The world is a very big place. Thankfully, the Internet makes the size of the oceans and continents seem a little less intimidating. At this point in our history, being cosmopolitan comes naturally. Whether they're casual or intimate, the international relationships we share are simple to establish and maintain. As language barriers become less important and travel expenses diminish, a place like Paris seems hopefully less alien.
I say "hopefully" because I'm a native Parisian.
The distance of my permanent residence from those of my colleagues and peers at Bitmob has left me curious — where are you from? And why, as a gamer, would you want to live there?
This is my Community Homework: I'd like you to make a case for your hometown, country, continent, or wherever. What should bring gamers to your neck of the woods? It could be a themed restaurant, a festival, or a convention.
And in the case of Paris, I can think of two solid reasons why I'd want to stop by.
Cyber Cafés
The idea of a LAN café eludes most North Americans. Why should you pay to play games that you already own? The answer is simple: community. If you're capable of ignoring the fact that you've just wandered into a dank, smokey basement, the sense of comradery in a Parisian Internet bar will grab you immediately. Nothing is more exhilarating than executing a precise maneuver against strangers…with strangers. Exchanging high fives with random people who think like you is more than satisfying.
Also, most cyber cafés offer delivery services. Has your Internet service provider ever presented you a warm croissant with jelly and cream while you were in the middle of a World of Warcraft raid? Probably not, and if "no," then you haven't lived.
Arcades
While the remaining arcades in North America struggle against the threat of bankruptcy, the industry is alive and well in France. The "salles de jeux" of Paris cater to the violent and rhythmic alike. Parisian arcades feature popular dance-floor simulators right next to light-gun cabinets.
And while Parisian arcades aren't cheap — I'll admit it — the variety they provide makes the cost worthwhile. If you're not a fluent French speaker, however, you may run into some problems. You think Dance Dance Revolution is confusing? Try playing it in a foreign language.
When you write an article in support of your hometown remember to tag it with the phrase "gamer tourism." In a week's time, your entries will be collected and we'll all vote on the most desirable gamer destination!