"A delayed game is eventually good; a bad game is bad forever."

- Shigeru Miyamoto

"...I just put in something I could remember easily."

- Kazuhisa Hashimoto, on creating the Konami Code

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Litwak's Arcade

Solar Date: October 26, 2000 12:22 PM

"Hey, Mr. Litwak, what's shakin'?"

The sound of ruffling papers could be heard as Larry Litwak looked up from the magazine he was reading at his counter to see a young man, looking no older than in his twenties, carrying a box. "Joe, my boy! Always a pleasure."

"Likewise." Joe looked around the arcade. The usual sight of classic stand-up cabinets, advanced sit-downs and modern deluxe interactives littered the house. All of them emitted noises--beeping and clacking, revving and shooting, thumping and trilling--which Joe knew by heart now. However, the sounds of people crowded around them, for once, was nowhere to be found. "Hey, LL. How come it's so deserted today?"

"Oh, new game console launch. Everyone's in the stores or already takin' 'em home."

"Well, aren't you worried? I mean, if that causes something like this..."

Litwak shook his head. "It's always like this. I've been through all the launches. New toy comes out, people take the time to have a love affair with it. But they always come back. Whatcha got for me today, Joe?"

Joe placed his box on the counter and opened it. After clearing away the snow and peanuts, he pulled out a plastic-wrapped circuit board, along with a marquee which read "Sugar Rush Will Never Be The Same!".

"That one goes above the machine," said Joe, gesturing to the marquee. He then picked up the board. "Because, boo-yah! I give you... the latest and greatest Sugar Rush upgrade! Five new characters, a bunch of rebalances, and an upgrade to King Candy, now making him the 'ultimate racer!'" Joe paused. "At least that's what the pamphlet says."

Litwak scratched his head. "King Candy, the 'ultimate?' I thought the other royal-type already had that title. Penelope or something?"

"Yeah, Princess Vanellope. Just between you and me, I... think they bumped Kingie up to get more guys playing. I mean, you and I know it's a great game, but it's also pretty... y'know. pretty. Y'know?"

"I won't comment."

"Hey, whatevers. Also, along with the new racers, everyone gets a new set of stats that grow with player performance. The whole system's designed to keep the game alive for years to come." He looked around again. "Unless you keep having days like this."

Litwak shook his head. "Joe, I'm serious. I'm not worried."

"And I trust you, but I gotta know. How can you be so 'not worried,' dude?"

Litwak didn't even blink. "Because of the nature of the arcade." He gestured around the large play area. "Variety everywhere you look, all in one place, and everyone's welcome. Kids, teens, adults, couples... we've still got some seniors keeping the pinball tables oiled. They can play, they can talk, they can mingle, they can share each others' smiles and laughs as they go for high scores or first place or a black belt or the last alien invader."

Joe simply nodded, taking it all in.

"And the whole time? It's a place any gamer can feel safe--at least if the person in charge knows what they're doin'. If there are any differences, folks can talk it out, face to face, and if it gets too nuts... well." He reached under the counter, pulled out a shiny aluminum bat, and set it on the ground with a force and sound which caused Joe to step back on instinct. "Ol' Slugger's never failed me yet." Noting Joe's look, he added, "Ahh, don't worry. Never had to actually use this thing. It just sends the message."

"I... yeah," said Joe. "Think I'm startin' to get it."

"Great." The bat was put away. "Litwak's has been in business for decades, son. My Nana'll shut down before this place does, and those are just some of the reasons."

"Well, if you say so. Kind of makes me wish I had a time machine so I can see if you're right or not. Anyways, the instructions are all in the box, and you still know the tech support number, right?"

Litwak sifted through the box. "Yep. not that I usually need it--your company's hardware is always a snap to work out."

"That's what I like to hear! Anyway, gotta jet! Hot date tonight--you were my last stop."

"Ha! Figured as such. Still with Silvia?"

"Same question, same answer. She's the one, man."

"Excellent. Give her my regards."

"Will do, L-Dub! Laters!"

"See you." Litwak watched Joe exit the arcade, then shook his head and snickered. "'L-Dub." He walked across the near-empty arcade, to a pink sit-down racer blaring pop music. "'Sugar Rush,' huh? Another one of those games that'll probably last until this place closes for good."

He looked back at the board laying on the counter.

"Well, it looks like from tonight onward, you'll be seeing lots of changes."