Atari Coin Connection

LOCATION PROFILE:
GAAAES IN THE
HANDICAPPiD CHILDREN
ENJOy
Union
School are enjoying their
new learning aids, Touch Me^f^ games
donated by Atari. It is evident that the
games are becoming more popular among
teachers, physicians and therapists for use
at
Hill
in rehabilitation
the
disabled.
and
as teaching aids for
These are
only two ex-
amples of the many areas where electronic
games have been used for these purposes.
Greg Dannis, Program Director at the
the
It
helps us to
like
it
remember
really do,
I
things better and
your friend Donna”.
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,
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AprO, 40 young developmentally disabled
children spent hours on the game”.
Mary Ann Maloney, Special Educa-
tional Teacher at Union Hdl Elementary
School, commented that the education-
ally handicapped children in her classes
have benefitted from the game. “Not
only do my students enjoy the game, it
helps them to develop concentration and
Coin operated games can be placed
museums
either
in
a
game
area
in
for
patrons or as part of an exhibit. This has
been successfully done in the Franklin
Institute and the Living History Museums
in Philadelphia for example. Elliot Rosen
of Philadelphia, and Elmer Schmidt of
Chicago are two progressive operators
who have worked with the management
of these prestigious museums to effec-
games in their locations.
Rosen said, “I am proud to be
tively place
Elliot
Crippled Children’s Society said “I have
seen for myself that the Touch Me game
quite a learning experience, as well as
an enjoyable pastime. The game encour-
ages the development of good memory,
heightens visual perception
It’s
a
pleasure to see our campers learn while
they’re having fun. At our respite camp in
.
AAUSEUAA
remember. The children
to
ability
have progressed quickly on the game
because they can easily recognize the
rewards for their efforts,” she said.
Ms. Maloney’s students wrote special
letters
thanking Atari for the game.
(Denise Collar’s letter pictured). Another
student writes, “Dear Atari, thank you
for the game Touch Me, it’s a good game.
is
.
GAME
ATARI
children at Camp Costanoan,
by the Crippled Children’s
Society, and educationally handicapped
The
sponsored
able to service this kind of location. It
represents a positive impact on the image
of our industry by emphasizing the
educational and cultural appeal of the
games. In addition this is helping to
contribute to the community by provid-
ing additional revenues to support the
museum”.
Both Mr. Rosen and Mr. Schmidt
that they had to be more
selective in choosing games which would
be appropriate in the museum than in
most other types of locations. Mr.
Schmidt indicated that in some cases he
has arranged for games to be modified
especially for the museum to be displayed
indicated
There were seven other similar letters
which show that the games are more than
“an enjoyable pastime for the average
young person”
they can benefit the
disadvantaged as a fun learning exper-
ience.
Game
positive
donations like these can have a
public
relations
publicity.
in special exhibits.
The concept of games in museums is
limited to any particular type of
as indicated by the San Fran-
effect as well.
The “story” and photos appearing in the
newspapers are good for the image
of our industry and represent positive
local
not
museum
cisco Fine Arts
game
as
part
Museum
selecting a video
of a current exhibit. (See
on pageq).
evident that large
interested
and curious passing through (including
many families) could potentially be an
exciting location for games. Placing games
in
culture and education oriented
a
location might encourage people who
have not previously been exposed to
games to try them. This would definitely
help to expand the target market. Once
article
It is
museums with thousands of
people try games and find them challeng-
and just plain fun, they frequently
ing
join the ranks of gameplayers!
WHAT
IF...
GAMES WERE PLACED IN
WAITING ROOMS AND PATIENT
LOUNGES
IN
A HOSPITAL.