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IT'S YOUR
BUSINESS
Where in the world is Ottumwa? The name
now registers a flash of recognition on
faces of coin video game enthusiasts eve-
rywhere. While it is probably best known
for being the hometown of Radar O'Reilly,
a character from the popular television
comedy series "M*A*S*H," this city in Iowa
is attracting national attention through the
incessant efforts of Walter Day, Jr. and his
Twin Galaxies Arcade.
Day is waging a mighty one-man cam-
paign to.bring into focus the positive as-
pects of playing video games. Seizing the
idea to involve not only his own communi-
ty but the state and nation as well, he has
elicited response from Iowa State politi-
cians and even President Reagan on the
subject. During the weekend of January
8-9, he gathered 19 of the highest rank-
ing players in America at his game room
to compete in the first-ever 'Video Game
Olympics." (Incidentally, President Rea-
gan phoned to say he would not be able
to attend the proceedings but sent his
best wishes to all invited!) The event was
highlighted on a recently aired (February
21) segment of ABC TV's "That's Incredi-
ble," which filmed the Video Olympics in
Ottumwa and then featured the top three
contestants in a nationally televised finale.
The Twin Galaxies International Video
Scoreboard has gained notoriety as being
the one credible source in the country that
video game champions can check to as-
certain the latest high scores on their
favorite games over the phone. Day con-
ducts stringent evaluation of high scores
documentation sent in before the entries
are accepted for publishing. Updated
postings of the scoreboard are printed in
various trade and player publications.
During competitions and other special
events, the computerized scoreboard
electronically displays the high scores on
monitors covering one wall of the arcade.
Last March 19, Ottumwa was officially
proclaimed 'Video Game Capital of the
World" by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad,
the Amusement Game Manufacturers As-
sociation (AGMA) and Atari, Inc. The
Governor initiated the early-morning fes-
tivities with a short speech thanking Ot-
tumwa Mayor Jerry Parker and Walter Day
for "providing a forum for fun family enter-
tainment." Don Osborne, Vice President of
Atari Coin-Op Marketing, next presented
the Mayor and Day with the following hon-
orary certificate as well as a Lucite trophy
constructed in the image of the Atari logo
and mounted on a wooden base-now on
display at the arcade:
Whereas: The City of Ottumwa, Iowa is
providing its youth with a play-oriented in-
troduction to the computer age; and The
City of Ottumwa, Iowa is providing a forum
for youth who have achieved excellence in
video game skills and strategies; and The
City of Ottumwa, Iowa actively encour-
ages excellence in these areas; and The
City of Ottumwa, Iowa recognizes the po-
tential long-term benefits these skills will
provide;
Now, Therefore, We, Atari, Inc., and the
Amusement Games Manufacturers Asso-
ciation do hereby give special tribute, due
honor and recognition to the City of Ot-
tumwa, Iowa, and declare it to be Video
Game Capital of the World.
AGMA Executive Director Glenn Bras-
well followed with a presentation to Gover-
nor Branstad of an honorary membership
to the association on behalf of all coin-
operated games manufacturers. The Gov-
ernor took the framed certificate back to
Des Moines with him for display at the
state capital. Statements from Iowa Sena-
tors Charles Grassley and Roger Jepson,
and Congressman Jim-Leach, whose dis-
trict includes Ottumwa, were also read.
The ceremony concluded with Governor
Branstad kicking off a combined Video
Game/St. Patrick's Day Parade down Main
Street .. . a rousing finish to the given
testimonial acknowledging Walter Day's
strides in the industry. He believes in what
he is doing and is determined to pass the
good word about video games. Fortu-
nately, his commitment seems to be
spreading to high places.
Gentlemen, Don
Your T-Shirts
'•
'• '•
'•
' ._ •
Look like a winner in an Atari Pole Position
T-shirt with red and blue racing stripes ...
available in the following unisex sizes:
small, medium, large and extra-large. The
game's so hot you'll feel the steam rise
right off your back! Call Customer Service
toll-free at 800-538-1530.
Coin Connection Staff
Editor: Laura Burgess
Writer: Debby Note
Art Director: Brian Balistreri
Atari, Inc.
1265 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94086
First Oass
U.S. Postage
PAID
Sunnyvale, CA
Permit 317
AN ATARI MARKETING SERVICES PUBLICATION
m
A Warner Communications Company
© 1983 Ata ri, Inc . All rights reserved.