from the editor
We begin the second volume of Play Meter and the new year with a
great deal of anticipatory eagerness because we think 1976 offers some
rather interesting changes and challenges, not only for us, but for the
entire coin-operated amusements industry.
The application of digital electronics to the industry over the past
two years has resulted in a wealth of new games that are relatively
more reliable and unquestionably more profitable than the
electro-mechanical games of the past.
. But with the advent of microprocessor applications to coin-op
games, the apparently limitless possibilities of new game concepts and
designs boggle the imagination.
These new applications and the resurgence in popularity of other
standard games have resulted in many new manufacturers competing
in the marketplace, which should make 1976 a "buyers market" for the
operator.
Non-electrical games, such as pool and table soccer, of course,
should continue to flourish in the coming year because of their relative
low cost and the ease with which they lend themselves to promotional
events. The past year, alone, saw a major increase in the number and
size of pool and table soccer tournaments and 1976 should see more of
the same, not to mention a growing public awareness of the
entertainment and skill values inherent in these sports.
Speaking of awareness, if present trends regarding pinball continue,
the new year should bring a heightened public pressure to do away
with laws that make flipper games illegal. As it is, the demand for
pinball games has jumped fantastically and 1976 should be a banner
year for the manufacturers and distributors.
While we should see many .more states rid themselves of the
ridiculous anti-pinball legislation of past decades, we should be
equally aware of the other side of the legal coin in 1976. Local
governments may still present an obstacle in some areas to the right of
individuals to pursue happiness through entertaining themselves at
pinball.
And, of course, local and state governments continue to levy
outrageous taxes on operators and distributors and it will take an
increasingly vigilant attitude toward off the vulture of unfair taxation.
Operators alone cannot do it, no matter how watchful they are of the
The key to capturing the additional market being created for pinball
will rely upon a manufacturers' ability to establish consumer demand
and consumer preference--tbe consumer being the player--by
providing imaginative gadgetry and play appeal elements and keeping
electrical and mechanical quality at an all-time high.
weekly or monthly machinations of their governments. Because of that
fact, 1976 should bring state associations into a stronger legislative
position. Those states or locales that do not have associations will
probably be forced to establish them in order for operators to survive.
The key to survival, of course, not only means being aware of
governmental activities that can hurt you, but being a smart buyer and
a good businessman, as well. You don't have to be a college graduate
to be that way, either. All it takes is an adequate amount of common
sense and the ability to judge your competition and business associates
accurately.
To help you become that top-notch businessman in 1976, Play Meter
decided to compile something you will need and want to keep handy
throughout the year. The last half of this issue has been devoted
entirely to listings of all the manufacturers, distn"butors and various
support companies that serve the coin-operatred amusement machine
business.
We feel it is undoubtedly the most complete guide available and we
hope it helps you just a little to be successful in 1976.
Ralph C. Lally n
Calendar
January 27-29
Amu 'e m e nt Trade s Exhibi -
tion , London . World' large t
and mo t important trade ex-
hibition (or automatics .
February 6-
outh Carolina Coin Operators
As ociation annual conve ntion,
arolina Inn, olumbia, outh
arolina .
March 2-4
Northern Amu ement Equip-
ment and oin -operated Ma-
chine how , Blackpool, Eng-
land. Large and important
trade how for amu ement
equipment.
March 19-21
Mu ic Operator of Michigan,
annual convention. Weber'
Inn , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 9-11
Wi con in Music Merchants
A sociation, spring conven -
tion. cot land Re ort, Ocono-
woc, Wi consin.
April30-May 1
Music Operators of America
Regional eminar, coin-oper-
ated industry bu iness semi-
nars. Univer ity of Notre
Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.
May 7-
Ohio Mu ic and Amusement
Association, annual conven-
tion . ite not yet elected.
May 14-16
Mu ic and Amu ement. A 80-
ciation INew York l, annual
convention. teven ville Coun-
try
lub , wan Lake, New
York.