FROM THE EDITOR
It is generally agreed that this industry entered upon a new era
several years ago with the incredible emergence of solid state
equipment-in particular, video games. The year was 1971 , and the
company that started it all was a little-known outfit called Atari, Inc.
While Atari is recognized for starting the solid state revolution in the
games business, it should be mentioned that Seeburg Corp. started a
solid state revolution of its own as far back as the late fifties when it
introduced the Model 222 Phonograph that contained the first printed
circuit board. But it wasn't till a decade later (in 1969) that Seeburg
introduced the LS-3 which was as solid state as a phonograph would
get.
Today all the major U.S. phonographs, flipper pinballs, and video
games are available in solid state. Indeed, this industry has changed
drastically over the past several years. And PLAY METER, I am
proud to say, has played an important role in that. Born at the dawn of
this revolutionary new era, PLAY METER came to the national front
in 1974.
At that time t he industry was undergoing a number of changes. The
industry's trade press seemed oblivious to what was going on and was
deteriorating by the day. Before PLAY METER came along, as many
of you recall, the trade press consisted of nothing more than a few
newsletters and a number of fringe publications whose major interests
were in other fields such as records or vending. To these publications,
the amusement machine industry was a stepebild of sorts. News about
the industry was always hidden away in the back near the classified
section of these magazines, giving the impression that their publishers
and editors were ashamed of the industry.
PLA Y METER changed all that and started a revolution of its pwn in
1974 - a journalistic revolution. Dedicated to the operators of America,
I set out to establish a respectable trade publication that would give the
industry the recognition it well-deserved. Being proud of the
amusement machine industry and confident of its future , I think the
magazine has brought the industry a refreshing form of honest
journalism. PLAY METER is a departure from the old-style of trade
journals that are manufacturer/advertiser oriented. This "press-
release" form of journalism, after all, outrages many operators.
Written and edited from the beginning by operators and people with
operating backgrounds, PLAY METER brought forward a style of
journalism that was honest, straightfo.r ward, and sincere. Written by
operators for operators, PLAY METER had to succeed. And succeed it
did, thanks mostly to our many charter subscribers.
Since that time, PLAY METER has led the way for the industry
trade press. Today, PLAY METER features in-depth news stories,
provocative interviews, informative feature articles, new product
reviews, record reviews, charts, and a number of subscriber services
that no other magazine has to offer this industry.
PLAY METER's Update Edition published between regular editions
of PLAY METER, is circulated only to our paid subscribers. Featuring
late-breaking news, updated music charts, more record reviews,
additional technical information, our Update Edition also features a
free classified section which enables our operators/subscribers to buy,
sell, swap, or trade equipment.
The Reader Service Card that is inserted in every issue enables our
readers to obtain additional information on any product or service
advertised in our pages. Our Feedback card provides our readers the
chance to voice their own opinions on any particular subject matter,
make suggestions, or just register a complaint. The Feedback acts as
the vital link between us at PLAY METER and you the reader. In a
very real sense, the Feedback Card in every issue is your voice. I urge
you to use it often. And, by the way, it's post-paid.
Sincerely
Ralph C. Lally II .
CALENDAR
March 31 -April l
Music Operators of Michigan , fourth
annual convention , Michigan Inn ,
Southfield , Michigan
March 31-April2
Convention of Vending and Food-
service Management, 1978 western
convention , Community Concourse,
San Diego , California
April 6-9
F.A.M.A .'s "Horizons '78 ," the new
Marriott Olympic Villas, Orlando,
Florida
April 14-16
Wisconsin~usic
Merchants Associa-
tion , spring convention , Playboy
Club, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
April 26-28
International Coin Machine Exhibi-
tion "ima '78" West Berlin , Germany
May 19-21
The Music and Amusement Associa-
tion of New York , 1978 regional
convention and trade show , Ste-
vensville Country Club , Swan Lake,
New York
June 2-3
Ohio Music and Amusement Asso-
ciation , annual convention , Colum-
bus, Ohio
June 8-10
Music Operators of Texas, annual
meeting , La Quinta Royale, Corpus
Christi , Texas
June 16-18
Illinois Coin Machine Operators
ASSOCiation , annual convention ,
Playboy Club, Lake Geneva , Wis-
consin
July 20-21
Montana Coin Machine Operators
ASSOciation , annual convention ,
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort , Butte ,
Montana
September 15-17
North Carolina Coin Operators
Association , annual convention ,
Sherato n Center, Charlotte , North
Carolina
November 10-12
Amusement and Music Operators
Association , annual convention and
trade show, Conrad Hilton Hotel,
Chicago , Illinois
PubJj sher & Editor
6
PLAY METER , March, 1978