FROM THE EDITOR
Spring at last! For most, it was a long difficult winter. People have
been cooped up for months and are just itching to get out and enjoy
themselves.
For the American operator, this means it's time to get extra busy
and prepare for the vacation season. For many operators the spring
and summer season is a losing proposition. Schools are closed, families
are on vacation, college areas are practically evacuated, and business in
general tends to take a dip. A number of operators, however, have
found a successful way to counteract this seasonal decline.
By attacking the problem at its source, many operators have, with a
little extra effort, successfully turned a down season into an up Beason.
The main problem is people, or, more specifically, the lack of people.
During the vacation season, the people that usually play your games
are off somewhere else. Since the people are not coming to the
machines, the only alternative is to take the machines to the people.
Some operators have gone to opening arcades during the spring and
summer months specifically for this reason. They have found that
arcades are probably the best overall solution to this seasonal problem.
Densely populated suburban areas and resort areas make for prime
arcade sites. U you don't happen to be situated near such an area, then
you have to set your sights on finding out where the people are.
Drive-in theaters, public swimming pools, and parks are filled with
people; and with a little extra effort, other possible locations can be
found. But the main idea is to take the machines where the people are
during vacation time.
In this our annual Spring Arcade Issue, we'll first visit with Coinman
Murray Panitz, a successful arcade operator who specializes in arcade
operations in enclosed mall shopping centers. Our interview with him
answers some questions about mall arcades and offers some valuable
insight into other aspects of the business.
Managing Editor David Pierson ponders the copyright law in the
rather hefty editorial that follows. He also files a report for arcade
operations on a revolutionary new idea that can maximize cash control,
prevent theft and break-ins, and lend itself to numerous promotional
applications. And it all has to do with tokens.
Operator /Reporter Gene Beley reports on the opening of two unique
arcades on the west coast. One is a converted theater whose main
attraction is a double-decker bumper car track. The other is an adult
arcade of sorts that overcame political problems and has hit a bonanza
in the 18-35-year-old-age-group.
Add to that a report on the implications of the booming home pinball
market, and our usual lineup of regular departments including a
whopping installment of "Critic's Corner" by PLAY METER's resident
pinball expert, Roger C. Sharpe.
In all , it's anothe.· information-packed i sue which I'm sure you'll
enjoy.
~~----
Ralph C. Lally II
Editor and Publisher
6
CALENDAR
April 6 -9
F.A .M .A .'s " Horizons '78," the new
M arriott Olympic Villas , Orlando ,
Florida
April 14- 16
Wisconsin Music Merchants Associa -
tion , spring convention , Playboy
Club , Lake Geneva , W isconsin
April 26-28
International Coin Machine Exhibi -
tion "ima '7 .. West Berlin , Germany
M ay 19-21
Th e Mu sic and Amu sement Associa-
tion of New York , 197 regional
convention and trade show ,
te -
vensville Country Club . Swan Lake .
New York
Jun e 2-3
Ohio Music and Amu sement A sso-
ciation. annual convention , Co-
lumbus. Ohio
June 8-10
Music Operators of Texas . annual
meeting , La Quinta Royale. Corpus
Christi. Texas
June 16-18
Illinoi
Coin M achine Operators
Association . annual
convention .
Playboy
lub . Lake Geneva , Wis-
consin
July 20-21
Montana
oin M achine Operators
A ssociation . annual
convention ,
Fairmont H ot prings Resort , Butte ,
M ontana
September 15-17
North Carolina Coin Operators
Association , annual
convention ,
heraton
enter. Charlo tt e. North
Carolina
N ovember 10-12
Amusement and Music Operators
A SSOciation , annual convention and
trade show. Conrad Hilton H otel,
Chicago. Illin ois
PL A Y METER, April, 1978