Arcade machines, traditionally designed for fixed, coin-operated gameplay, present unique challenges for player-created survival modes. Unlike modern PCs or consoles, classic arcade hardware often lacks the storage, processing power, or inherent flexibility for user-generated content. However, the handling of such modes depends significantly on the era and design of the machine.

For older, dedicated arcade cabinets, true player-created survival modes were virtually non-existent. The game code was permanently burned onto ROM chips, making modification impossible for the end-user. Any "survival mode" was a pre-programmed feature included by the original developers. Players could not create or import their own rulesets.

The landscape shifted with the advent of arcade systems based on more flexible hardware, like the Sega NAOMI or Taito Type X, which essentially run on modified PC components. For these systems, the potential for custom modes exists but is typically locked down by arcade operators to prevent piracy and maintain system stability. Unauthorized modification often requires specialized hardware or software exploits.

In some cases, developers themselves release official tools or updates that introduce new survival modes, which can feel like "player-created" content if inspired by community feedback. Furthermore, the modern indie arcade scene and platforms like the Arduino are being used to build new machines where creator and player roles blur, allowing for custom survival rules from the ground up.

Ultimately, while traditional arcades resist player modification, the spirit of player-created survival modes lives on through official developer updates, the modern indie arcade movement, and emulation communities where enthusiasts can modify ROMs outside of the original hardware constraints. The primary barriers remain the closed nature of commercial arcade systems and the intentional design for stable, repeatable gameplay.