NEWS BULLETIN .... BACKER JOINS CAPCOM ...J olly Backer has left his position Over $20,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the tournament. as director of sales at Data East USA to join Capcom USA's sales Entry forms and information are available by contacting the AMOA staff. IFPA administrative office, 141 W. Vine St., Milwaukee, WI 53212; (414) 263-0233. Advance registrations receive a discount on the entry "I'm very excited to be here," Backer said. "Capcom is an innova fees. tive company with a lot of new technology on the horizon. We're looking forward to bringing this technology to the marketplace." .... TASK FORCE FORMED ... The New York State Coin Machine The job isn't the only thing new in Backer's life. His wife gave birth Association (NYSCMA) board of directors formed a special cigarette to son Bradford Staunton on Sept. 24. He weighed in at 8 pounds, task force on Nov. 29 to combat legislation that would ban cigarette 8 ounces. vending machines. It is composed of board members, representa In other news concerning Capcom, Dennis Sable has moved from tives of the Tobacco Institute and Philip Morris, and other interest the company's consumer division to the coin-op side. He will act ed parties. as special projects manager, handling the sales and marketing of The task force didn't have to wait long to spring into action. At a Bow/ingo. Sable worked at The Leland Corporation before joining Dec. 18 meeting of the Rockland County Legislature, 25 represen Capcom. tatives spoke out against a proposed ban on cigarette vending machines. After a public hearing that lasted nearly three hours, the .... LICENSING DEADLINE NEARS ...J ukebox operators with sponsor of the ban withdrew his motion. Both sides agreed to work unlicensed boxes on location have until March 15 to apply for a 1991 on legislation that would keep tobacco products away from minors. license. The Jukebox License Office will not accept license appli There are, however, other battles ahead. Total bans have been pro cations for this year after March 15. As we went to press, there was posed in the counties of Monroe and Erie, as well as the city of speculation that operators also wouldn't be allowed to get a 1992 Buffalo. license after the March 15 deadline passes. We'll have complete information in the February issue. .... AAMCF SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE ... The American Failure to secure a license by this date means the performing rights Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation (AAMCF) has put societies-ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC-will enter into three separate together a sponsorship package for its annual Appreciation Din licensing agreements with the location, not the operator. ner, to be held in conjunction with ACME on March 22 in Las Ve gas. This year's honorees are Ray Galante and Lou Dunis. As has been noted before, the greater the level of operator compli ance, the lower jukebox fees will be in future years. Operators sur For a $4,000 sponsorship fee, a company will receive a table of 10 passed the revenue benchmark for 1990, which prompted a reduc for the dinner; two full-page ads in the dinner book; recognition in tion in 1991 license fees by $3 per jukebox. the dinner book and ACME program book; and a sponsorship plaque. For more information, contact the JLO, P.O. Box 5458, New York, NY 10185-0044; (800) 955-5853. Those who cannot sponsor the dinner but would like to place a full er half-page ad in the dinner book should send camera-ready copy to Play Meter's Valerie Cognevich, P.O. Box 24170, New Orleans, .... MORIARITY JOINS KANEKO ... Industry veteran Paul Mori LA 70124. The deadline for camera-ready artwork is Feb. 8; artwork arity, who worked most recently for U.S. Games, has joined Kaneko that's not camera-ready must be received by Feb. 1. Call Valerie USA Ltd. in a sales and administrative capacity. at (504) 488-7003 if you have any questions. "I was looking for someone to help me out, someone with exper tise," said president Marty Glazman. "Paul certainly has plenty of ..,. HAPPY SOTH ... Congratulations to veteran game designer Steve that." Kordek of Williams-Bally/Midway, who will celebrate his 50th wed Glazman says the company, which serves as the U.S. subsidiary ding anniversary with wife Harriet on Jan. 27. of video game designer/developer Kaneko of Japan, is currently test ing Gals Panic, a piece designed specifically for street operators. .... DATA EAST IMPROVES PRODUCT. .. Data East Pinball has "It's a sexy takeoff on the Qix theme, but operators can adjust it to announced three improvements to its flipper assembly: make it as sexy as they want," he said. "The response has been 1. There's a newly shaped flipper link with a one-year guarantee. fantastic." 2. The flipper base plate has been increased with a stronger, thick Kaneko USA Ltd. is located at 1370 Busch Pkwy., Buffalo Grove, er metal. IL 60089. The telephone number is (708) 808-1370; the FAX is (708) 3. A shoulder screw has been developed that only has threads in 808-1375. the last s;,6". This screw is used to attach the flipper link and bush ing to the lever arm. The absence of threads will eliminate any slop .... IFPA TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS NAMED ... TheAMOA to the assembly that may have occurred after the threads were worn lnternational Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) has named Mike down-after several million cycles, for example. Hawkins of D & R Star and Dennis Bohrer of Hastings Distributing Also, Data East has promoted Arnie Aarstad to director of field serv as co-directors of the 1st Annual AMOA-IFPA World Championships, ice, pinball division, and Jim Gorman to field service representative. to be held March 1-3 at the Chicago O'Hare Hilton. Steve Epstein of The Broadway Arcade, originally named as tour- ..,. IT'S A BOY!. .. Congratulations to Mark Struhs, Dynamo's vice nament director, resigned the post because of business demands. president of sales and marketing, and wife Jenny, who gave birth The association wished to thank Epstein for his help during its on Dec. 3 to Christopher William. