I wanna walk through this because this is a narrative that's been long associated with the FGC at-large for the better part of 20 years now? Furthermore, this is why language matters when discussing those intersections of socioeconomic status and ethnicity. https://twitter.com/_ChereeZ_/status/1272998397021052928

So let's mark a couple of things here:
Yes, socioeconomic accessibility is a big part of the arcade success story and its ties to the rise of the FGC. However, that doesn't completely explain "Blackness of the scene". This is where we start doing cultural critique.

Let's look at the arcade as more than just a place of business (price/variety of games, accessible location). To discuss Blackness, is to discuss culture. The arcade becomes a cultural space in this context. We meet, we share ideas, we engage in camaraderie.

As I go back through the interviews I did while building my thesis (on this very topic btw), for those who were active in that era, there's this recurring, almost universal concept that the arcades were "our spot."

Now when we say spot, we mean that as a space that's culturally relevant/significant to us. Now there was definitely diversity in the arcades, but the idea of "the spot" is something that's really important in Black culture. For us, the arcade was like the barbershop.

Now if you know, then you know...but for those that don't, let's dive in. Barbershops/Salons are straight up institutions in Black community and culture. Even if you ain't getting a cut, you can chop it up with the folks in the neighborhood and share/relate to experiences.

The arcade was effectively that barbershop atmosphere for Black gamers in that time. Even if you weren't actively engaged in gameplay, you are engaged in the broader act of Social Play. Social play becomes a mechanism of building solidarity and community relationship.

So even when we're talking about consoles, chances are that you ain't about to have everybody all up in ya house. But, (almost) everyone can head over to the arcade and hang. Arcades became another space where folks not only played, but shared their experiences and "Blackness".

Forgive me if I'm reaching here, but I'd like to think that our fond memories of the arcade not only as places of competition, but of community and solidarity (arcade crews, neighborhood legends, etc) hold that same fondness that past gens have of juke joints, fish frys, etc.

That was a space for us to be us. That's why our barbershops are so important. We don't just see it as a place of business to exchange money for service, that's a place of cultural significance. We saw arcades the same way, we played but we also hung out with our friends.

At this time, I'd like to tag/highlight some of the folks I was able to speak to, which included @Zizidown and @KPBRodimusPrime. Lemme know if I'm missing the mark on anything, and if so, let's get that discussion popping.