LOCATION PROFILE:
THE CAMPUS
Colleges and Un iversities are one of
the best sources for ga n1e players. You th,
16 to 20, is our primary target n1arket.
There are over 2,500 colleges and
universities in the United States an d
about 250 in Canada . Many operators
have rea lized the profitab ility of college
union ga,ne roo1ns. Less comn1on is a
game area in the dormitories or student
residences on ca1npus.
Music Systems Corporation in Mich-
igan is one exan1ple of a successful
campus operation . Russ and Jane
Knechtel, owners of Music Syste1ns,
operate gan1es and music in thirteen
dormitories as well as the un ion on
can1pus at Michigan State University .
There are approx in1ately 1,000 to 1,200
students living in the dormitories who
enjoy playing the ga1nes in the grill/rec
roon1 at their residence. It also has proven
to be qu ite profitable for the operato r.
.
According to Mike McCloud, opera-
tions n1anager for Music Syste1ns, " Pi n-
ball games, foos ball and video driving
games seen1 to be n1ost popular among
the students." He indicated that they
rotate pinbal l ga1nes between the dorms
each tern1 and video gan1es more
frequently to maintain high coll ections.
Mike also said that Music Systems
plans to in1plement so1ne special pro-
1notions at the Un iversity this year .
T-shirt give-aways for high scores on
ga ,nes and a "Games Advice" column in
the school newspaper to answer player
questions are among their pron1otion
ideas. These types of programs are certa in
to increase player interest among the
students.
Because the campus locations are
somewhat seasonal, Music Systems
Co rporation operates separate summer
locations as well. They place the dorn1
games at 1niniature golf courses, driving
ranges and other typical sun1mer loca-
tions when the schoo l year is over.
Operators who have strong sun1n1er
locations that close down in the fal l and
winter might consider placing gan1es on
nearby campuses for the school year .
Dormitories, large student residences and
other places on and near campus where
students congregate are goo d potential
game locations.
If you have a unique game location and
would Like it featured in this column,
please write to Ca,rol Kantor, Editor, and
be sure to include some photographs.
- Editor
1rllMI 1(0)(0)(0)™ PREMIERS
IN WASHINGTON
1
;
I
Ray Galante and Music Vend Distrib-
uting Co. formally introduced Ti1ne
2000TM to operators in Seattle, Wash-
ington on Septen1ber 8th . Forty to fifty
operators were present for the occas ion,
which combined a technical introduction
to the game and a cocktai l, and buffet
reception .
Six representatives fro1n Atari were
present for the Time 2000 introduct ion .
Fred McCord and Don Smith fro1n the
Customer Service Department, together
with Geoff Harrop and Bob Russell from
Pinball Engineering and Manufacturing,
were there to present technical informa-
tion and answer questions . Gil Willia1ns,
Vice President and General Manager of
the Pinball Division, and Don Osborne,
Western Regional Sales Manager, also rep-
resented Atari for the new pinball
presentation.
Fred McCord, Field Service Repre-
sentative, conducted a two hour technical
introduction for the group of operators
attending to explain the features on the
new pinball game and point out effective
troubleshooting methods along with a
question/answer session. More in-depth
tech ni ca I discussions followed with
smaller operator groups.
"The operators seen1ed enthusiastic
about Atari's entry into the pinbaLI
market based on their leadership in video
games," said Ray Galante of Music Vend .
"They are now aware of new companies
in the solid state pinball market and are
being very selective of the games they
purchase," he added . Ray indicated that
because of the service seminar and intro-
ductory party, many operators are look-
ing forward to placing Time 2000 TM in
their locations.
Following the technical discussions the
operators joined the Atari representatives
and Music Vend employees in a gala
buffet and cocktail party .
TECHNICAL TIPS
TEC MONITOR:
The TEC Monitor uses a 1 /2 amp fuse (Number F-903).
Son1e of the TEC Monitor Manuals erroneously call for
a 50 amp fuse. If a 50 amp fuse is used, severe da1nage to the
1noni tor printed circuit board may result.
DRIVING GAME SHIFTERS:
Driving games with four position shifters should have steel shift
rivets. These are now available through Atari distributors,
Part Number A008994-01.