If you have never played one of these incredible games, which typically are scams, preying on the innocence of young children - and me - who desire to have a cuddley creature to take home... let me paint you a picture so you can understand the process:
50 cents. "Mommy! Theres a claw game! Can I please please have 2 quarters so I can play to win a really cute monkey?" (Typically the prizes are random.) "Ok." The 2 quarters are dropped in your little hands as you clasp them, a giant smile spreading across your face.
Then you run over to the claw game, proudly displaying your 2 quarters for any other children around to see, because you got the quarters and they didnt. Then you gingerly put one in the slot, wait to hear the clink of it landing inside, then slide in the other one. The game lights up, the claw jerks to life, waiting for you to grab the throttle. Your little hands squeeze the throttle - its not about how tight you hold it, but something about making little fists makes you have more faith. You focus your eyes on that smiling monkey - waiting for you to save him from his cage, then to your hands around the throttle, then to the claw as you begin to move it.
You move the claw left, then forward, then a little more to the left, then backwards, then right, then forward, then left, making sure it is right over the monkey, who now seems to be mocking you with his smile. You quickly look down to see how much time you have left. There never seems to be enough time. With 3 seconds left, you push down on the button to release the claw. Because you dont think the claw knows what it is doing, you hold that button down until it reaches your monkey. The claw encapsulates around your monkey... You let your thumb off the button and watch helplessly, eager to see if the claw succeeded.
The claw closes, trapping your monkey within its metal bars. You smile, because you know you are taking that monkey to a good home. The claw begins to recoil, going upward. It drops your monkey because the grasp wasnt firm enough. You throw your head back and watch the claw return to its starting position, hoping that monkey might hop up to it to ride to the prize bin. But your monkey remains seated in the midst of all the other animals.
You hang your head and head back to your mom, monkeyless. Though she can tell what happen, she asks how it went. You respond, "Can I please have another 2 quarters Mommy?? I HAD it! I did! Ill get it this time! Please!" Seeing your disappointment and your refusal to give up, she digs in her change purse again and pulls out 2 more quarters. Before putting them in your little hands, she says, "This is the last time ok? This is it. I dont have any more to give you." You ferociously nod your head yes, but you dont hear what shes saying - you see those quarters and you are already planning your strategy to win that monkey. Besides, youre going to win this time. There wont be a next time.
As soon as those coins are dropped into your hands, you return to the claw.
If you dont know how the rest of the story goes, scroll up to the beginning of the simulation and read again. Do until exhausted... because that is when the child will finally give up.
Then you run over to the claw game, proudly displaying your 2 quarters for any other children around to see, because you got the quarters and they didnt. Then you gingerly put one in the slot, wait to hear the clink of it landing inside, then slide in the other one. The game lights up, the claw jerks to life, waiting for you to grab the throttle. Your little hands squeeze the throttle - its not about how tight you hold it, but something about making little fists makes you have more faith. You focus your eyes on that smiling monkey - waiting for you to save him from his cage, then to your hands around the throttle, then to the claw as you begin to move it.
You move the claw left, then forward, then a little more to the left, then backwards, then right, then forward, then left, making sure it is right over the monkey, who now seems to be mocking you with his smile. You quickly look down to see how much time you have left. There never seems to be enough time. With 3 seconds left, you push down on the button to release the claw. Because you dont think the claw knows what it is doing, you hold that button down until it reaches your monkey. The claw encapsulates around your monkey... You let your thumb off the button and watch helplessly, eager to see if the claw succeeded.
The claw closes, trapping your monkey within its metal bars. You smile, because you know you are taking that monkey to a good home. The claw begins to recoil, going upward. It drops your monkey because the grasp wasnt firm enough. You throw your head back and watch the claw return to its starting position, hoping that monkey might hop up to it to ride to the prize bin. But your monkey remains seated in the midst of all the other animals.
You hang your head and head back to your mom, monkeyless. Though she can tell what happen, she asks how it went. You respond, "Can I please have another 2 quarters Mommy?? I HAD it! I did! Ill get it this time! Please!" Seeing your disappointment and your refusal to give up, she digs in her change purse again and pulls out 2 more quarters. Before putting them in your little hands, she says, "This is the last time ok? This is it. I dont have any more to give you." You ferociously nod your head yes, but you dont hear what shes saying - you see those quarters and you are already planning your strategy to win that monkey. Besides, youre going to win this time. There wont be a next time.
As soon as those coins are dropped into your hands, you return to the claw.
If you dont know how the rest of the story goes, scroll up to the beginning of the simulation and read again. Do until exhausted... because that is when the child will finally give up.
I am 20 years old and I still go through this process whenever I go to Dennys. I cant imagine what would happen if I ever walked into a casino. This week, my family and I went to Fuddruckers. If you know what Fuddruckers is, you probably already know where this story is going. We ordered our food, found a table, and sat down. Instantly, I spotted a different variation of the claw game. Typically, I dont even go toward the games they have because I have gotten in trouble with them before. I know it is best to stay away. It takes a lot of self control, but I know it is in everyones best interest for me to stay away. This time, though, I thought I had it.
