Arcaned Machine 5
I was wondering why so many video games involved collecting bonus fruit. It’s a redeeming quality of games that they promote healthy eating, so I’m all for it. I figured it must go back to the first Japanese video game, PacMan. He ran around mazes collecting fruit as bonuses. Then I realized PacMan is probably referencing an earlier coin-operated box, the slot machine. So, why do slot machines have cherries and lemons? Wikipedia tells me that “[An] early machine gave out winnings in the form of fruit flavoured chewing gums with pictures of the flavours as symbols on the reels. The popular cherry and melon symbols derive from this machine. The BAR symbol now common in slot machines was derived from an early logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. The payment of food prizes was a commonly used technique to avoid laws against gambling in a number of states”. That is your fun trivia of the day!
December 19th, 2010 at 1:26 am
Wait, so I’m not going to win a Browning Automatic Rifle?
December 19th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Also: platformers must be easier when you can fly. Brian, have you played Aquaria?
December 19th, 2010 at 9:46 am
I don’t think “eat as many fruits as you can find” is actually a core premise of healthy eating.
December 19th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Admit it…. you just got lazy and didn’t want to finish that last panel. :p
Ribusprissin, it could also be something other than a typical platformer. Could be a side-scrolling maze-type.
December 19th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Ribuprissin – No Rifles. And no tickets to use at the bar either. I’ve never tried Aquaria. I find platformers sooo frustrating that I end up more stressed out playing them than relaxing with a nice game. For a drawer, I could have much better hand-eye coordination. Even though Mario can get wings, I still find that flying too hard to control.
RavenBlack – Pacman did eat them all, but I think most of the other characters just “collected” them. I assumed storing them like the ant from the Aesop’s Fable. But yes, diarrhea is not a cornerstone of healthy eating.
Hoppy – Yeah you’re
December 19th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Brilliant bit of research! I’ma share it!
Yeahhh platformers @_@
May 22nd, 2014 at 1:08 am
I think if you don’t get enough of them, your endeavors have proven fruitless. Also, most people like fruit, so that might have something to do with it.