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
Frank Seninsky
Zac Oliver
Correspondents:
Roger C. Sharpe
Patrick Matthews
Mike Shaw
Charles C. Ross
Mary Claire Blakeman
Mike Bucki
Di ck Welu
Tony Bado
Bill Brohaugh
Marion Cutler
Roger Pea rson
Classified Advertising:
Valerie Cognevich
Advertising Manager:
David Pierson
Illustrator:
Bob Giuffria
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER, Janu a ry 1, 1982.
Vol um e 8, No.1. Copy rig ht 1981 by
Skybird Publishing Company. Play
Meter (ISSN 0162-1343) is published
twi ce monthl y on the 1st and 15th of
the month. Publish ing o ffi ces: 508
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PLAY METER, january 1, 1982
VOLUME 8, NUMBER 1/JANUARY 1, 1982
I.AY
IIIII
The Twice Month ly Publication for the Coin Operated Entertainment Industry
BPA Circulation Audit applied for
FEATURES
8
The AMOA Gears for Action
Following a stormy year and a well-attended trade
show, the membership met, elected West Virginia's
leoma Ballard to lead 1982's officers, and set a course
of actio n for th e coming year: A report from the
ge nera l meeting at the AMOA Show.
16
Game Tournament Fiasco in Chicago
Reporting from the scene of Tournament
Games / Atari's national multi-tournament, Pla y
Meter's Mike Bucki analyzes what happened, how
the players felt cheated, and what are some of the
implications for the spon sors and the indu stry as a
whole.
20
The AMOA Experience
From the point of view of a first-timer to the AMOA
trade show, Michael Mendelsohn shares some of his
thinking on the plu s and minus sides of the big event.
22
Top Videos at the AMOA
Taking a look at the new game product offered in
Chi cago, our independent vi deo reviewer offers his
ana lysis and choices of the potential winners and
possib le also-rans for 1982.
62
Is Pinball Dead?
Charles Ross answers this question in the affirmative,
even after viewing the gamu t of pinball choices now
offered. Rebutting Ross' view is pin critic Roger
Sharpe, who sees the report of pinball's demise as
greatly exaggerated. Decide for yourself after reading
this lively exchan ge.
DEPARTMENTS
4
Up Front
7
Mailbox
12
Equipment Poll
52
Music Programming
55
Technical Topics
59
Frank's Cranks
67
Critic' s Corner
70
New Products
73
Classified Advertising
82
News Briefs
3