Author Topic: Futuroscope VS Retroscope  (Read 13236 times)

Q*ris

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Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« on: August 10, 2011, 09:52:58 AM »
During our vacations in France and mostly because of that sh$ù*tty weather my girlfriend and I decided to pay a visit to the Futuroscope in Poitiers.
As you've probably guessed it's an amusement park with a futuristic theme.
Basically it's just a bunch of 3D rides and the entrance is super expensive, nothing unforgettable...
...plus the concept of "the future" is a high maintenance one imho: how do one want to keep a park looking futuristic except by changing everything at least once a year?

To me the whole park looked more like the idea we had of the future during the early 90s, you know that wanna be futuristic look with crazy shaped buildings...
Now a "retro" theme would be way easier to maintain imho, because, hey, every second that passes, your stuff look a bit older doesn't it?  ;)

Anyway, one specific point on the Futuroscope map made me raise an eyebrow in interest: "The Cyber Avenue"...
...a whole hall dedicated to arcade, yes, in other words an Arcade Hall!

We ended our day by visiting it (yes, the waiting is a sweet thing too in the arcade lifestyle).
Though it's good to see an arcade area in action, I wasn't particularly interested in those games, mainly driving games and simulators (some are really impressive),
but come on: where are the freaking joysticks, man?...
Definitely too modern for me, maybe I'll be interested in them in 25 years or so.  ::)

So, just for the record here are some pictures of the place.
I think it's worth it because not all the machines are super common (especially to be seen together), plus it had that old arcade smell that reminded me of the golden days...
...and the "Jeux Video" neon sign was pretty cool (and so 80's, sorry Futuroscope  :-\ ) !























































« Last Edit: February 12, 2012, 10:42:18 PM by chrischris »

Q*ris

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 09:56:33 AM »
While posting this picture I was wondering: do you think we're witnessing the birth of a Super Villain here?
Do you think something just clicked in that kid's mind that will make him want to travel hundreds of kilometers just to buy that NAMCO machine when he'll turn 30?  ;)

« Last Edit: February 12, 2012, 10:36:33 PM by chrischris »

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 02:12:32 PM »
No way. Think about what kind of technology we, as kids, were used to and compare to what kids have now....they will never have that same feeling in 30 years.....but let's hope I'm wrong ;)

Well at least there is some classics there, even though they are "new":

First (and most) classic: F355. I really think it's earned that status already.
Daytona is another classic IMHO.

And of course the two (!) pinball 2000 machines.

Indeed most of these games are already about a decade (or more) old...

Still nice to see it, it seems to be maintained pretty well.

I've had some doubts about going there two years ago, but I already had that same feeling: Hey, 3D films are not the future anymore....we have them around the corner and in full digital quality....

It's the same reason why the Evoluon (Philips' "future" "museum" had to close it's doors YEARS ago. It was simply impossible to keep up to the date with the present, let alone the future. That in combination that it was an expensive "hobby" for Philips...

Evoluon:http://www.dse.nl/~evoluon/index-e.html

I think the Evoluon still lookes pretty futuristic considering it was built in the 60's !!!:


Building is still there but it's a congress location now :(

I'll never forgot the way it sounded and felt inside....it had this weird "warm" and "smooth" atmosphere....
« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 02:15:59 PM by Level42 »

Superully

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 02:53:27 PM »
thx for sharing that trip with us. however, looking at those pictures i get the same feeling when looking at photos from japanese arcades: those places feel lifeless, without a soul! seeing this,  i'm so happy that i grew up in the 80s and experienced arcades first hand!
all i need is ... PONG - and a select few others: TOUCH ME, DRAGON'S LAIR, JOUST, ROBOTRON, MR DO, SAN FRANCISCO RUSH THE ROCK!!!

Muerto

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 03:01:55 PM »
Thanks for sharing Chris!, It´s a cool place, no doubt about it, but like Ully said, there´s something missing..... the Soul
Of course i would like a machine or to from the place, but as the rest of you guys one here, i love the old stuff!

