were first published in the 1983 edition
of the Guinness Book, which alotted a
small space to track the skills of a
dozen top players.
"We'd been getting calls concern-
ing video games for almost two years,"
said David Boehm, editor of the book's
American version. "After we ran the
section on video games, we got tre-
mendous feedback. More inquiries
were made regarding this section
than any other in the book's history."
High scores on coin-operated
video games now take up almost two
full pages in every edition of the
•
book.
Texas operators meet
Table hockey champion Robert Hernandez, left and Dynamo's Mark Robbins
demonstrate Dynamos new table.
Texas operators getting a first-hand l ook at Seeburg's compact-disc phonograph
keep company representatives busy
Singer Roy Head receives the Texas Rising Star Award from Vancie Todaro, new
president of the Amusement and Music Operators of Texas (AMOT), at the asso-
ciation 's rec ent c onvention banquet Also participating in the ceremony ar e,
from left Ronnie Daniel. AMOT past presiden t, Jerry Kaler, the association 's
executive direc tor, and Ross Todaro.
8
Nearly a hundred Texas operators
met in Austin for the Amusement and
Music Operators of Texas (AMOT)
annual convention in mid-July.
Seeburg exhibited its new Laser-
Music phonograph designed to play
compact discs. It was the first time since
its formal introduction to distributors a ·
month ago that the company had
shown the phonograph publicly. Oper-
ators seen to be excited about its possi-
bilities: the Seeburg booth remained
busy. Mobile Record Company, a fre-
quent exhibitor at trade shows (the
only one-stop to do so), passed out its
compact-disc availability catalog of
more than 8,000 titles.
In a surprise announcement. Ed
Blankenbeckler, Seeburg president.
said the company recently h ired
William Guler, previous with Handle-
man in Chicago, to organize Seeburg's
entrance into the one-stop business.
"We want to protect our hardware,"
said Blankenbeckler. "Selling com-
pact discs fits into our plans nicely."
Baily's new Rampage was shown in
Southwest Vending's booth to enthu-
siastic crowds. "This game looks like
one of the best Bally has come out with
lately," said an operator waiting his
tum to play.
Mark Robbins, director of promo-
tional sales for Dynamo hockey, and
Robert Hernande, the national air-
cushioned tabl e-hockey champion,
demonstrated Dynamo's new air-cus-
hioned hockey game. It is an elegant
piece of equipment. similar to Dyna-
mo 's pool tables . "Air-cushi oned
hockey is a lot of fun, and can make
operators a good return on investment
with a little promotion," Robbins said.
Manufacturer representatives at-
tending the show included Atari's Dick
Needleman, Nintendo's Art Gallager,
Merit's David Rubinstein and Don
PLAY METER, August 1 5, 1986