I walked over to check it out, figured it was something I could handle, and returned to the table for $2. Ya! $2! Steep, right?! Well this was one of those games that applied to the adults, containing iPads and iPod Touches. I have an iPod Touch. I dont really want an iPad, but I had to try. I mean... I had to. It taunted me. So my sister walked over to the machine with me, for emotional support. The first time I didnt know what I was doing and completely botched it. The second time, I was millimeters off... No kidding. Being THAT close, I had to try again. I scrounged up $2 at the table, special thanks to my family for supporting my obsession, and returned to the game. This time.... I HAD it! And I had witnesses. But the stupid directions werent clear enough. I even debated with the manager about it. I was standing my ground.
Long story just as long - I walked away empty-handed, defeated by the claw (or in this case, scissors). Every time I walk away from those things, whether I have a prize to show off or I have lighter pockets, I get frustrated. Its an absolute scam. No doubt about it. The companies who make these machines rig them to drop the toys or to run out of time. Everyone knows that, including me. Parents even tell their children that the odds are against them. Do you think that affects their desire to win?? Nope! Does it affect my desire to play those things and win something?... at 20 years old?? Nope! Recently, a friend told me he once won THREE stuffed animals from one of those things in one sitting. THREE! Are you kidding?? Thats impossible. Literally - it doesnt happen. I was so jealous. Heck, I am super jealous. Thats just not fair!
Anyways. Those games do 3 things. They feed on the desires of innocent young children - and me. They prey on children - and me - by dangling the things children - and me - cant resist in front of them. And finally, they scam children and their parents. Parents have to allow their children to try at least once. It is up to them if they are going to keep providing a way to play. But if 50 parents allow their child to play and give him 50 cents, thats $25! Shoot my mom still has a hard time saying no. Im pathetic. And I know it.
Its infuriating that people get pleasure - and money - from preying on innocent children. And yet, I am one of the ones supplying them with the chairs they are sitting in while they decide which cheap stuffed animals to fill the claw machine with. Dont get me wrong, I have conquered the claw machine a few times. Some of the happiest moments I have are when I walked away from the claw with a victorious symbol. Though those times are few, they surpass the memories of losing. Conquering the claw machine is one of the greatest accomplishments. I mean, you beat the system. You put in 2 quarters and walked away with a prize and the attitude of a winner, worth much more than 2 quarters.
I walked over to check it out, figured it was something I could handle, and returned to the table for $2. Ya! $2! Steep, right?! Well this was one of those games that applied to the adults, containing iPads and iPod Touches. I have an iPod Touch. I dont really want an iPad, but I had to try. I mean... I had to. It taunted me. So my sister walked over to the machine with me, for emotional support. The first time I didnt know what I was doing and completely botched it. The second time, I was millimeters off... No kidding. Being THAT close, I had to try again. I scrounged up $2 at the table, special thanks to my family for supporting my obsession, and returned to the game. This time.... I HAD it! And I had witnesses. But the stupid directions werent clear enough. I even debated with the manager about it. I was standing my ground.
Long story just as long - I walked away empty-handed, defeated by the claw (or in this case, scissors). Every time I walk away from those things, whether I have a prize to show off or I have lighter pockets, I get frustrated. Its an absolute scam. No doubt about it. The companies who make these machines rig them to drop the toys or to run out of time. Everyone knows that, including me. Parents even tell their children that the odds are against them. Do you think that affects their desire to win?? Nope! Does it affect my desire to play those things and win something?... at 20 years old?? Nope! Recently, a friend told me he once won THREE stuffed animals from one of those things in one sitting. THREE! Are you kidding?? Thats impossible. Literally - it doesnt happen. I was so jealous. Heck, I am super jealous. Thats just not fair!
Anyways. Those games do 3 things. They feed on the desires of innocent young children - and me. They prey on children - and me - by dangling the things children - and me - cant resist in front of them. And finally, they scam children and their parents. Parents have to allow their children to try at least once. It is up to them if they are going to keep providing a way to play. But if 50 parents allow their child to play and give him 50 cents, thats $25! Shoot my mom still has a hard time saying no. Im pathetic. And I know it.
Its infuriating that people get pleasure - and money - from preying on innocent children. And yet, I am one of the ones supplying them with the chairs they are sitting in while they decide which cheap stuffed animals to fill the claw machine with. Dont get me wrong, I have conquered the claw machine a few times. Some of the happiest moments I have are when I walked away from the claw with a victorious symbol. Though those times are few, they surpass the memories of losing. Conquering the claw machine is one of the greatest accomplishments. I mean, you beat the system. You put in 2 quarters and walked away with a prize and the attitude of a winner, worth much more than 2 quarters.
I love it!! You are so good at telling the details. I was like, awww when you were talking about your little hands! I agree- those people who make those machines should get in big trouble. And who got 3 in one sitting??!! Whatever. You're the best claw grabber I know.
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