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 1-1/2 infancy. ounces. PLAY METER MAGAZINE, January 1991, Volume 17, No. 2. Copyright 1991 by Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY METER MAGAZINE (ISSN 1048-8243)(UPS 358-350) is published monthly, except for the two issues in January. Publishing office: 6600 Fleur de Lis, New Orleans, LA 70124. MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184, USA. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX 504/7083. For subscriptions: 504/488-7003. Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada-$50. Advertising rates are available on request. NO PART OF THE MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. The editors are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. PLAY METER MAGAZINE buys ALL RIGHTS, unless otherwise specified, to accepted manuscripts, cartoons, art work, and photographs. Second-class postage paid at New Orleans, LA 70113 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send Form 3579 to Play Meter, P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184. PLAY METER 1991 Directory 3 rBLE OF CONTENTS Volume 17, No. 2 1991 Directory Special Issue g S tate of the Industry Report A ''state of flux'' is the best way to describe operator feelings reflected inthis year's survey. As expected, interest in redemption equipment is up along with the revenue figures. Check out the candid operator comments as well. 39 Directory You can find each coin-op manufacturer, distributor, sup plier, association, league, and foreign company within the pages of our handy year-long reference guide, a "must" for in dustry members everywhere. A comprehensive FAX list is also included. 234 Y ear in Review Index So you can't remember which issue contained that special technical article? Fear not. With ouryea~endindexyoucanfind all the regular columns, special features, coinman interviews .. . you name it and we'll tell you just where to find it. CoveR Premier Technology turns to a HORIZONTAL VERTICAL ILLUMINATED sporting theme with its newest PUSHBUTTONS PUSHBUTTONS PUSHBUTTONS pinball, Hoops. A sample of the backglass artwork by Constan Call or write for fully HAPP(ONTRots,inc. tino Mitchell graces our cover illustrated catalog of standard and custom and provides a glimpse of the joystick controls, driving, game, appropriately timed for coin/currency and Manuladuren ol Electronic Controls release at the start of basketball trackball controls, or, 106 Garlisch •Elk Grove, IL 60007 • 708-593-6130 send your specifications. FAX: 708-593-e137 •TELEX: 297249 CONTROLS UR season. 4 PLAY METER 1991 Directory I SHOULD GONE ~~: HAVE TO CENTRAL!! ~.. Che~ "You'll Always Find A Of A Deal!'' • Sales • Service • Wise Advice Representing ALL Major Amusement Li·nes CENTRAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY · 3814 Farnam St. • Omaha, NE 68131 (402) 553-5300 FAX: 402/553-8707 f ROM THE EDITOR • FOUNDER Ralph C. Lally II • Looking back PUBLISHER Carol P. Lally • can help plan EDITOR Valerie Cognevich • the future MANAGING EDITOR Bonnie Theard • NEWS EDITOR Christopher Caire I • t' s the beginning of 1991 as you happened. It can hold us back from ART DIRECTOR Jane Z. Nisbet read this latest State of the In new opportunities awaiting. Ifw e • dustry report. There may be some try too hard to make sense of surprises, some number you can't everything that happened, and PRODUCTION ASSISTANT believe. It's like that for me, too, then put too much effort into try Mary Henderson • as I attempt to make some sense ing to make it ''right,'' then yes, out of the responses we get. I agree that it's fruitless to look CONTRIBUTING WRITERS There's always the joker who tries back. Irving Blackman Charles Ross to screw up the numbers by claim On the other hand, if we can take Frank Seninsky ing he's making $2,000 average a look behind us and learn from all • per week from his video games, or the experiences oft he past year in TECHNICAL WRITERS the guy who pencils in that his an effort to make the next year Randy Fromm videos are only making $1 per even better, then we owe it to Mark Gavett week. Thank goodness for you ourselves to look back. We can • guys who take this seriously. track trends or fads, we can plot EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT I can tell by looking at the the equipment that remains steady, David Snook surveys sent back that some of you and we can see an overview of the • don't take it very seriously. I wish industry through the figures from ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I could make it different, but at operators. Renee C. Pierson least enough take the time to make That's not a waste of time. It's • it a worthwhile project. These been proven over and over again DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING numbers are only averages to give