Play this flash game and help save an arcade

Arcades have been experiencing a slow, painful death all across the country for more than a decade. Now, you have the opportunity to help save one with Stride Gum’s “Save the Arcades” promotion.

People who visit the Stride Gum website and play Zapataur, a simplistic, flash-based shoot-em-up, will be given the opportunity to award their score to one of four arcades. After October 6th, the arcade which has accumulated the highest score from players will be awarded $25,000 to help keep their doors open.

You’ll have to register an account with Stride’s website, which will probably turn off a lot of players who can’t be bothered. Still, it’s for a good cause and Zapataur is actually pretty fun if you can maintain your interest past the rather boring first dozen levels.