Anticipation is the pre-study of the field, in search of that one plushie that’s both desirable and well positioned.
Excitement is the realization that the claw has a firm grab on your plushie, as it hovers back to its starting position, with the toy in tow.
Joy is the look on a child’s (or adult’s) face, as they watch their plushie fall, as if in slow motion, through the prize door.
It all sounds quite romantic, because core memories are. Stanley’s tries to optimize for these experiences; it’s borne from the simple yet pure bliss that comes from playing claw machines.
Center of gravity, angles, fulcrums, swings - no matter your strategy, winning is infinitely more rewarding (and memorable) when it’s experienced together.
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