The Future of Wilcox Arcade

Hello, dear readers of Wilcox Arcade. Have I told you how much you kind folks mean to me? Spoiler alert: Anyone who’s ever read my blog articles, played one of my route games, or even given me the simple pleasure of making their acquaintance means the world to me.

Today’s article is one I’ve meant to write for a long time, but I only just recently found it in me to do so. I want to be very clear with you all as to what you can expect from my blog going forward.

I’ve recently been feeling rather unsatisfied with my content. I don’t feel that each individual article is quite as “lasting” as what I wrote early on in my career. Plus, I’m starting to feel ashamed of just how much time I pour into my blog. I need to take a step back and enjoy my youth.

For the reasons outlined above, I’ve decided to scale back to one to three articles a week as opposed to five to seven. My body and mind both need a break. I’m ready to experience more of what the world has to offer beyond video games.

I’m also reworking the type of content I push out. So many of my words from the past three years have been overtly hateful, and I don’t want to behave that way any longer. I’m tired of being negative. I want to lift up my favorite form of gaming—not bash it down with a sledgehammer.

While I don’t make it explicitly clear on my blog, I do practice the Christian faith, and a big part of that doctrine involves treating others as I would like to be treated. Without trying to preach, I want to better articulate my values. The hurtful things I say are straight-up wrong.

On that note, I’d like to apologize to anyone I’ve lashed out at with my writing during my entire tenure as an industry blogger. Those of you I’ve been particularly bad to will receive personal apology emails over the next few months, but for now, I hope you can take this goodwill for what it’s worth.

I never wanted to be a bad guy, but I think I am, and that’s not cool. I don’t want to walk onto a tradeshow floor years from now and draw the ire of every attendee. I want to be a friend to the people who’ve befriended me.

Going forward, I’ll only cover a news item if I have something good to say, and if I don’t, I won’t write about it. By that same token, if I have a grievance with an industry practice, I’ll take a more measured approach to the subject matter. Positive reinforcement is so much more effective anyway.

I should note that I’ve written a LOT of home video game reviews this summer, all of which are scheduled out until November. I’m going to go through them and check for any nasty diction, but I can’t guarantee they’ll be perfect pieces.

There will be no more paid advertising beyond Google AdSense on my website until further notice. Once the Cosmotrons ad time runs out in September, I’ll no longer sell that space. I’m also putting the Patreon idea on hold until I can figure out if it’s really a good idea or not.

I may be less active on social media in the coming months. I haven’t decided yet. However, I believe I should be able to maintain interaction as long I ensure it’s constructive interaction.

I’ve been really dumb for a long time. But you know what? I feel confident that I can turn Wilcox Arcade around. After all, why would I write so much about arcade games if I didn’t like them? Coin-operated games have brought so much joy to my life. I have to repay the favor in whatever way I can.

While I know I can never excuse the mean things I’ve said, I can at least explain. I’ve gotten wrapped up in arcades to a scary degree. I think about games from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed—and that’s not healthy. This passion has become all consuming, obliterating my inhibitions.

The quick rise to popularity of Wilcox Arcade and my relatively young age has been terribly devastating combination. I don’t think before I speak. I have trouble grappling with my “influence”. Being 19 years old is a blessing and a curse.

Please understand that I take full responsibility for my nonsense. I’m a grown adult dealing with grown adult consequences. I just hope that my change will eventually be evident in my actions. I’ll try my absolute darnedest to mend what I’ve severed.

With all that being said, I want to thank any and all readers, players, and supporters again for sticking with Wilcox Arcade for so long. Without you, I’d be nothing—and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Keep it real, ya sweaty nerds. Please stay tuned for what’s next.