Why Japan’s arcades are its game industry’s cutting-edge labs

Arcades aren’t what they used to be, especially in the West. They’re looked upon as places for retro nostalgia, not where you’ll find some of the most interesting games available. But that’s where Japan has an advantage as some of the arcades are being used to test cutting-edge virtual reality games.
Above: Japan’s arcade business, as measured by its manufacturer’s association.Image Credit: JAMMA
Arcades, or “game centers” as the Japanese call them