How networking has contributed to the growth of a community of games enthusiasts.
Before the current era of high-tech gaming and super realistic games, video games were much simpler. They were outlined by pixelated graphics, simple controls, and most importantly: imagination. In the 1980s, Nintendo was the dominant company in the video game market, releasing several games which are still relevant today. One of those which are worth mentioning is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, for Nintendo 64. Widely regarded as the best game ever made, it was the first 3D game ever invented, marking a shift in games from a 2D to a 3D perspective. It counted with astonishing landscapes and a great variety of songs, which would set the place in each different location of the game.
To preserve old and even modern games, and make them available for the community, Game Cycle counts on a good relationship with the customers to be able to display as many games as possible. The store is located on Wharncliffe Road, in West London, and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, as it opened in March 2013. With the first store opening in Calgary, it later had one more unit in Windsor, and now in London. The current owner, John Smithers, says it was a grateful surprise to find his job at the store. ‘’I ended up here because I just love games and I responded to a Facebook post for a job, and here we are ten years later’’.
With a wide range of consoles and games, the place offers anything from the oldest console, the Atari, to the newest generations of PlayStation and Xbox One. John adds on by saying that the store is for anyone who’s looking for fun and can cover interests from the most passionate video game collectors too.
‘’We have customers that have been with us since we first opened, and we have customers who even come down from Windsor that come to check us out and have been going to the other branches as well’’.
‘’People that just throw games or consoles in the garbage are actually contributing to the value of these items because they become scarcer. Rare video games are not those that are awesome and/or those that everybody likes. The rarest ones are those who are hard to find or those whom people never heard about’’, says Cameron Demelo, a worker for Game Cycle London.
For now, Game Cycle is looking to get access to more Nintendo games, as those are becoming more and more popular. ‘’Peopl
e come in all the time asking for them. We had to put a sign at the top of a shelf saying that is all we have’’.
They hope they can give people a sense of nostalgia and exploration, as the world of video games is endless and has become a part of people’s lives as a form of culture and entertainment. Even though video games changed a lot over the years, their purpose didn’t: to provide an enjoyable and immersive experience for players.
Meanwhile, Game Cycle is looking forward to receiving new customers and says that still plans on expanding its business.
‘’We’re always looking at the future, deciding whether or not to open more locations and what might be a viable market’’.
Photo by Bernardo Lucca
Comments