Play Meter

NEWS BULLETIN ..,.. Time-Out chain sold ... Contrary to a report in this issue's " News" section, it was learned at press time that Sega has in fact reached an agreement to sell its 88 game rooms and family entertainment centers in shopping malls. The buyer is Edison Brothers Stores Inc. Time-Out is a U.S. division of Sega Enterprises Ltd. of Japan. Its sales for 1989 were about $33 million. Edison Brothers has also signed a consulting agreement with Sega of America. "Sega is a pioneer in this field, and the operations we are acquiring include some mall entertainment centers, which are among the largest in the nation," said Andrew E. Newman, Edison chairman. Added Martin Sneider, Edison president, " With the addition of the Time-Out units to the Space Port units we agreed to purchase last month, we will have achieved a combined base of about 140 entertainment operations in 30 states. It is a good foundation for future expansion in this growing branch of specialty retailing." ..,.. Nintendo donates $3 million ... Nintendo Co. Ltd., the parent company of Nintendo of America Inc., will establish a fund at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Media Laboratory to support research into how children learn while they play. The Nintendo Fund , endowed with $3 million from Nintendo, will support the work of Dr. Seymour A. Papert. A scholar known across the world for his invention of the " LOGO" computer language, Papert serves as director of learning research at the Media Laboratory. He develops high-tech learning tools for his research that "look and feel more like Nintendo games than school books." Nintendo executives in Japan say the company's decision was based upon its recognition of the rapidly growing area of research on video games and learning. This research includes learning concepts such as "flow'!--a state of deep and total absorption in a challenging activity-technological innovations such as " virtual reality," and other interactive multi-media products. "As the world's largest video game maker, we have provided pleasure to countless young people while opening their vision to computer's unlimited potential for their future lives and careers," said Hiroshi Yamauchi, president of Nintendo Co. ltd. "At the same time, we have long felt that we also owed a responsibility to develop our hardware and software to enhance educational opportunities. I am confident that with the Media Laboratory's proven ability, this program will contribute to a smarter generation than has ever existed before." Chang Hi, president of Pole Electronics, manufactured and sold 270 counterfeit TMNT boards. Seven other suspects were investigated but not arrested. Said Fumihiro Hishikawa, president of Konam i Industry, " I think (the counterfeit exposure) could deal a serious blow to the copiers." TMNT has not yet been shipped in the Japanese market. Thought the date hasn't been decided upon, when the game is released in Japan, it will be in PC-board form. ..,.. Booth space selling quickly... More than 90 percent of the booth space for AMOA Expo '90 has already been sold, five months before the Oct. 25-27 show dates. It will take place in New Orleans at the Convention Center. As of late May, 155 companies had purchased 611 of the exhibition's 637 booths. Registration, housing, and program information for Expo '90 was recently mailed to thousands worldwide. Educational seminars at Expo '90 will address such technical and management issues as the future of music (45s and CDs); pool table and pinball maintenance; the new jukebox licensing agreement; video gaming amusement equipment; employee/labor relations; business management; customer service; and pool and dart leagues. Exhibiting, as well as registration and housing information, can be obtained by contacting AMOA, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60601 ; (312) 565-4602; FAX (312) 565-4658. ..,.. Roth dies... lndustry veteran Marvin Roth , owner of Roth Novelty Co. in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. , passed away on May 12 at the age of 64. He suffered a heart attack while driving home after a round of golf. Besides his achievements in coin-op, Roth was instrumental in developing The Station Complex (now known as Market Street Square) in Wilkes-Barre. Additionally, Roth was currently serving as chairman of the board of trustees for the United Hebrew Institute in Kingston, Pa. He was also an active member of numerous other social and civic organizations. Roth is survived by, among others, his mother, wife, three children , and three grandchildren . Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the United Hebrew Institute. ..,.. Coast to Coast adds Vananda ... Bill Vananda, formerly of lntermark Amusements, has joined Coast to Coast Amusement Game Distributors Inc. in a sales capacity. He has experience in all facets of the coin-op industry, including manufacturing and operating . ..,.. Korean counterfeiters nabbed ... Korean copiers who manufactured and sold counterfeit PC boards of Konami Industry Co. Ltd .'s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were arrested by Korean police in late March for copyright infringement. According to a Korean newspaper and Konami Industry, Ri Sang Pil, president of Kangsok Electronics, and Han ..,.. Compasio passes away... Play Meter extends its deepest sympathies to good friend Camille Compasio, Cashbox coin-op editor, on the death of her beloved brother Anthony Compasio, who died on April 29 in Chicago. He was 56 years old. Anthony also left behind his wife and three children. PLAY METER, May 1990, Volume 16, No. 6. Copyright 1990 by Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY METER (ISSN 1048-8243) (UPS 358-350) is published monthly on the 1st of the month, except for the two issues in January. Publishing office: 6600 Fleur de Lis, New Orleans, LA 70124. MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184, USA. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX 504/488-7083. For subscriptions: 504/488-7003. Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada-$50. Advertising rates are available on request. NO PART OF THE MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. The editors are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. PLAY METER buys ALL RIGHTS, unless otherwise specified, to accepted manuscripts, cartoons, art work, and photographs. Second-class postage paid at New Orleans, LA 70113 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send Form 3579 to Play Meter, P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184. June 1990/PLAY METER 3