We talked with Brian Ashcraft, contributing editor for Wired Magazine and editor at Kotaku about evolution and recognition. The apropos is the second printing of his book – with the contribution of Jean Snow – on the Japanese arcade scene, Arcade Mania!

: How was the reception of your book in Japan?

BA: Well, I think. It got some traction online with various Japanese websites – a lot of Japanese commenters posted how they wanted to read it and they really wished there was a Japanese version of the book.

“Arcade Mania” was also featured on nationwide program “Zoom In!! Super.” That was quite a big deal as “Zoom In!! Super” is the Japanese equivalent of something like “Good Morning America.” Million and millions of people watch the program – heck, even my kid’s teacher said she saw a bit on “Arcade Mania.”

: And in the game industry?

BA: In the actual game industry in Japan, the reception has been extremely positive. Several companies have said the book is the most accurate portrayal of the Japanese arcade scene ever written in English. One company even plans on using the book to teach its employees in the US about the Japanese arcade scene.

The “Continue?” there in the book was directed towards the arcade industry. I really hope it continues and would be truly saddened if it did not.

: “Arcades in the US dead. Arcades in Japan? Evolving.” you wrote in the introduction. Do you think the arcade scene outside Japan could ever come back to life?

BA: I think it is to a degree, but only in small pockets. It was easy for gaming to move into the living room, but it will be hard for it to move out – save for handheld consoles.

However, there are American and European gamers who hunger for the arcade experience, and there are a handful arcades that give hem that. One arcade that comes to mind is Arcade UFO in Austin, Texas.

These arcades are kind of like revival movie houses that play classic and foreign films. They’re not your standard multiplex theater, but are for a more discerning crowd with more specialized tastes. I do believe there is a market for these type of arcades outside Japan.

Do I think arcade gaming will return to once it was in the US? No. But I wish it would.

The American arcade industry should evolve to suit the tastes of its audiences. The keyword here is “evolve.” The industry cannot get stagnant. That’s the nail in the coffin, right there.

: Let us talk about Kotaku’s evolution. How do you think did it gain recognition?

BA: The site really took off in late 2005 and exploded in 2006. Blogs in 2005 were viewed differently than they are today. People have become more accepting of them, but back in 2005, things were a bit rougher. Blogs were viewed as, I dunno, dangerous? Silly, I know.

What’s more, the type of content Kotaku does wasn’t the norm in 2005. We break news *and* do offbeat culture stuff. We do both. Back then, the vast majority of game sites were straight up news. We were gaming’s red-headed stepchild, and people didn’t really know what to make of us.

: What is your advice to those who want to be game journos?

BA: Write and write a lot. And for goodness sake, don’t be boring. There’s nothing worse than being boring. Have fun, too. Covering video games is a great beat — perhaps the best one. It’s a fascinating intersection of technology, business, interactivity and, yes, art.