Atari Coin Connection

SWEEPSTAKES
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
AT AMOA
Atari's STARWORLD '78 SWEEP-
STAKES at AMOA was a tremendous
success. There were fifteen thrilled
winners announced the last day of the
show.
The grand prize of a SUPER BREAK-
OUT™ game was won by Mark Fen-
nema, Suburban Vending Co., Ixonia,
Wisconsin. Mark was present at the
drawing and was surprised and ex-
cited about the prize.
Cheri Solowey of Funtime USA won
second place and will receive a · Sony
Betamax video tape recorder. The
third prize of a remote control color TV
went to Lee Cates of Albany Amuse-
ment. The set of leather luggage was
won by Felix Whatley of Birmingham
Vending. And fifth place went to Terry
Lacroix of Magnet Vending; he will
receive Sony's 5" portable Swivel-
vision TV.
There were five winners of Seiko
digital pocket alarms. The following
people received this sixth prize in
Atari's Sweepstakes: Lon Hornstein,
Steerwell Leisure; Susan Capilouto,
Greater Southern Distributing; Cathy
Smith, Lakeland Amusement; David
Ciciarelli, Amusement Enterprises,
Inc.; B.W. Langsford, Langsford
Distributing Co.
Five seventh place winners were also
selected. The following people won
Seiko desk clocks: Roy DeJarnette,
Fun way Freeway; Glenn Jobey,
Odyssey Amusements; Larry Von
Rueden, Suburban Vending; Clyde
Busam, Cedar Point, Inc.; Knapp Brab-
ble, Spedic Vending Service, Inc.
Atari congratulates all the winners
and hopes that they enjoy their prizes.
CALL FOR SERVICE
Til.l A "1111.P.
NEW &SEY
800 631 SJ7q
ATAQI
CAUfORIIA
800 SJ8 1611
Special ';r'elehelp™ telephone labels
are available from Atari. The Atari
Customer Service toll-free telephone
numbers are printed in a tasteful gold
and black design on the labels. The
self-adhesive backing makes it easy to
put them on or near the phone for
quick reference when calling for
technical assistance.
To receive Telehelp labels, you can
write to Atari, c/ o Coin Connection.
Please specify how many labels you
will need.
THE ATARI SENSATION AT IAAPA
This year's IAAPA was the largest
show ever with an approximate atten-
dance of 8500.
Amusement park
representatives from all over the coun-
try and many from abroad were in-
troduced to the line of dynamic games
from Atari.
Show attendees were enthusiastic
about the current products available.
Games at the show included the new
SPACE RIDERS™, and popular MID-
DLE EARTH™ pinball games. A
preview of the colossal HERCULES™
pinball game was also a big attraction.
Operators are anticipating its release,
as it will be an exceptional game as an
amusement park attraction.
Video games on display included the
newest ORBIT™, ATARI FOOTBALL™,
and SUPER BREAKOUT™. Other cur-
rent products shown were FIRE-
TRUCK™, STARSHIP™, SIT-DOWN
NIGHT DRIVER™ and 2 GAME
MODULE™. The preview video game,
SUBS™, fascinated operators with its
unique 2-monitor concept and
strategic game play action.
The IAAP A show was an excellent
opportunity to demonstrate the advan-
tages of games in an amusement park.
With more of this type of exposure,
there has been a definite increase in
the enthusiastic acceptance of game
rooms as a profit center and added at-
traction at amusement parks of all
types and sizes. The growing popular-
ity of games was evidenced by the
many operators who visited the Atari
Starworld '78 exhibit.
Atari personnel were at the booth to
welcome any comments and/or in-
quiries by the amusement industry
people. Service technicians were also
available to provide any service-related
information. ''The IAAPA show is
becoming more valuable not only for
the manufacturer, but also for the
many park operators to view the new
products available. Many other
amusement park people are beginning
to realize the advantages that games
offer, and are currently planning the
addition of game rooms in their
parks," noted Frank Ballouz, National
Sales Manager.
I
~,~
I
The Atari booth at IAAPA attracted park
representatives.
L
I
-
Frank Ballouz demonstrates HER-
CULES™, the g1a.nt pinball ga.me previewed
at the show.
1..
Fred McCord and-Russ MacDonald play for
the championship.
ARCADE ISSUES DISCUSSED AT WORKSHOP
....
Many topics of interest to operators
were discussed in the annual IAAPA
arcade workshop. Joe Robbins of Em-
pire Distributing Co. led the panel
presentation to arcade operators and
amusement park representatives.
Murray Panitz, a successful arcade
operator, shared his experience of
changing to token operation, pointing
out the positives and negatives. Among
the advantages were cash control,
more promotion possibilities, and the
means to increase pricing. On the
negative side, he discussed the ele-
ments of selecting the proper size
tokens, converting coin mechs, and
the possible loss of the impulse player.
Don Osborne of Atari Inc. and Mel
Getlan of Amusement Consultants
discussed the mix of games in arcades.
Emphasizing that the games must ap-
peal to the players, the proper mix
should include variety and updating to
maximize the potential earnings.
The successful national pinball tour-
nament sponsored by Bally was the
subject presented by Jules Millman of
Aladdin's Castle.
The benefits of
positive publicity in this event were
discussed. Mr. Millman invited other
arcade operators to join his organi -
zation to implement another tourna-
ment next year.
Research findings related to the in-
dustry were presented by Carol Kantor
of Atari. The combined analysis of in-
dustry surveys conducted by IAAPA
and Atari were discussed.
Sol Tabb then asked some of the key
questions of concern to operators for
open discussion. Employee security,
how to maximize promotion effec-
tiveness, and service problems were
among the issues he presented. The
discussion and additional questions
from the audience that followed pro-
vided valuable ideas and suggestions.