I've been playing pinball since before The Who penned the song Pinball Wizard. A couple of things pop out. One, the game was $0.25 back then. It's a bit surprising to hear it's still $0.25. It should be roughly $1 per play to keep pace with inflation. Related to that is they were expensive to operate. It got to the point it was rare to find a machine that was 100% operating - and that was in the 70's! Once of the reasons they quickly went away in the 80's (to my dismay), was due to their expense in comparison to the digital arcade games. The kids were pumping quarters into both, but the digital arcade games required far less maintenance. So they made more money.
There are a few barcades in my city. Every single one is setup where digital arcade games are free with the purchase of beer. Pinball costs money. Many of them are $0.50 per game. A few are $1 per game. They're not free. Interesting to hear that's not the case elsewhere. Not sure how they're making the economics work.
> It's a bit surprising to hear it's still $0.25. It should be roughly $1 per play to keep pace with inflation.
Where are you playing?! Most places I go to are $0.75, except for one which is a bargain at $0.50. I probably wouldn't play a $1 game unless it's a game I know well.
I played pinball at Berkeley bowl for 10¢ a game 3/25. I just played at another location across the island from Pacific and it was $2.00 for 3 ball game. Never going back.
There are a few barcades in my city. Every single one is setup where digital arcade games are free with the purchase of beer. Pinball costs money. Many of them are $0.50 per game. A few are $1 per game. They're not free. Interesting to hear that's not the case elsewhere. Not sure how they're making the economics work.