W'I..AY
ITEm
Vol. 7 No. 7
April 15, 1981
......................
Staff
Publisher and Editor:
Ralph C. Lally II
Editorial Director:
David Pierson
Managing Editor:
Ray E. Tilley
Administrative Assistant:
Valerie Cognevich
Art Director:
Katey Schwark
Circulation Manager:
Renee' C. Pierson
Technical Contributors :
Randy Fromm
Zac Oliver
Frank Seninsky
Correspondents :
· Roger C. Sharpe
Patrick Matthews
Charles C. Ross
Dick Welu
Mary Claire Blakeman
Irving Blackman
Joseph Arkin
Tony Licata
Classified Advertising:
Valerie Cognev ich
Advertising Manager:
David Pierson
European Representative :
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER, April 15, 1981 .
Volume 7, No.7. Copyright 1981 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 ;
Mailing address- P.O . Box 24170,
New Orleans 70184. Tel. 504/ 838-
8025. Subscription rates : U.S. and
Canada-$25; Europe and Japan-
$45 ; elsewhere-$50 . Multiple-
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
expressed permission . The editors
are not responsible for unsolicited
manuscripts. Second-class postage
paid at Springfield, Mass 01101 and
addit i onal mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to PLAY
METER, P.O. Box 24170, New
Orleans, La. 70184
European Office : PLAY METER
Promotions , "Harescombe"
Watford Road, Northwood Middx.
England, Northwood 29244.
PLAY METER, April, 1981
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AOE Show Preview ............................... 20
The show designed specifically for operators scored
some impressive "firsts" in its first time out of the
gate. And this time around, there will be some
curious effects observed in the second annual
Amusement Operators Expo, as Play Meter Editorial
Director David Pierson observes. His is an analysis of
the AOE in New Orleans-which is becoming the
coin industry's closely-watched show.
New Orleans Attractions .......................... 36
There are plenty of "extras" around the old city to
occupy coin-op industry visitors' time outside the
show. Here we offer a guide to a variety of restaur-
ants, sights, and amusements of "The City That Care
Forgot."
Pinball's Growth: Coming or Going? .............. 60
Our critic's optimism over the resurgence of pinball
has been on the wane. Roger Sharpe tells what he
feels it will take to bring back the players:
Some new approaches in the pinball factories and
on 'location.
Polling Pinball Players ............................. 64
Some insight into casual and regular players of pin-
ball may be gained from contributor Stephen Craig's
"First Annual Southwest Florida Unofficial Rec-
reation Pinball Survey." Craig, at least, learned that
many players share his "pinball fever" and for
similar wholesome reasons. Read how it's so.
Vertical Statement Analysis ........................ 68
AOE seminar leader Charles C. Ross gives another
look at the performance of the I nco me Statement. If
the operator recognizes how to utilize them, the
statement's figures can be a vital reading of his
business' health.
From the Editor .................................... 6
Editorial .......................................... 10
Mailbox ....... . .... . ...... . ..... .. ........... 13, 14
News ................. . .......................... 45
Tax Tips .......................................... 71
Music Programming . .............................. 74
Technical Topics ............................... 78-83
Frank's Cranks .................................... 84
Viewpoint on Video ............................... 87
Critic's Corner .................................... 90
New Products ...... . .. . .......................... 93
Classified Advertising ............................. 95
News Briefs ..................................... 10(l
Cover Credit:
Rubicon, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan, marketers of Techno
Fighter.
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