UP FRO NT
GOODNEWS-
Are thing s looking up for the coin-op industry?
There's a feeling among many industry members
th at optimism is starting to peek through the black
cloud s that have been hanging over the industry
lately. The shakeout may be stabilizing . There still may
be some significant companies either closing or
selling out, but thi s should strengthen the industry .
Wh y do we believe this?
Play Meter staff members discussed the industry
with several distributors nationwide . (See their
comments on page 27 .) We asked them for predic-
tions on the future of the indu str y, how they have
survived , and how operators view the industry today .
There were many encouraging comments .
" Operators are more positive today. Revenues
haven ' t increased much , but the number of coin
chutes has decreased , so the operators who have sur-
vived are increasing their profits," said Jim Frye of
Brady Distributing in Charlotte, North Carolina . " The
well-established street operators are optimistic," said
Ray Hibarger of Hanson Distributing in Bloomington ,
Minnesota . " They are feeling things are getting
better. "
FORA CHANGE
John Trucano of J-Mak Distributors in Deadwood,
South Dakota, said : " I am definitely high on the
industry. We ' re in a pretty low valley , but if an opera-
tor is not afraid to get a little perspiration on his brow,
he'll keep his ship afloat."
The distributors also discussed equipment types
and what operators are buying . This issue is dedicated
to the new equipment. We call it the Spring Buyer' s
Guide , and feel that since old debts are being paid ,
equipment sales will increase .
The bottom line, of course , is good equipment.
We may never see the deluge of machines like we saw
in the past. But we sincerel y believe manufacturers
are going to be more selective in what they offer.
According to the distributors we interviewed, phono-
graphs, pool tables, pinballs, foosball , conversions,
and darts are in demand now. Some videos are
proving to be good earners, including Nintendo's VS .
System and Punch Out!! , Bally 's Spy Hunter and
Tapper, Exidy 's Crossbow, Konami/ Centuri's Track &
Field, Stern ' s Great Guns, Data East' s Tag Team
Wrestling, Coin-It' s Birdie King II, and Atari ' s Pole
Position II. Bally' s pin , Kings of Steel, is also getting
good reports.
Are things looking up? For those who are ready
to get down to business and to pick up the pieces, you
bet they are!
~J!/)~
Editorial Director
6
Pl.A Y METER. June 1, 198·