Atari Coin Connection

OPERATOR OF THE
’80s
Mike McClelland and
Gary Gullette of Los Angeles
Captain Video of Los Angeles,
California
an arcade with
is
Hollywood
style
ioned interest
in
and
real
old-fash-
being actively
involved with the local commu-
nity. Together, the two qualities
have produced an arcade
is
that
respected by fellow business-
is popular with its cli-
men and
entele.
With a touch of Hollywood
glamour. Captain Video, a color-
ful do-gooder costumed in black
and red leotards, represents the
arcade at various functions. He
was chosen from about 200 job
seekers who answered a "Help
Wanted" ad
looking for "part-
time superhero-type for \Vest-
side: person with pizazz and
chutzpah. Clean-cut. non-smok-
er, non-drinker to rep. a busi-
ness and wear costume at pro-
mo
events". The month long
search ended when Mike
Greene, a 32-year-old screen-
writer,
was
discovered.
Captain Video believes that
"good clean fun” is what video
games are about. He is on
hand for personal appearances
at benefits sponsored by the ar-
cade and he's been known
help
little
to
old ladies across the
McClelland, 34, and Gullette.
in the video busi-
39, started
ness after they test-marketed
games
in their
bail club.
first
private racquet-
Since they were the
to introduce the indoor pri-
vate racquetball club to Los
Angeles back in 1974, they
were interested in new business
concepts. In 1980 they placed
some video games in the sports
center.
"The adults
really en-
joyed them", says McClelland.
Because of the popularity of
games, the two opened Captain
Video's Games in April of 1981.
Since the arcade is not near
any schools, a large percentage
of Captain Video's customers
are older, professional people.
Doctors, lawyers, college pro-
and office workers fre-
quent Captain Video. There are
about sixty games in the ar-
fessors.
cade.
"We like to present a positive
image in the community,” Mc-
Clelland says. The arcade has
been involved with many worth-
while projects. One event which
particularly received
public attention
was
a
lot of
the
“Project Video”. A local
school which provides
^
Mike McClelland and Gary Gullette, owners of Captain Video’s Games.
Captain Video’s Games.
individualized learning program
adolescents needed help in
raising funds to finance a teievi-
sion show based on an original
play written by the students and
their drama teacher. Captain
Video donated a week’s pro-
ceeds from two of their Aster-
oids Deluxe machines to heip
the students reach their goal.
for
Another event was an all-day
free play benefit fundraiser for
street.
As Mike Greene
says, being a superhero
is "not exactly your usual
part-time job".
The owners, Gary Gullette
and Mike McClelland, hoped
having a superhero who could
go out into the community and
do good would be a positive im^
age for their arcade.
Captain Video ready to
conquer
evil.
Learning Disabilities Month. The
donations were distributed
among the schools in the Los
Angeles area. The arcade spon-
sors a youth soccer team in the
American Youth Soccer Organ-
ization and has a booth at the
annual St. Timothy’s Carnival in
West Los Angeles.
Because of Captain Video’s
active involvement with the
community, the arcade has re-
ceived acclaim from other busi-
nesses in the area as well as
from the city council.
The Captain Video character
as well as the philosophy of the
arcade are great models in pre-
senting a positive image in the
community.
Promotion
for Profit
Forming a birthday club at your
arcade can be a fun and easy
way
to bring in additional play-
ers and increase your mailing
list. Register the name, address,
and birthdate of your players
under a specific age (i.e. 13, 15,
18 or whatever is appropriate
for
your location).
Two weeks
prior to the player’s birthday,
mail him or her a postcard
good for 10 free games at your
arcade.