Atari Coin Connection

Test Unit (Continued)
PROMOTION IDEA:
DIRECT MAIL CONTEST
Send out a postcard contest to
the community. The contest should
be somewhat simple: a word game
using the names of games, a maze,
or riddles are some suggestions. To
enter, the completed card should be
brought to your location. You can
·offer a free game for each card re-
ceived as a bonus. Correct entries
can be put in a barrel for a prize
drawing on a specified date.
Mailing lists for this contest can
be obtained from local youth
groups, school or church organiza-
tions. If you get over 300 names,
the mailing can be sent by bulk
mail .
This promot ion idea can be im-
plemented for as litt le as $75 to
$100 and is certain to bring new
players to your location. Also, you
can notify the community news-
papers to try to get news coverage
on your unique cont est.
NBC PINBALL
NBC ( National Broadcasting
Corporation) has it's own ani-
mated pinball game, "The NBC Fun
Machine." Actually, this is a TV ad
which is run during their chil-
dren's programming. It is very cre-
ative - showing the ball shooting
ont o the playfield, hitting bumpers
and going through the spinner as
the copy shows the Fun Machine.
This is an excellent boost for pin-
ball games having the image of
FUN. Our industry owes thanks to
NBC for their clever use of the pin-
ball in their programming. Next
time you have an opportunity to
watch Saturday morning TV, look
for the NBC Fun Machine.
Atari Inc.
1265 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94086
FROM THE EDITOR:
POSITIVE PUBLICITY
test each function on a game to de-
fine where a specific problem can
be found.
This unique testing unit is
Thank you for the many requests plugged into the microprocessor
we have received for the Positive edge connector after the micropro-
Publicity Package. An additional cessor chip is removed. The unit
thanks to those of you who have will simulate the functions of this
sent more positive articles to in- chip while testing the game. It al-
clude in the package. The number lows for checking each function of
of requests have been much higher the game separately.
ROM and RAM memory compo-
than expected; if you have not yet
received the package it should be in nents are quickly checked. A ROM,
RAM or PROM that is working cor-
the mail soon.
We hope that this package of pos- rectly can be plugged into the test
itive news articles will be of value unit and compared to the one on
to you in your business. Please the board to determine if there is a
write and let us know if and how it problem. To test the other functions
has been beneficial. We need your of the game, a reference of address
inputs to evaluate the package. codes or "memory maps" for each
Atari wants to continue to provide game is provided. As the switches
this type of support to our custom- on the tester are changed to
ers to help the industry continue to the address of each func t ion, that
grow in a positive way. We would circuit is checked and any pro -
.like your suggestions on other in- blems will appear either on the
formation you would like us to in- video screen, the playfield on a pin-
clude in future updates of this ball, or on the test unit itself.
package.
. This unit can be a valuable tool
If you would like the Positive for technicians to quickly test cir-
Publicity Package and have not yet cuits and components on the PC
requested one, please write to me, board. It is .a supplement to the
Carol Kantor, Editor, Coin Con- self-test program and can be used if
necti on, at Atari.
the built-in test program i s not
operating. Atari's ROM/RAM Tester
Middle Earth (Continued)
is available through Atari distrib-
catalog for simplified reference utors for under $300. For further
when ordering parts.
information, contact your distrib-
"Atari has implemented all of utor, or Atari Customer Service:
these changes based on reports California office (800) 538-1611 or
from our distributors and oper- New Jersey office (800) 631-5374.
ators. Our goals are to build the
best pinball games in the market,"
said Frank Ballouz. "With these
STAFF
improvements, we are confident
that Middle Earth will continue
its outstanding performance as
Publisher-Atari, Inc.
well as showing significant im-
Editor-Carol Kantor
provements in its reliability and
Art Director-Evelyn Lim
servj_ceability."
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID
Sunnyvale, CA
Permit 317
ATARI~
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