Redemption game
Encyclopedia
Redemption games are typically arcade
games of skill
that reward the player proportionally to their score in the game. The reward most often comes in the form of ticket
s, with more tickets being awarded for higher scores. These tickets can then be redeemed (hence the name) at a central location for prizes. The most inexpensive prize
s (candy, small plastic or rubber toys) may only require a small number of tickets to acquire, while the most expensive ones (skateboards, low end electronics) may require several thousand. In general, the amount of money spent to win enough tickets for a given prize will exceed the value of the prize itself. Some redemption games, particularly electronic ones such as Flamin' Finger
involve elements of chance, which can be set by the operator.
A variation on the ticket-based redemption game is the merchandiser
, which directly displays and dispenses merchandise, rather than dispensing tickets which are then redeemed for prizes.
Redemption games can be seen as the modern successor to carnival game
s, as the same general principles apply.
, which features small metal balls which are both used in play and used for redemption, instead of tickets. Pachinko is primarily or entirely a game of chance.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
games of skill
Game of skill
A game of skill is a game where the outcome is determined mainly by mental and/or physical skill, rather than by pure chance.One benefit of games of skill is that they are a means of exploring one's own capabilities. Games encourage the player to look at, understand, and experience things...
that reward the player proportionally to their score in the game. The reward most often comes in the form of ticket
Ticket (receipt)
A ticket may be a pick-up ticket, for example when retrieving clothing from a dry cleaning shop or an automobile from a repair shop, or putting things in storage at a train station, cloakroom, etc. It is also used in places where people are required to "take a number" to queue up, such as in a...
s, with more tickets being awarded for higher scores. These tickets can then be redeemed (hence the name) at a central location for prizes. The most inexpensive prize
Prize
A prize is an award to be given to a person or a group of people to recognise and reward actions or achievements. Official prizes often involve monetary rewards as well as the fame that comes with them...
s (candy, small plastic or rubber toys) may only require a small number of tickets to acquire, while the most expensive ones (skateboards, low end electronics) may require several thousand. In general, the amount of money spent to win enough tickets for a given prize will exceed the value of the prize itself. Some redemption games, particularly electronic ones such as Flamin' Finger
Flamin' Finger
Flamin' Finger is an arcade redemption game and merchandiser released by Namco, notable for its retro design and electronic soundtrack.- Gameplay :...
involve elements of chance, which can be set by the operator.
A variation on the ticket-based redemption game is the merchandiser
Merchandiser
A merchandiser is an arcade gaming device, which features a machine that contains a display of merchandise, which can be won by playing the game....
, which directly displays and dispenses merchandise, rather than dispensing tickets which are then redeemed for prizes.
Redemption games can be seen as the modern successor to carnival game
Carnival game
A carnival game is a game of chance or skill that can be seen at a traveling carnival, charity fund raiser, amusement park, or on a state and county fair midway....
s, as the same general principles apply.
Legacy
As revenue from traditional arcade games started to decline in the latter half of the 1990s due to competition from home game consoles and the Internet, arcade operators began to rely on the income from redemption and merchandiser games to remain profitable. These games were often much less expensive to purchase, and had a better return on investment than video games. The revenue of video games would diminish as the titles were released to the home market. Redemption games did not have that problem. Redemption and merchandiser games could generate good revenue for many years, compared to months for most video games. Redemption games have allowed many arcades to remain profitable in an ever changing entertainment market.Pachinko
A Japanese form of redemption game is pachinkoPachinko
is a type of game originating in Japan, and used as both a form of recreational arcade game and much more frequently as a gambling device, filling a niche in gambling in Japan comparable to that of the slot machine in Western gambling. A pachinko machine resembles a vertical pinball machine, but...
, which features small metal balls which are both used in play and used for redemption, instead of tickets. Pachinko is primarily or entirely a game of chance.