PS. Will it be og if i used some of the pictures for KLOV - i bet there´s a bunch of machines there ain't picture of.... yet - and we know who´s the MPU (Master Pic Uploader)  ;D

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2011, 04:29:14 PM »
Who did you "please" at KLOV to be "Master Pic Uploader" ?

Anyway, I kinda like it, now I don't have to bother... ;)

Muerto

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2011, 04:51:26 PM »
Who did you "please" at KLOV to be "Master Pic Uploader" ?

Anyway, I kinda like it, now I don't have to bother... ;)


Haven´t pleased anybody, i´m just uploading pictures, and hope they will accept them....

Q*ris

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2011, 10:50:38 PM »
@ Ully: Yes that place was lifeless and definitely not very exciting I totally agree.
@ Muerto: Of course you can use the pics!
I might have a few extras, let me check tomorow and I'll PM you with a link.

@ André: when I was a child the ultimate futuristic thing for me was EPCOT.
Plus it was located in US which made it look even more unreachable for me at that time.
I really thought we would all live in silver ball shaped buildings when I'd grow up.

...and also where are those flying noiseless cars that were on all the year 2000 illustrations???

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 11:21:08 PM »
Yes guys, let's face it....the future is past.

No really, think about this dream:



Gone. For good.

...and this one:



Man, I remember READING about it before it was first launched....this was the future, we were going to space !!

And now ? We are bickering each other, ruled by insane politicians that want to protect nothing but their own career....

Yes, the future is gone....or, as the Pet Shop Boys so brilliantly said it in their 2009 song: This used to be the future....

This TOTALLY captures this feeling I have recently about this all.... :roll: :roll:

http://youtu.be/EJeepE7Awqc

Lyrics:

This Used To Be The Future
(Tennant/Lowe; neoficiální verze textu)
I can remember when this was the future
Where it was gonna be at back then
Why don't we turn the whole bloody lot down
And make a new start all over again?

I can recall utopian thinking
Bold mission statements and tightening of belts
Demolition of familiar landmarks
Promises made and deals that were dealt

This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Let's turn the whole bloody lot down
And start all over again

But that future was exciting
Science fiction made fact
Now all we have to look forward to
Is a sort of suicide pact

Was it the dear old future
That created the problems we face?
How do we deal with the fallout
Of the age we used to call space?

I can remember planning for leisure
Living in peace and freedom from fear
Science that promised to make us a new world
Religion and prejudice disappear

I can remember when this was the future
Where it was gonna be at back then
Now religion and nuclear energy have united
To threaten, oh God! Amen

This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Now religion and nuclear energy have united
Oh God! Amen

Was it the dear old future
That created the problems we face?
How do we deal with the fallout
Of the age we used to call space?

This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Let's turn the whole bloody lot down
And start all over again

amen



Brilliant song and Phil Oakey to boot !!




caincan

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2011, 06:35:06 PM »
i came about last april 2010 (before a roadtrip..)  and the cycraft wasnt there.   (old promo pictures showed 2 cycrafts...).     there was nearly same setup,   the starwars trilogy pinball isn't there anymore.

what was the cycraft game ?   kart or initialD ?

Muerto

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2011, 06:41:15 PM »
Yes guys, let's face it....the future is past.

No really, think about this dream:



Gone. For good.

They are planning to fly the Concorde one more time at the Olympics in London, but i don´t know if it´s durable???

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2011, 08:03:43 PM »
It's about the least durable thing ever made. However, remember this was developed in the 60's and until the oil crisis in the 70's no-one cared about how much fuel it used...

I think it's kinda weird to fly it at the Olympics. It's a thing of the past.

caincan

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Re: Futuroscope VS Retroscope
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2011, 08:33:39 PM »
maybe one day someone will get it in an auction  ::)

like cowboy bebop with the last Columbia challenger space shuttle  ;D