Arcade & Classic Games · 62

Classic arcade games often explain themselves through motion: enemies approach, objects fall, and the player's first mistake teaches the goal faster than a manual could. Put that beside this bit of history: High-score initials transformed anonymous machines into local noticeboards; three letters could become a tiny public reputation lasting until someone unplugged the cabinet. Three initials can contain an unreasonable amount of pride when they sit above everybody else's score.