VOLUME 7, NUMBER 17/SEPTEMBER 15, 1981
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 Writers:
Randy Fromm
Zac Oliver
Frank Seninsky
Correspondents:
Patrick Matthews
Roger C. Sharpe
Charles C. Ross
Irving Blackman
Mary Claire Blakeman
Lee Shearer
Jane Peterson
Marion Cutler
Classified Advertising:
Valerie Cognevich
Typographer:
Sharon McCall
Advertising Manager:
David Pierson
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
Illustrator:
Bob Giuffria
PLAY METER, September 15, 1981.
Volume 7, No.17. Copyright1981 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, U.S.A. Tel.
504/838-8025. Su bscri ptio n rates:
U.S. and Canada-$25; foreign-
$100, air mail only. 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 Metairie, La. 70002 and
additional 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, September 15,1981
~I.AY
Iiiii
The Twice Monthly Publication for the Coin Operated Entertainment Industry
BPA Circulation Audit applied for
FEATURES
10
Convertible Games
Gremlin/Sega executive David Rosen outlines the
new game system that's going to be the talk of the
industry for the foreseeable future. Convertible
games are sure to be controversial, and here in the
manufacturer's words is the rationale for their
introduction at this time.
27
Games Become 'Art' in Los Angeles
Randy Fromm reports on an unusual exhibit at the
Institute for Contemporary Art: coin-op games. The
industry's image got a boost from the Institute, and
the young people in attendance received a bit of
cultural exposure.
31
39
Talking Pictures Lend Pingames New Themes
Roger Sharpe explores how some much-needed
change away from 'space' is being lent by some of the
later crop of Hollywood efforts. And he doesn't mean
Star Wars.
Coin-Op Business Myths
Our freind Charles Ross begins a new Play Meter
feature, 'The Business Myth of the Month' with this
look at what may be an apparent 'truth' but doesn't
stand the light of reason in operating in the real world
of coin machines.
DEPARTMENTS
4
Edi~orial
7
Mailbox
14
News
32
Equipment Survey
43 Music Programming
46 The Arcade School
49 Technical Topics
53 Frank's Cranks
56 Critic's Corner
58 New Products
61
Classified Advertising
68
News Briefs
3