For arcade operators, launching a new game is just the beginning. The ongoing process of game balancing is crucial for maintaining player engagement and maximizing revenue. Unlike digital games, arcade cabinet updates require a more hands-on, physical approach. Operators primarily rely on a combination of direct player feedback and hard data from the cabinet's internal systems. They monitor metrics like play frequency, session duration, and coin drop rates to identify if a game is too difficult—causing player frustration—or too easy, which shortens its earning potential. Based on this analysis, operators can make physical adjustments to the game's hardware. This often involves opening the cabinet to modify its difficulty settings, often referred to as the "knockout" or "strike" rate, which controls how often a player loses. The goal is to find a "sweet spot" that feels challenging yet fair, encouraging players to spend more coins without feeling cheated. This delicate balance is key to keeping a game popular and profitable on the arcade floor for years to come.