STAR*TECH JOURNAL/JANUARY 1984
AMOA EXPO '83
NON-VIDEOS IN REVIEW
By Mark "Bear" Attebery, Vending International Corp., San Juan Capistrano, CA
WHEW . .. WHAT A SHOW!
The AMOA Expo in New Orleans was great for Vending International, and from the looks of
it, everybody's getting into non-videos. Now, I know that non-videos don't stand out as $800 a
week games, but apparently the "voices of the operators" are being heard by companies like
Century Games, Taito of America, ElectroSport, Williams, and many others!
Of course, as always there were a lot of take-offs on last year's hits. Take Che= by I.C.E.
for instance. There was a company called Score with a game called Score that was an ice
hockey under plexiglass using levers instead of handles, and another game called Table
Hockey that would be perfect for a small bar or a home entertainment room, but still was
clearly influenced by the success of Chexx. But on the whole, many of the games were new and
innovative.
Taito America Corp. had a non-video called Zeak's Peak which was also shown in a bar
version called Ice Cold Beer that was pretty attractive. It featured tickets and challenging game
play!
Namco of America had a strength challenge game called Mr. Pro Wrestler and a
completely new space age version of their Shooi Away called Cosmo Swat (slated to be
released in the near future). Cosmo Swat really looks like a winner. I'm only hoping that the
cost of the unit is equal to or less than that of the old Shoot Aways. It's definitely state-of-the-
art technology.
Just like last year, there were lots of tool, parts, accessory and after market manufacturers
showing their wares, but one idea that had been adopted by several new companies was that of
video jukeboxes. Everyone from U.S. Billiards to Wurlitzer had their own version of M.T.V.
- put 50¢ in, select the song, and watch the singers perform. ( 50¢ was the standard fee shown,
but for just one song it seemed a bit much for me.)
There were "one-armed bandits" ( some mounted in the body of an Indian or gangster and
your face could be sculpted onto the statue for conversation value). There also were the two big
boys of the kiddie ride business there - Kiddie Rides USA and North American Amusement
Both companies had huge booths showing all of their old standbys, plus a couple of new items.
The most notable aspect of their booths were the amount of arcade games that they were
showing. North American was showing their new Jumbo Rides ( ~ot for the small arcade) ana
their" new" shoot' em up game by Kasco called Stage Coach. ( Kasco has been manufacturing
this one for a while overseas.) Bob's Space Racers, Bimbo the Clown, and many others were
there with their old standbys, but what was interesting was the number of new companies
(some incorporating video monitors like Cosmo Swat) producing arcade-style games that
have in the past been mainly video companies like Tai to America with Zeak's Peak and Ice
Cold Beer. ElectroSport showed several gun games. Exidy showed Cross Bow, a game
where you shoot a cross bow at targets on the monitor. Williams was showing a ticket
dispensing, bowling style game called Triple Stn"ke using shuffieboard discs, and many others!
Of course there were companies like U.S. Billiards showing a new game called Super Bowl
(another bowling style game using shuffieboard discs instead of balls).
5
TECHNICIANS
SET FLORIDA
FOR
1984 CONVENTION
Thursday, May 24 thru Saturday, May 27 are
the dates. The Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach
Surfside is the location for the 1984 Electronics
Technicians Convention.
Sponsored for the sixth consecutive year by
the ETA-I (Electronics Technicians Associa-
tion - International) the 1984 seminars are
aimed at four primary segments of the electronics
industry: Electronics teachers; working tech-
nicians; service business owners; and elec-
tronics technology students. Members ofETA
as well as non-members and electronics
suppliers will find the convention valuable.
The length of the technicians convention
has been increased from two days to four this
year due to the attractiveness of the area to
spouses and children, as well as the resort
headquarters hotel, which has just been selected
as one of the top ten Holiday Inn facilities in
the world.
Grover Harvey, CET, Chairman of ETA
and now with the Naval Avionics Facility in
Indianapolis, indicated the convention will
provide workshops in the following general
areas: "Intructing the Electronics Instructor'',
"Managing the Service Business", "Computer
Servicing Procedures", "Test Equipment of
the '80s" and "Advancing Your Career as a
Technician".
Interested individuals can receive further
information by writing to: ETA, RR #3, Box
564, Greencastle, IN 46135.
Phone: 317-653-8458.
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The anticipation that everyone had for the laserdisc games was really a letdown! There was
a game or two that were pretty sharp, but the games that had a good plot could have been done
using computer-generated graphics and had the same resultant looks! Case in point was the
Star Rider laser game produced by Williams. Most were really a disappointment The graphic
overlays on T aito' s Laser Grand Prix were of very poor quality. Mylstar' s MA. C.H. III was
attractive. There was a game by Stem called Goal to Go which had great graphics and
practically no lag between scenes, but the game play was way too difficult for even the most
determined player.
Cinematronics' new game, Space Ace, was the most attractive game and it wasn't shown at
the show, only in the hospitality suite. Atari's Fire Fox cabinet that will be used in conjunction
with a big screen TV is the most elaborate I've ever seen. The only problem is that the unit
wasn't running during the show. An apparent problem with the manufacturing of the laserdisc
itself was the problem. Atari has decided to take the Fire Fox on the road! They will be
promoting the Fire Fox in several major cities over the next several months. If the gi1me is half
as good as the cabinet, this one's a winner.
Data East's laser game, Bega's Battle, wasn't impressive at all, but their Destiny fortune
teller machine was!
Other new arcade units that looked good right now are Vending Intemational's Mountain
Crane, Monroe Distributing, Inc.'sBow/ and Superball's new 8 Ball Roll game (not shown at
the show).
Next month, I'll give you a rundown of the entire IAAPA show from New Orleans.
Until then, "Bear".
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