understood the game and was able to
comment on it in a clear, objective
manner, but he also pointed out
some very real concerns and pro-
blems facing our industry (p arti -
cularly lousy earnings , unim agi-
native laser games, and general
operator confusion over what sort of
games to purchase).
However, as much as this article
was positi~e and hopefully helpful
to operators who may be co nsider-
ing buying a Major Havoc game
(either dedicated or in kit form to
convert Tem pest ), I feel compelled
to bring to light a sore spot I have
carried regarding your magazine's
initial review of Maj or Havoc in the
January 15, 1984, AMOA analysis
titled "Gene's Gudgements" (p .
60).
This sort of article, and others like
it, I feel generate more operator con-
fusion than anything a manufac-
turer has done. This January article
came out a nd lambasted Major
Havoc, rating it a 2, and saying
"don 't waste your money. Move over
Gravitar." At the same time the
article went on to rate Williams '
Blaster (a game that was quite
poorly received by players ) with an
8, stating "A good bet. Should pay
off for you. "
But hold on ... April rolls around
and Play Meter says Major Havoc is
a great game, announcing in bold
headline, "There's much to like
about Major Havoc" and claiming,
" ... there 's almost something for
everyone .. . takes full advantage of
programming power as well as its
use of multiple screen displays. "
(You guys must have taken a look at
some collection reports.)
That's all well and good, but wh at
about the earlier negative article in
your magazine, what should the
operator believe Oanuary or April
PlAY METER. June 15, 1984
Play Met er), why is there such dis -
crepancy in reviews, do any of them
(reviewers ) kn ow what the hell
they're talking about, and wh at hap-
pened to Blaster (remember the
hig h rank ) ?
The po int is tha t with the tre -
mendous problems we all are facing,
there doesn't appear to be room for
quicky, subjective, B.S. reviews such
as those found in "Gene's Gudge-
ments " of J anu ary 15, 1984. It was
obvious that the gentleman had
never played the ga me and was
basing his critique on subjective
speculati on and God knows wh at
else. I mean, really, g ive us a break!
I'm not saying that our reviews
should all be positive, but the
approach Sharpe uses in "Critic's
Corner" seems much more p ro-
fessi onal and useable to the opera-
tor. At least he is spending so me
time with the game and knows
enough to talk about it intelligently.
Let the chips fall where they may,
but at least be objective about it.
I'd like to close with one more
comment taken from Mr. Sharpe
de a ling with so -ca lled " bl ind "
buying and how ope rators are reluc-
tant to blindly purchase everything
in sight. In this section he states ...
" co nvincing cusromers th a t a
machine is a wise investment tod ay
is ... difficult."
We all would agree, but don't you
see how the occurrence of opposing
reviews in your maga zine only four
months ap art leads to this con-
fu sion ? You're doing disservice to
the entire industry by such a co n-
flicting sort of treatment, not to
mention it does seem r a ther
unprofessional.
Just as we see an end to operator
"blind" buying, I hope we see n end
to maga zine " blind " reviewing .
Operators don't need it, manufac-
turers don't need it, and neither do
you, I would think.
Donald A. Traeger
Sr. Market Research Analyst
Atari, Inc.
Sunnyvale, California
Edit or's N ote: We understand y our
conf usion, but th e reason y ou read
two different critiques of Major
H avoc in Play Meter is because two
diff erent reviewers with different
p erso nalities and with different
likes and dislikes in videos reviewed
the game.
It 's rare f or two people to agree
on all the characteristics of any one
product. One m ovie can get 30
different reviews. Movie reviewers
do n 't t ry to generate confusion;
rather, they have different opinions
and believe th eir opinion is worth
votcmg.
Though th ey may sometimes con-
flict, Play Meter believes in the
judgem ents of Gene Lewin and
Roger Sharpe. Both m en have been
in the industry for years. Lewin 's
columns are written in a short easy-
to- read sty le, but that doesn't mean
they are "quicky " reviews. And he
play s all th e gam es he reviews.
H opef ully, m anufacturer infor-
mation, reviews, and common sense
will help operators avoid blind
btty ing.
Someth ing on your m ind you want to vent?
Got a gripe? Full of praise? Have a
question? If yo u have comments on the
co i11 ope rat ed entertainment industry,
w rit e to Pl ay Meter. Our "Lett ers to th e
Edit or" columns are dedicat ed to y ou, the
operator/ reader.
All lett ers must be sign ed; if request ed,
only initials will be used or the nam e
w it hheld f rom print. Please include return
address (although, f or the sake of your
p rivacy, addresses will not be printed.) A II
lett ers subject t o standard editin g. Be
concise.
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