that when operators are healthy, Ron Kogos us all an idea of where our industry the industry is healthy. I think the • is now compared to previous years comments from operators are the and give us a tool to help plan for most telling of all. I know I felt that CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Carol Lea LeBell the future. I knew them a little better after • Jack Rodios of Cash Box reading what they had to say. D Australia magazine said in a recent CIRCULATION MANAGER Renee C. Pierson editorial that it is a "waste of time • to look back at the year that was an exercise of utter futility.'' He's EDITORIAL OFFICES 6600 Fleur de Lis right in a way, but maybe we New Orleans, LA 70124 should understand why. Valerie Cognevich (504) 488-7003 When looking back it is temp Editor FAX: (504) 488-7083 • ting to focus on the bad things that 6 PLAY METER l 99 l Directory GO F0R THE GOLD Rowe presents its jukebox champion: So if you want to be a big winner, go for LaserStar®G old CD-IOOA. -- the gold: LaserStar Gold, rrom Rowe. All Rowe jukeboxes are available LaserStar Gold, with its handsome black through your local music and games operator. color, twinkling lights and regal gold trim, is destined to become the favorite in any loca tion. It has all the great features - dramatic · title display, ease of use - that made our CD-100 such a winner, plus an enhanced CD sound system. QUALITY LEADWERhiSpHpaInPy I, NNTJ O07 T98H1 E 21 n CENTURY LARAMIE INTERESTS 1-800-237-5874 1-800-521-8697 3635 WILLOWBEND BLVD., SUITE 318 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77054 PLAY METER 1991 Directory 9 - STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Valerie Cognevich Good news and bad news as industry matures T his is the twelfth.yeanhat Play Mete< However, once you begin to study the Video Games has tracked the course of the coin numbers, it is apparent that although video Video games still account for a hefty machine industry. Of course, we don't games-from purchases to the average percentage of equipment on operators' make up the figures; we depend on our weekly gross averages- are down con routes. Last year operators averaged about operator/subscribers to let us know how siderably, quite a number ofo ther types of 233 video games on location, while that their businesses are doing. equipment have registered significant number rose 18% to 277 this year. A detailed survey form is sent to jumps. Just one example is redemption However, purchases dropped 12 % , from operators, who are asked to fill it out and equipment, which last year showed a 210,000 to 184,000. This would indicate return it to us. We deeply appreciate those weekly average of $136; this year it that operators are operating more older that take the time to do this and offer our jumped a whopping 84 % to $251 ! equipment than they have in the past. heartfelt thanks. For those who feel that it Although purchases have dropped, there is not important enough to warrant the time are still over a million video games on it takes, I can only ask you to reconsider "I'm finding it hard to location. next year. Each operator's statistics do The percentage of kits to dedicated get locations because help in the final analysis. equipment purchases has changed also. In We'd like to remind you that these of the poor business 1988, for example, operators bought numbers are only averages compiled from 153,000 dedicated games compared to practices of previous the hundreds of surveys we receive. Ify ou 90,000 kits. Last year, just 80,000 are making much less or much more than operators who ran un dedicated videos were purchased com what you see here, that is to be expected. pared to 130,000 kits. This year that ratio supervised arcades. '' However, these numbers will give you an has continued to favor kits-I 06,000 kits, idea of what the average operator is doing. 77 ,000 new dedicated. We strongly advise any governmental Kits have also registered an impressive bodies to refrain from using this report for In an industry judged fairly-or unfair increase in their average gross collections. any legal opinions. It is intended for the ly, as the case may be with video games- it For the first time, the average on kits is private use of the coin-op industry. must be noted that video is simply settling higher than dedicated games-$85 com The biggest changes into its own little niche in a much broader pared to $73 for dedicated games. Last I think many of you will be surprised industry. This year, which we called one year dedicated games had a weekly gross that the industry gross total has risen of transition in our "Year in Review" averageof$78; kits, $62. The year before significantly from last year. In fact, you story in December, makes that observa that dedicated, $92; kits, $68. may find it a little hard to believe. At a time tion even more striking. While we must The number of operators buying fewer when more operators, distributors, and concentrate on video games, since nearly video games rose from 60% last year to manufacturers than ever before are be all operators answering our survey nearly70% this year. While43% ofthem moaning the industry, it may seem ironic counted video as their primary equipment, last year cited price as the main reason they that this total rose from $7 billion to near there is a lot more equipment making a were buying less, this year just 30% said ly $8 billion. heavy impact on the industry. price was the reason. Nearly 19 % reported 10 PLAY METER 1991 Directory