ST visited in malls, prize-redemption games accounted for about 30 per cent of game machines.

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