Remember that Seinfeld episode where George discovers his Frogger high score from high school is still on the machine? (Season 9 Episode 18) His name—“G.L.C.”—sits proudly atop the leaderboard, a frozen-in-time badge of glory. Naturally, he decides this moment of greatness must be preserved at all costs.
But here’s where it gets peak George Costanza.
To save the score, he buys the arcade machine and plans a complicated operation to move it—without unplugging it—so the high score doesn’t vanish. He recruits a truck, hires electricians, coordinates the route like a heist... and then, in true sitcom fashion, he ends up pushing the machine across a busy street, dodging traffic just like the actual Frogger game.
It’s absurd. It’s iconic. And somehow—it’s relatable.
Because if you’ve ever fought for a high score, you know the lengths people will go to for a few glowing digits at the top of the screen.
The Leaderboard Mentality
In arcades, high scores are a rite of passage. They’re not just points—they’re proof. That you showed up, dialed in, and outplayed everyone else.
Whether it’s a retro classic or a high-energy redemption game, the thrill of seeing your name at the top is timeless. And thanks to modern tech, many machines now save scores permanently, track global rankings, or link to mobile apps—making the race even more competitive.
Make High Scores a Big Deal
If you run an arcade or FEC, embrace the George Costanzas of the world. Make high scores a thing. Take photos. Post them on social. Create a Hall of Fame wall. Or start monthly “beat the champ” challenges.
These little touches build repeat visits and community—and they cost way less than hiring someone to reroute traffic for a Frogger cabinet.
10 Ways to Promote High Scores at Your Arcade
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Hall of Fame Wall
Take photos of top scorers and feature them on a leaderboard wall in your venue—and across your social media. -
Post-and-Tag Challenges
Encourage guests to share photos of their high scores and tag your arcade for a chance to win small prizes or get featured. -
Monthly High Score Contests
Run regular leaderboard competitions with a prize or shoutout for the top score each month. -
Record the Moment
Capture video clips of players hitting new high scores and share them on your social channels to build excitement. -
"Beat the Champ" Night
Highlight a current high scorer and invite guests to come in and try to top their score. -
Digital Leaderboard on Your Website
Feature an online leaderboard that syncs with select games or manual entries, and display it on screens inside your venue. -
High Score Happy Hour
Create time-based challenges where players who beat a posted score during certain hours unlock bonus rewards. -
High Score Merch
Offer exclusive merchandise or branded swag for players who hit milestone scores. -
Trivia + Gameplay Mashups
Combine themed trivia nights with relevant game challenges to mix up the leaderboard competition. -
Social Story Highlights
Create a dedicated section on your social media to showcase high scorers and keep the leaderboard top of mind.
Keep Players Coming Back
At Player One Amusement Group, we help arcades create experiences players want to keep chasing. From smart game rotations to revenue-sharing partnerships that drive real growth, we focus on what keeps your leaderboard (and your location) buzzing.
Just don’t ask us to help push machines through intersections—we don’t offer that kind of delivery.
