Atari Coin Connection

Vancouver Video Games Display
Benefits Cerebral Palsy Group
J.E. WEATHERHEAD DISJ'·RIBUTORS LTD.
VANCOUVER
294 · 8271
EDMONTON 436·0313
Jim Niblock, J.E. Weatherhead Distributors' Vancouver Branch Manager, presents a check
to Bruce Greyell, President of the Vancouver Neurological Centre, while young Garth Harris
enjoys the moment.
,
Video games are being used in a number
of projects as an effective tool in assist-
ing children with learning disabilities. In
addition to their increasingly recognized
therapeutic value, coin video games have
recently been put to work to benefit these
children through a donation of their earn-
ings.
J.E. Weatherhead Distributors Ltd., a
western Canadian distributorship of coin
operated video games, set up a mini
gameroom in the Hi-Tech Rec Videofair
which was held in downtown Vancouver
from October 13-17, 1982. The fair
-which was the first of its kind in Van-
couver-was arranged by the Vancouver
Neurological Centre and featured home
computers and cartridge games, satellite
Promodon
for Profit
players within a couple " match" that
level or score above it on any of the
games, they can be awarded with a fun
pr.ize suitable for sharing (e.g., a picnic
basket, beach blanket, portable radio,
etc.).
Since everything's coming up two-
somes, why not offer a " Red Heart (Hot!)
Special" or ·two-for-one game. Highlight it
by designing a placard in the form of a
large red heart. Back the sign with a
flashing light, and you' re sure to attract
attention and promote play on the design-
ated machine. Many games have a coin-
age option switch on the PC board that
will allow you to give two credits per
coin-providing an
easy method to imple-
ment this particu lar
promotion which
could be used to
"activate" a slower
machine. If you have
a token dispensing
machine in your estab-
lishment, randomly
load it with a few red
or heart painted
pieces. The recipients
of these cou ld be
winners of advertising
specialty gifts (e.g.,
a heart-speckled T-
shirt imprinted with
the phrase: "I left my
heart in so-and-so's
Valentine's Day (February 14th) tor 1983
falls on a Monday. But don't let the
"beginning-of-the-week blues" spoil the
fun tor you and your players. After all,
Monday does mean the day of the moon
which is romantic, indeed, and actually
very appropriate for the occasion. So why
not let Cupid put a little "zing" into your
gameroom for the evening with a few
specially targeted promotions.
This celebrated date presents you with
a natural opportunity to attract increased
patronage-especially of the female per-
suasion. Announce the impending festiv-
ities by mailing a Valentine's Card to
each member of your game center club
or to everyone on your mailing list. Ex-
tend your "heartfelt" good wishes, and
enclose a coupon good only when pre-
sented on Valentine's Day. Proclaim it to
be "Cupid's Couples Night", and greet
each happy duo at the door with a
special discount or free tokens offer.
Now you're really getting into the
swing of things ... a little matchmaking
never hurts. Create your own "Lovers'
Lane" by positioning a bank of th ree or
more games in a select area of the room .
Post a sign over each with a moderately
high point level to be achieved. If both
frequency receiving dishes, video
recorders, and television/stereo com-
ponents. Not surprisingly, however, the
Weatherhead display turned out to be
one of the most popular during the run of
the event. From the moment the doors
opened until closing time, the gameroom
was packed daily with both children and
adults testing their skill against twelve of
the latest in coin video games. Players
ranged from downtown businessmen to
entire families enjoying the games
together. Jim Niblock, the J.E. Weather-
head Distributor spokesman, surmised: "I
think most people would recognize what
wholesome fun arcade games are if they
were able to play the games in the proper
environment. "
But the Weatherhead people did more
than prove a point- they also proved
themselves to be community-minded bus-
inessmen. All the quarters collected from
the games were donated to the
Children's Rehabilitation and Cerebral
Palsy Association, one of the societies
operated by the Vancouver Neurological
Centre. Total proceeds amounted to a
sizeable donation of $2,014. The money
will purchase much needed therapeutic
equipment to be used in the treatment of
infants with the disability.
" The entire experience was a very
positive one for us," stated Niblock.
"People really enjoyed themselves. There
were often line-ups, but everyone was
polite, and there was absolutely no trou-
ble. One of the best things, of course,
was that we were able to donate all the
proceeds to a very worthy cause, and
we're looking forward to putting in even
more games at next year's fair and being
able to turn over an even larger check to
the Cerebral Palsy Association."
gameroom on Valentine's Day.")
So target your audience for this special
occasion and shoot your Cupid's arrow
straight ahead ... you'll pin down lots of
fun for your players and matching profits
for you with these promotional efforts. It's
a good shot at capturing their hearts and
endearing them to your establishment-
ensuring repeat patronage.
Monte Carlo
Goes Atari
Monte Carlo may never be the same
after the filming of "Never Say Never
Again" is finished ... Atari coin video
games have descended upon Monaco's
famous casino for a very "top secret"
scene in the remake of "Thunderball'.'
And although we thought Sean Connery
would never play the worldly James Bond
again-au contraire. He and Barbara
Carrera generate that old "007" magic
on screen.
David Smith, Atari's European Sales
Manager, and a crew of technical
wizards from the Ireland facility accom-
panied the games to Monte Carlo for the
filming. They were involved in setting up
the scene which took seven working days
to capture. The film is scheduled to be
released mid-1983.