I Castles continued
And for the operator, the game features
a whole range of options that can be ad-
justed easily on the screen in the self-test
mode. This eliminates the need to open the
back of the cabinet because the self-test
mode is conveniently accessed by a switch
through the coin door. The feature pro-
vides a super opportunity to test different
settings for limited periods of time- to fit
the needs of the specific location!
CRYSTAL CASTLES is a
merry chase into a mythical
land of graphically "a-mazing" playfields. Its
cast of incredible creatures thrills at every
turn of game play. And its hero takes char-
acter appeal beyond cute and cuddly-
he's downright charismatic! Bentley Bear
will paw all the vvay to the top in profitability!
The Andersons continued
Security Measures and Community
Rapport Promote A "Clean" Image
This year's installation of a three-camera
security system has eliminated the need for
a large staff. There are usually two family
members on duty at a time. However, dur-
ing "quiet times," one person on alone at
the desk can monitor the entire building.
Vel points out that they have not encoun-
tered any malicious damage or serious
problems because 'the young people ac-
tually police themselves."
The Andersons work in full cooperation
with the school principals and parents in
the area. The junior high school is located
just one block away from the gameroom,
and the senior high school is only up the
hill. During the lunch hour, Electric Paz-
zaazz is wall-to-wall students. At 12:30
p.m., Bill's voice booms over the p.a. sys-
tem to announce that it is time for everyone
to go back to class. With Bill and Vel's con-
sent and through their enforcement,
school officials have on occasion revoked
a student's privilege to enter the arcade as
a deterrent to further wrong-doing . But
most players conform perfectly to the "no
nonsense-no roughhousing" policy. "We
make sure they understand that everything
happening within a block of our place
affects our business directly."
New Game Selection Is a Family Affair
For 1 ½ years, the Andersons have owned
all of their game equipment outright; pre-
viously, they were on a split basis with a
route operator. They still have all of their
originally installed games and make new
game selections on the basis of careful
study and consideration. Bill maintains and
services the games himself. He subscribes
to the major trade magazines.attends trade
shows and workshops, and takes into ac-
count the recommendations of his distribu-
tor with whom he has a plose rapport.
With the border being so accessible, the
family often makes jaunts to the "hot spots"
and test locations in Spokane and Seattle,
Washington to get an eyewitness scoop on
Atari, Inc.
1265 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94086
new game releases. Due to the fees tacked
onto the price of a game (including ex-
change, federal tax, duty, brokerage and
shipping), they must "shop around like
crazy, particularly for games brought in
from the States." The initial outlay is so cost-
ly for each machine that the return on in-
vestment must be virtually guaranteed.
Vel reports that Atari's Centipede®, Tem-
pest®, and Missile Command® continue to
be consistent moneymakers for the loca-
tion. She and Bill even enjoy an ongoing
high score rivalry that keeps them active
on Centipede. She further attests, "The
cocktail Missile Command goes so steadi-
ly that it's the fourth best game overall."
Just keep the steady earners coming and
the Anderson children will keep on top of
the market situation. "The kids help out a
lot in the selection process. They're very
much aware." And now they have an even
bigger vested interest in the business ... all
their own idea as a matter of fact. With sav-
ings accumulated from paper routes, the
two boys each bought a second-hand
game. Dad and Mom helped in the origin-
al financing, however, both games are now
paid off, and the young owners are starting
to bank some money. They still split collec-
tions 50/50 with Electric Pazzaazz (after all,
Dad does make all repairs and then there's
the overhead!), but the investment is giving
them a real sense of responsibility.
Vel always has her camera ready to
snatch a shot here and there-particularly
when little ones come in and try to tackle
the monstrous game controls for the first
time or sprawl across a foosball table. 'The
kids love to browse through the scrap-
books which we keep on a long counter
underneath the scoreboard." There are lots
of smiles and happy faces to capture at
Electric Pazzaazz, and players really enjoy
being part of the '1amily album."
Coin Connection Staff
Editor: Laura Burgess
Writer: Debby Note
Art Director: Brian Balistreri
First Oass
U.S. Postage
PAID
Sunnyvale, CA
Permit 317
AN ATAR I MARKETING SERVICES PUBLICATION
Q A Warner Communications Company
© 1983 Atari , Inc. All rights reserved.
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