From the Editor
It seems like every time you turn the TV set on, read
the newspaper, or turn the radio on, all news you see,
read, plus hear is bad news. Admittedly, bad news sells.
But why so much emphasis on the bad news by the
national media? Surely good news sells, also. Perhaps it
is to attract more attention and thereby· gain more
readers, viewers, and listeners. Or maybe it's just
because there are more bad things happening than good
things. Whatever the reason, it's comforting to know
that this industry's trade media situation is quite the
opposite of the national media. There are a lot more good
things happening in this industry than there are bad
things.
In keeping with our continuing policy of reporting the
good news along with the bad, here's a capsule look at
what this industry faces as it heads into 1981.
Only because most people prefer to hear the bad news
first, here's the bad news:
1. The AMOA has suffered a severe setback on the
result of the recent copyright issue. Despite the efforts of
the industry's national association, phonograph license
fees will go up dramatically in the very near future. This is
certain to be a severe blow to the already depressed
phonograph market.
2. The problem of "gray area" equipment is affecting
all levels of the industry. It is because of these pseudo
amusement devices, that major conflict has arisen within
the AMOA and between major games manufacturers.
These one-armed bandits in disguise are also presenting
problems at the local level. Many industry observers
rightfully feel that legislative action against gray area
equipment may end up including pure amusement
games as well.
3. Ultra high interest rates and runaway inflation are
putting a pinch on everyone's finances. From the largest
manufacturers to the smallest operator, everyone is
going to feel the pinch. Long term financing is almost
obsolete. Yet in order to survive, operators have to keep
buying new equipment. A great many operators are
going to find themselves in a financial dilemma that they
are not equipped to handle.
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On the other side of the coin, there's a lot more good
news out there.
1. Operator revenues and profits are up .
Amusement operators are making more money than
ever before. Better equipment has made for better
earnings.
2. Pinball is making a very strong comeback after
suffering a mild setback last year. Fifty-cent play will
become a reality in 1981.
3. Video is as strong as ever. American-made games
such as Battlezone, Defender, Berzerk, Star Castle, and
Spector are all doing exceptionally well. It's going to bf'
another great year for video.
4. More and more people are playing amusement
games. National industry studies have shown that the
player population is steadily increasing and is showing no
signs of slowing down. A major contributing factor to this
trend is the increasing popularity of consumer electronic
games.
6. The Amusement Operators Expo has become a
reality. The AOE is coming back to New Orleans (March
12-14) for the second staight year. This operator-
oriented trade show will again feature a hard hitting
seminar program focusing in on all the various legal,
economic, and technical problems facing the nation's
operators. To stay ahead in the '80s we suggest you
come to New Orleans in March.
7. This is PLAY METER's annual Directory Issue.
The Directory section in this issue is removeable and can
be used as a handy reference source throughout the
year. Use it with our best wishes for the best year you
ever had. May all your news be good news!
Ralph C. Lally II
Editor and Publisher
PLAY METER,
February, 1981