Play Meter

Issue: 1980 October 15 - Vol 6 Num 19

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Vol. 6, No. 19
Oct. 15, 1980
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Staff
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Publisher and Editor:
Ralph C. Lally II
Editorial Director:
David Pierson
Features
Managing Editor:
Ray E. Tilley
International Editor:
David Snook
Editor, Coin Slot
Technical Editors:
Zac Oliver
Jim Calore
Correspondents:
Cleaning up an Arcade . ........................... 41
Business accelerated when The Chicago Game Company
banned troublemakers and attracted students and
families by using profession techniques. Here's a report.
The lnduatry Buyer'• Guide
Roger C. Sharpe
Pat Matthews
Tony Licata
Gerry Wise
J . W . Sedlak
Dick Welu
Charles C. Ross
Art Director:
Katey Schwark
Administrative Assistant:
Valerie Cognevich
Circulation Manager:
Renee' Pierson
Classified Advertising:
Valerie Cognevich
Staff Illustrator:
Mars Walker
Advertising Manager:
David Pierson
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER , October 15, 1980.
Volume 6, No . 19. Copyright 1980 by
Skybird Publishing Company . PLAY
METER ( ISSN 0162-1343) is pub-
lished twice monthly on the 1st and
15th of the month . Publishing
offices: 320 Old Hammond Highway,
Metairie, La . 70005, P. 0.
Box
24170, New Orleans 70184 . Tel.
504 1838-8025. Subscription rates:
U. S. and Canada - $25; Europe and
Japan - $45; elsewhere - $50 . Mul-
tiple-subscription orders : 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 ex-
pressed permission . The editors are
not responsible for unsolicited manu-
scripts . Second-class postage paid at
Springfield, Mass. 01101 and addi-
tional mailing offices . Postmaster:
Send Form 3579 to PLAY METER,
P. 0 . Box 24170, New Orleans, La .
70184.
PLAY METER presents our annual compilation of the
new and used games sold in the United States today:
Introduction and Index .... .....•........... .. .... 48
Phonographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Pingames ...................................... 65
Video/ Arcade games .............. ......... .. .... 90
Table games ................................... 110
Other games ................................... 120
Special when Lit: A Review . ..................... 1•
Assessing two unusual new videos, Stem's Astro
Invader and Gremlin/Saga's Carnival, is Tony Licata -
economics journalist, Play Meter correspondent, and
discriminating coin-op games player.
The Retum of The Anawer MM .................. 147
Dick Welu has some burning questions to answer about
the coin-op industry, on which he is-ah, bullish!
Departments
From die Edhor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mailbox . ......................................... 7
Colnman of the Month . .......•.................... I
Operating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Equipment Poll . .................................. 24
Dl8'trlbutlng. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
M1111ufacturlng . .................................. 34
International Newa . .............................. •
M1181c Programming . ..•••..••••••••.••..••••....• G
Critic' a Corner . . • . . . . • • • • • . . • • • • • • • . . . . . • • • • • . . . 140
New Products ................................... 110
Claelfted ....................................... 114
Newa Briefs ••...•••...•••.••.••......•••...••.•• 1111
Cover Credit:
Photography and special effects courtesy of Rich Tracy,
of D. Gottlieb & Co.
European office :
PLAY METER
Promotions, " Harescombe" Watford
Road, Northwood Middx. England,
Northwood 29244.
PLAY METER, October, 1980
3

This column has often devoted itself to matters concerning
operators and manufacturing. There is no question these two -
areas of endea:vor play a vital role in the overall success of the
entire industry. However, there is another branch of the industry
whose devotion and dedication to success runs just as deep. In the
hustle ·a nd bustle of our day to day lives, we often tend to overlook
the importance of this industry's distributors. Distributors are,
in fact, the vital link between the manufacturers and operators :
Without them this industr·y would be in complete chaos.
Day in and day out, distributors all across this country do their
best to keep both the manufacturers and operators happy. And,
believe me, that's not an easy task. Today's distributor often finds
himself walking a very fine line in his efforts to effectively
represent the manufacturers while at the same time giving the
operators as much assistance as possible.
The distributor is indeed the middle man of this industry. In
other industries, middle men are often considered necessary
evils. In this industry, distributors are necessary-period. It
would be a complete disaster if there were no distributors, and
operators would have to buy everything direct from th.e yarious
manufacturers. And, with so much new equipment being produced
by so many different manufacturers, an operator would run
himself cr:azy trying to find out what to buy and where to get it.
With the help of a local distributor, all an operator has to do is
make one phone call or drop by for a visit. In no time at all, he
knows what is selling, what it will cost him, and when it will be
available.
We should also keep in mind that distributors do a whole lot
more than just ~ell new equipment. Distributors are problem
solvers as well. They prevent costly breakdowns with their timely
repair service. They are a source of disposing of used
equipment-and of buying used equipment when you need such
items to fill out your demands. They can arrange long-term
financing for large purchases. They can carry in hand an
abundance of spare parts and supplies. In all, the distributors do a
great deal of support for this industry. Operators would do well to
fully support their local distributor. Not only do they deserve the
support, they've earned it.
In this our annual Buyers Guide Issue, we salute our nation's
distributors and encourage manufacturers and operators alike to
appreciate their efforts in keeping this industry humming along.
Thanks to them, life is easier for all of us .
.o!
Ralph C. Lally II
Editor and Publisher
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PLAY METER, October, 1900

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