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John Yu, a second-year psychobiology student, shoots terrorist enemies while playing “Time

With the humming of air vents above, Monday afternoon was a slow day at the X-Cape arcade, as the white noise and flashing screens combined into a seizure waiting to happen.

At around 3:30 p.m., two gamers were playing their 50 cents in different machines. When one gamer left, another seemed to automatically fill his place.

The X-Cape arcade, which has been relocated to the Viewpoint Lounge in Ackerman Union, has a regular community of students who come to play the video games for a few minutes a sitting, a few times a week.

Moved from its former location on the A-level of Ackerman in late February, to make way for the newly opened Jamba Juice, the arcade may possibly be removed by the Associated Students UCLA Board of Directors if they find it is not financially successful.

Some ASUCLA officials have referenced the increasing popularity of home entertainment systems as a factor in the classic arcade’s decline.

But even though use of the machines may be infrequent according to some gamers, some see the arcade as a place for gamers to come together.

Saul Wyner, a third-year cognitive sciences student, said there is a community of students who, while they might not know each other by name, enjoy playing together in a face-to-face setting.

He said these gamers get to know each other by playing during their breaks, and appreciate the face-time they get with their opponents, which is lost in online multiplayer console games.

“I hope that there will be an arcade as long as I am at UCLA and into the future,” Wyner said, adding that he usually plays between 50 cents and $1 during one sitting.

ASUCLA officials could not be reached for comment on Monday on the current status of the decision, but other students have similar sentiments regarding the arcade.

“It’s a nice thing to have,” said Jake Salk, a second-year business economics student.

Salk said “Time Crisis II” is his typical game of choice, along with “Silent Scope EX,” a game where players use a simulated sniper rifle to eliminate terrorists attacking everything from major airliners to cruise ships to desert convoys.

As Salk has over an hour and a half of downtime between classes on some days, he said he plays occasionally at X-Cape, estimating between one or two visits a week, spending about $1 in each visit.

And that’s if he wants to beat the entire game.

When John Yu, a second-year psychobiology student, approached the “Time Crisis II” machine in the X-Cape arcade Monday, he used two words to describe his skills when playing the machine.

“I suck,” he said, as he dropped in his 50 cents.

But as Yu fired his bright blue gun at on-screen enemies, he completed the first part of the game with ease.

Yu said he only plays before he goes home from campus or in between classes.

Raziel Sanchez, a fourth-year Chicana/o studies and Spanish student who uses the arcade infrequently, said $1 is his usual expense while playing in the arcade.

Even so, his fingers moved across the buttons of the “Street Fighter II 3rd Strike” machine with a finesse unlike any typical novice.

As Sanchez fought against his computer-controlled opponent, he stood victorious after two straight matches, only to be defeated in a third.

“When I get a chance, I’ll come here,” he said. He said he prefers the “X-Men vs. Street Fighter” machine, a game he has been playing since his days in middle school.

Sanchez said his gameplay has not increased since X-Cape’s move from its previous location, and even though he does enjoy the roominess of the new location, he appreciated the old location for its darker game setting.

He also added that, at times, there were lines in the middle of the day to play on some machines at the new location, especially the fighting games.