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Visit our e: Web sit r.com laymete www.p VOLUME 24 VOLUME 24 N0.13 NO. 13 DECEMBER 1998 DECEMBER 1998 CONTENTS ear in in Review Review Year 70 TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME 70 TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME Relive major news stories, game introductions, memorable quotes, and Relive major news stories, game introductions, memorable quotes, and happenings that reflected the changing industry in our annual Year in Rehappenings that view section . reflected the changing industry in our annual Year in Review section. 90 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: FERRIS PRODUCTIONS 90 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: FERRIS PRODUCTIONS What will the ArcadePC initiative accomplish? Different voices have reWhat will the ArcadePC initiative accomplish? Different voices have responded to the query. Ferris Productions says it has a solution for new, sponded to the query. Ferris Productions says it has a solution for new, economical games. economical games. 99 COINMAN: WILLIAM THEVAOS 99 COINMAN: WILLIAM THEVAOS The second-generation operator of Owl Music in North Carolina doesn't The of Owlcontracts Music in, North Carolina doesn't pullsecond-generation any punches whenoperator talking about service, game selection, pull any punches when talking about contracts, service, game selection, and professionalism . R E AB and professionalism. 121 SEMINAR ROUNDUP 121 SEMINAR ROUNDUP Of the 40 seminars at the recent Fun Expo, we selected several of special Ofinterest: the 40 seminars at the recent Fun Expo, we selected several of special OAA, Kids' Vision , PAS, Laser Tag , Building with Coin-op, and interest: OAA, Kids' Vision, PAS, Laser Tag, Building with Coin-op, and New Concepts. New Concepts. Thomson's Venturer Vxl is one Thomson's Venturer Vxl is one of three new simulators that of three new simulators that debuted at IAAPA. Page 22. debuted at IAAPA. Page 22. 131 MUSIC NOTES: COMPILATION CDS 131 MUSIC NOTES: COMPILATION CDS How can you keep your jukebox current without buying 14 new CDs? Offer How can you keep your jukebox current buying CDs? Offer hits the public recognizes , and get morewithout frequent play 14 withnew compilations . hits the money public recognizes, and get more frequent play with compilations. Save in the bargain. Save money in the bargain. 141 REDEMPTION AND THE LAW: SHOWDOWN IN TEXAS 141 REDEMPTION AND THE LAW: SHOWDOWN IN TEXAS Tom Fricke traces the history of the amusement purpose, limited-prize exTom Fricke traces the history of the amusement purpose, limited-prize exception to the gambling crimes laws of Texas. Being on the right side of the ception to the law is not an gambling easy call. crimes laws of Texas. Being on the right side of the law is not an easy call. TEcHn1c1nnwe CORNER CoRnER TECHNICIAN'S 137 TECHNICAL TOPICS: SON OF ARCADEPC 137 TECHNICAL TOPICS: SON OF ARCADEPC Randy Fromm , exclusive in Play Meter, takes a close look at Quantum Randy Fromm, exclusive in Play Meter, takes a close look at Quantum 3Ds Quicksilver ArcadePC system designed specifically for coin-op. 3Ds Quicksilver ArcadePC system designed specifically for coin-op. Quicksilver uses a customized , low-profile steel chassis and specialized Quicksilver uses a customized, low-profile steel chassis and specialized components for the rigors of the arcade environment. components for the rigors of the arcade environment. DEPARTMENTS DEPARTMENTS COVER -2 E EM TR EX TI MUL Upgrades and enhancements are Upgrades and enhancements are found In Merit's player-friendly found in Merit's player-friendly Megatouch XL 6000. Page 58. Megatouch XL 6000. Page 58. NEXT NEXT MONTH: MONTH: PLAY METER PLAY METER Surrounding the Touch Tunes digital jukebox (center), clockwise from top right: Alan, and MikeIn Witsen Of Bill, -Neek Enterprises front sen of U-Neek Enterprises in front of one of their delivery trucks that of one of their delivery trucks that proudly displays the Touch Tunes proudly displays the Touch Tunes logo; Peter Porazzo of Atlas Music logo; Peter Porazzo of Atlas Music in Rhode Island with location owner inGinger; Rhode Joe Island with location owner Ferris of Ferris Music Ginger; Joe Ferris of Ferrisretriever, Music in Maine with his golden in Maine with his golden retriever, Toby TouchTunes; and the rollout at Toby TouchPub Tunes; and theNeb., rollout at Aussie's in Omaha, Aussie's Pub in Omaha, Neb., where Larry Witt, Rod Kruse, and where Larry Witt, Rod Kruse, and Rick Murray of Nebraska Technical Rick Murray of Nebraska Services pose with someTechnical of the Services pose with some of the Touch Tunes gang and Aussie's Touch Tunes gang and Aussie's Pub owner Eric Perquin. Pub owner Eric Perquin. .3 News Bulletin From the Editor :r, :,,..~ .: '·;\ ';{., ~' • ' .10 .,~. • ". Equipment OpFront 'Front Poll ...•...12 :ta 18 Up Coln-Op News . . . •••.• ... 20 20 Coin-Op News ... • .. . .. . ...50 Who's News .50 Who's News Beyond the Playfield ..54 i· 'J • ' ,,;.,":;. .54 Beyond Playfield What'sthe New .. . . . . ... . . ... . . ... . . .58 What's New .58 Web Watch . ... . ... . .63 Web Watch 63 Cover Story . . . . . . . . ... . ... . ..64 Cover Story .64 Game History .. . . . . . .. ... ... ... .. 98 Game History 98 Guest Commentary . . . .. . ... .106 106 Guest Commentary Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .110 Company Profile... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 Open Houses .113 113 Open FECHouses Focus . .. . ... . . . . . . . . . . ... .118 118 FEC Focus International Scene .. ..• . ... .. .. .129 129 International Scene Game Room .. . .. . . . ... . 133 Game Room 133 Tax Tips . .. . .. . . . .. .. . .. 135 .135 Trade Accessories . • ... . .144 Trade Accessories .144 Travel Tracks ... .. . . . . . .. . .. 146 Travel Tracks .146 Classified . . . .. . . ... 148 Tax Tips Classified 148 •Annual Report: State of the Industry Survey . Annual Report: State of the Industry Survey • IAAPA Wrap-Up · IAAPA Wrap-Up • Michael Getlan's Fall/Winter Game Review . Michael Getlan's Fall/Winter Game Review 8 8 DECEMBER 1998 DECEMBER 1998