Classic Mode

Play Meter

Issue: 1978 November 15 - Vol 4 Num 21

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Vol. 4, No. 21
Nov. 15, 1978
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Staff
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PLA. Y METER Survey •••••.••••••••••••••••••••••• 18
Publisher and Editor:
Ralph C. Lally II
Managing Editor:
David Pierson
Marketing & Research :
Beau Eurell
International Editor:
David Snook
Editor, Coin Slot
Technical Editor:
Robin Minnear
Game Doctors
Correspondents:
Roger C. Sharpe
Zac Oliver
Tom Howarth
Gene Beley
DickWelu
Mary Claire Blakeman
Art Direction :
Katey Schwark
Administrative Assistant:
Valerie Mitchell
Typography:
Vickie Lofton
Circulation Manager:
Gloria Dering
Advertising Representative:
Ralph C. Lally II
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER, November 15, 1978.
Volume 4, No. 21. Copyright 1978 by
Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY
METER is published twice monthly
on the 1st and 15th of the month .
Publishing offices: 112 North Road-
way, New Orleans, La . 70124, P. O.
Box 24170, New Orleans, La . 70184.
Tel.:
504 / 282-0261. Subscription
rates: U. S. and Canada-$25;
Europe and Japan - $45; elsewhere-
$50. One order subscription : 2-9, $20
each; 10-24, $17 each; 25 or more,
$15 each . Advertising rates available
on request. No part of this magazine
may be reproduced without expres-
sed permission . The editors are not
responsible for unsolicited manu-
scripts. Second-class postage paid at
New Orleans 70113. Postmaster:
Send Form 3579 to PLAY METER,
P. O. Box 24170, New Orleans, La .
70184.
European office: PLAY METER Pro-
motions, 15 Great North Road,
Brookmans Park, AL 9 6 LV,
Hertfordshire, England .
Western Regional Office: P. O. Box
692, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Tel.
213/ 882-4005.
PLAY METER, November, 1978
PLAY METER has just completed the largest and most
encompassing survey this industry has ever undergone,
and there are some interesting findings therein. Top
pingames, top video games, preferred manufacturers,
equipment lifespans, percentages-it's all herel
AMOA Preview ...........•••............••.•.... 21
The convention schedule, a complete list of exhibitors,
stage show information, and some tantalizing tidbits
about what new games you can expect to see at the
show-it's all here in PLAY METER's pre-convention
package.
What to Look for In
Purchasing New Gam.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41
This month's entry in PLAY METER's Writer's Contest
comes from Michael Mendelsohn who has some good
tips as far as how to decide which games are worth your
money.
How to Bury an Industry ............•••........... If1
Managing Editor David Pierson interviews Thomas
Brennan, chairman of the Copyright Royalty Tribunal,
and gets his reasons why the CRT required jukebox
location listings. It makes for some interesting reading.
An Exldy Odyaey .....................•.•.•.•.... &8
Patricia Smith has prepared this industry profile of the
Mountain View, California video game manufacturer,
Exidy.
SlIk8Cl'8ening Comes out of the Garage and
Into the Video Space Age •.................•.. : .. 121i
R&N Silkscreening, whose work is seen on very many
coin-op games, is a young company with some different
approaches to age-old problems;
From tile Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • •. 4
Mailbox .......................................... 8
Operating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Colnman of the Month ...........••••......•.•.•.• 14
DI8b-Ibuting .................•....••.•••.•.•••••.• &4
M .... c Programming ...............•......•...•...•
Technical Toplc8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 81
Manufacturing .................................. 1_
CrItIc'. CorrIer ...........................••••••. 1_
New Products ............................•...•.. 110
International N ................................. 118
ClMSlfled ....••.•••.......................•..... 131
COVER CREDIT:
R&N Slikscreening of San Jose, California designed this
month's cover. For a story about this unique operation, see
page 125. The graphics for the cover, by the way, come
from nine new games which will be premiered at the AMOA
Show.
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The A.M.O .A. Show is without a doubt the single most important event
of the coin machine year for the U.S . industry . It brings together thousands
of operators , distributors , and manufacturers from all parts of the country
and the world .
It's a once a year opportunity to come face to face with others like
yourself who share your day to day problems, joys , and frustrations . Those
of you who will be attending the show are urged to make the most of it.
Attend the Friday morning seminars , see all there is to see , and, most
importantly , communicate . Introduce yourself to new people , air your
complaints and your compliments to the exhibitors , and share your
thoughts and feelings with other operators . It's your show so make the best
of it .
This year's A.M.O .A. Show also represents another important
event-the open display of gaming equipment. This turn of events will no
doubt raise a few eyebrows and spark some controversy . From our
viewpoint, we're glad to see gaming equipment at the show because it's
been an important segment of this industry's heritage. When operated
legally and under proper governmental regulations , gaming equipment
can produce a much needed increase in revenue for both the operator and
the government. It is being done successfully in many parts of Europe and
the Far East, and there is every reason to believe that soon more states in
the U.S . will be taking a second look at laws concerning gambling and
gaming equipment.
But until then , a word of caution is in order. At this point a number of
overused cliches come to mind . The two that stand out the most in this
situation are "Look Before You Leap ," and "Don't Jump the Gun ." If
you're in doubt as to whether a particular piece is illegal or not , ask the
manufacturer what research he has done on the subject. You might even
ask your attorney or your local district attorney's office for an opinion . As
the saying goes, "It's better to be safe than sorry ."
Last but not least , another important event taking place at this year's
convention is PLAY METER's fifth appearance . As we embark upon our
titth year of service to the industry , we invite you to visit with us at the
show . Again this year we are the only member of the trade press that will
have a booth on the exhibit floor. We will be upstairs in the Continental
Room near the entrance in booth C-57 . We will also be crammed in with
all the other trade booths in the press area located between the East and
West Rooms .
Since we don 't make a habit of putting our pictures in our own
magazine, and you are always reading our names in print, we thought this
month we'd come out of the closet and show you what we look like . Most
of us will be attending the show so be on the lookout for us and feel free to
say "Hello." We at PLAY METER are looking forward to seeing a lot of
new faces at the show and wish you all your best A.M .O .A. Show ever.
See you there .
Ralph Lally
David Pierson
Roger C. Sharpe
Beau Eurell
Valerie Mitchell
Gloria Dering
Vickie Lofton
Katey Schwark
PLAY METER, November, 1978

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