Atari Coin Connection

Issue: Vol 1 Num 3 - 1977 February

© Atari Inc .. 197 7
Atari , Inc. 1265 Borregas, Su nnyval e, Cali fornia 94086
February, 1977
INTRODUCING THE AfAlll/lNS™
Atari's Pinball Division is proud to
announce that the first Atari flipper game
is ready for introduction. "After almost
two years of research, planning and
development, we are confident that The
Atarians will be an exceptionally good
game in the marketplace," says Gil
Williams, Division Manager .
The field test program which has been
underway since November has verified
the strong player acceptance of the game.
It has been the top earning pinball game
in every location in the test program. In
several of these locations it has topped all
time pinball collection records . The
Atarians has been placed next to other
strong games on location such as Baily's
Solid State Freedom and Night Rider,
Gottlieb's Jack's Open and Target Alpha,
and maintained higher collections. Opera-
tors in the test program are enthusiastic
about The Atarians and are eager to place
them in more of their locations.
"The Atari flipper game has some new
and exciting features which add to the
over-all play appeal. Player reactions to
the games in the field have been
over-whelmingly positive," said Eddie
Boasberg, Pinball Marketing Coordinator.
"There are strong indications that in test
locations The Atarians is being played by
people who typically do not play flipper
games, as well as those who are 'pinball
players'," he adds.
The Atarians is a 4 player electronic
pinball game. The large playfield is
designed for a good balance of fast ball
action and flipper action. The player
reactions to this have been extremely
good. The unique memory feature retains
the playfield status for each player
between balls, adding to the overall
challenge of the game. Precise scoring
features, including Hole Kickers, Targets,
Pop Bumpers, and Sling Shots, together
with three special ball saver features and a
SERVICE SEMINAR
FOR ATAAIIANS™
HOSTED B~ ATARI
The new Marriott Hotel at Santa
Clara's "Great America" amusement park
was the setting for a service seminar given
for The Atari ans TM, Atari's all new solid
state pinball game.
Atari distributors sent 35 service
representatives from all over the country
to sessions held on January 17 and 18
hosted by the Atari Customer Service
Department, managed by Don Smith.
The first day's session was conducted
by Steve Nollan, Pinball Engineering and
Fred Mc Cord, Customer Service Field
Rep. and included explanation of the
ga1ne's electronics and microprocessor
functions.
Special emphasis was placed on The
A tarians' self-diagnostic checkout pro-
cedure built into the game's program .
Based on input from preliminary field
tests, service techs were shown how to
repair typical problems that might occur
in location situations. A test game was
intentionally disabled to demonstrate
repair techniques.
variety of bonus scoring features, adds up
to action and play appeal.
The Atarians has colorful, dynamic
graphics and a unique attract mode when
not in play. It has many features which
appeal to players of all levels of expertise
and keeps them coming back for new
challenges.
In designing this game, Atari has made
a special effort to include service features
to simplify maintenance and repair needs.
There is a built-in test mode to assist in
pinpointing problems. Sealed contact
switches and magnetic sensor switches
replace rollovers, eliminating the need for
adjustments and problems caused by dirt
The following question-and-answer ses-
sion produced many useful comments
which will be considered for future
implementation in the Atari pinball
program.
(Continued on back page.)
(Continued on back page.)
I
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EDDIE BOASBERG COMMENTS ON PINBALL
Dear Coin Man:
My name is Eddie Boasberg. As
Marketing Coordinator for Pinball at
Atari, my job is to initiate the field
testing of the Atari pinball and to
interface with both distributors and
operators concerning all aspects of our
pinball games. I am at Atari to gather
information, comments, and ideas from
distributors and operators of our games,
ATARI'S SPAINt 2™
BREAKING RECORDS
Ray Galante of Music Vend, Seattle
says, " Our operators are reporting $200
to $300 a week collections on Sprint 2
video game which has helped to increase
their total gross income of the locations.
"Sprint 2 is earning extremely well in
this area and it has shown the longevity
that we feel will surpass many of the
other video games," says Frank Ash of
Active Amusement Co., Philadelphia.
These are just a few examples of the
reactions to Sprint 2 by operators and
distributors across the country. This game
has the extra challenge of 12 different
tracks to choose from and the competi-
tive element in both the one and two
player modes which have contributed to
its success. There is more action on the
playfield with the two automatic "drone"
cars which adds to the excitement of
each race.
The distributors also reported that
there have been very minimal or no
reports of down time on Sprint 2 by their
operators. They note that the built-in
self-test program has been extremely
helpful for pinpointing those problems
that have been reported and repairing
them quickly.
in order to insure that the Atari pinball is
the best in the market.
The Atarians TM is our first pinball,
and in keeping with Atari standards, is a
great game. By means of extensive
testing, new ideas concerning pinball
games are incorporated in The Atarians.
There are new features in our games that
have been proven in field testing, which
will greatly benefit the operators.
I am looking forward to talking to
you, both distributors and operators, to
get your comments on the game. Please
write to me and let me know your
opinions.
Look forward to nothing but great
pinballs from Atari and start playing with
the future today.
Respectfully,
- -·- - -
__ _,.
Edward J . Boasberg
Operations Manager, Pinball Division
DEBBIE SPEAR AND
CHRIS BUTTERFIELD
CUSTOMER SERVICE
REPRESENTATIVES
If there's a problem that is unknown,
Call Atari Customer Service on the phone.
Debbie or Chris will always be there
To help you with the game repair.
Together with the game technician
They 'II find out bow to fix the condition.
SITDOWN
INJll~IHIV IP>IIIYII
ROLLS
TM
Atari's exciting and highly successful
NIGHT DRIVER iM night racing game is
now available in a limited edition deluxe
sitdown cabinet design. Molded in shim-
mering black metallic fiberglass co1nplete
with colorful race car decal graphics. The
new version adds incredible realism to
this 24 - hours-at-Daytona type video
racing attraction .
Players actually sit in a simulated race
car cockpit with console mounted
4-speed shifter, quick-response steering
and realistic accelerator.
Designed for hours of replay, the
sitdown NIGHT DRIVER offers the same
profit oriented features as the upright
version.
Drivers can select one of three tracks
based on order of difficulty. The monitor
displays an illuminated twisting, turning
roadway ahead. The harder the accelera-
tion, the faster the track comes at the
player, making it harder to stay on the
track without crashing. Realism is
enhanced with screeching tires, crashes,
and the whine of changing RPM's as the
player shifts gears.
" Best" top speed and score previously
achieved for each track is stored and
displayed whenever track-selection switch
is activated.
Special operator options include
Extended Play when driver scores 350
points, and adjustable Game Time to 50,
75, 100 or 125 seconds ... a switch is
provided that also allows operators to
change the game's tracks to a different set
of three courses.
Dimensions are: Height 55", width
30", length 74".
Further information regarding availa-
bility and delivery can be gained by
contacting Frank Ballouz, Atari National
Sales Manager or the Atari Distributor in
your area.
,

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