At the Arcade Again, Mom

Something about the letterforms reminds me of the late-60s/early-70s rococo period in display type. Televisions shows from that era had titles that were over the top with swashes and other type flim flammery. Quite lovely.

Also reminded me of playing Galaxian far too long before moving on to Tempest and having to explain to my mom the benefits of video gaming. She never bought any of my reasons. I worked a couple of part time jobs to fund my investment in hand/eye coordination development and early geek foundation.

  • http://badgermeetsworld.blogspot.com Badger

    Ah, Tempest. You were far superior to Asteroids AND Galaxian. (We shall not speak of Frogger or Centipede, for they are abominations before the Lord, although PacMan was sort of okay I guess.)

    The sign makes it look like some sort of Ye Olde English Wild West shooting gallery.

  • http://twitter.com/Leesavee Leesavee

    Considering that your career is built upon the foundation you started with the video-gaming, your mom may have come to the conclusion that spending time in arcades was a wise investment of your time.

  • http://www.regularjen.com jEN

    Love this photo. So vibrant and I love the type. Gorgeous.

  • Tim

    Galaxian was a big part of my mis-spent youth, which I’ve been able to relive somewhat on this site. http://www.1980-games.com/us/

  • http://www.voidmemory.net Tor

    Ah! *sigh* the good times of videogaming.
    I think Galaga was way superior to Galaxian. But I had a better experience playing Space Invaders back in the day.

  • http://ransom-note-typography.com/ jon deal

    We got one ofthese a while ago. Fun!

    I’m loving on FF Zapata for that 1970s stereo-as-furniture feel.

  • http://simplyblissful.blogspot.com/ Tracy

    looks like your “geek” training has paid off handsomely!

  • memikeyounot

    That sign sort of reminds of Lagoon Amusement (the one of my youth, not the pseudo-Disneyland that it is today) in Farmington. Not sure they had a sign like that, but it has that flavor. They had a real penny arcade!

  • http://billandjill.com Bill (not Jill)

    Elevator Action. Spy Hunter… Donkey Kong. And once, to impress a girl, Q-Bert.

  • http://www.randomandodd.com Kristine

    Whoa, looks like one we have in San Francisco.
    Also, tempest…bow down to the master, my friend.
    I saw the face of Arkanoid on the final level.
    That is when my geekery began.