Leisure Play

soon had its own
children's section, this
time called Silver City, but
open only during the
summer season.
1 asked Mr. Hommerson
if he has any difficulty in
finding games suitable for
children. "Not at all.
Many of th e simpler
games for adults are quite
suitable for children," he
replied. He soon found,
for example, that children
love to play on flippers,
but that they are too high.
So in the children's
sections the flippers are
set out on a low bench.
Certain other games are
mounted on shorter legs.
When this is not possible,
stands for the children
are provided.
So well did his
experiment to attract
family business go that
Rudy developed it even
further. He installed a
little theatre where
puppet shows, or a
magician, or cartoon films
were provided to amuse
thechildren.
The result of the whole
idea was that business in
Sportland was almost as
good during winter
weekends as on average
days during the season. It
was a place to bring
children to, yet where the
parents could find
amusement as well.
Mothers might like to stay
with the kids, but fathers
enjoyed playing on the
games in the adult section
f h
d
o t e area e.
In
19 7 7
Rudy
celebrated the 25th
anniversary of his big
arcade in Scheveningen;
he had several others by
this time. Most people in
the automatics business
would give a cocktail
party for friends and
others in the business to
celebrate such an event.
Not so Rudy Hommerson.
Instead, he gave a supper
dance for all his best
customers, the most
regular visitors to the
arcade.
Everyone
received gifts. "We had a
wonderful time, it was so
good to meet so many
friends", Rudy told me.
At present Rudy
Hommerson is dealing
with a very unusual
problem, one that I have
never heard of before.
The big building where
the Sportland arcade was
situated has been pulled
down. When it is re-built
he will move back, and he
has already told me about
some of the brilliant ideas
he is going to bring to
reality there. But in the
meantime Sportland
continues. How, you may
ask. Well, Rudy took
temporary premises
nearby, and has installed
his arcade there.
Everything is done well,
though these premises
will be for three years
only. There isn't as much
space, but with ingenuity
a wonderful selection of
machines has been
installed. As for the
children's attractions
during winter week-ends,
these continue, but on a
smaller scale. Once the
new premises are opened
the whole idea will be re-
developed, and be better
than ever.
So well is the name of
Hommerson known in
Scheveningen that even
the temporary Sportland
is attracting the crowds
just like the old one.
"We're very little down,
very little," Rudy told me,
both last year, and again
this year when I visted
him. The temporary
Sportland will continue
all next year, then in the
Spring of 1982 will come
the move to the new
premises, just across the
road.
Rudy now has five
arcades,
four
in
Scheveningen and one in
another resort not far
away. His Sportland 2000,
right on the promenade at
Scheveningen, opened
this year, and is already a
great success. I. will
describe it another time.
This month's focus has
been, perhaps, more a
focus on what a man has
done rather than on the
man himself. But I think
that Rudy's way of
running his arcades is
very much a reflection on
the man himself. Anyway,
I h"nk
h
t
1
t 1
t at mos peop e
w i 11
agree
that
PersonaltiyFocusonRudy
Hommerson has been well
worthwhile.
----------------------
GREMLIN HA VE THE
SITUATION TAPED
Gremlin Industries have followed up their
VideoFax service tapes (reported in the August issue of
Leisure Playl with a similar programme which offers an
alternative to introducing and demonstrating game
play. Operators can tune in to ASTRO FIGHTER,
CARNIVAL and DIGGER at distributor show rooms
world-wide.
/'J./'J./'J.
Both the service and demonstration tapes have been
enthusiastically received in the United States.
Each tape, approximately seven minutes long, presents
a dramatic vignette based on game theme.
The inaugural VideoFax tapes, the brainchild of
President -
Frank Fogleman, introducing the ASTRO
FIGHTER, CARNIVAL and DIGGER games, debuted at
Gremlin's June distributor meeting with tremendous
response. "Our distributors were flattered we took the time
and ·energy to create an effective sales tool for them. The
tapes go a step beyond actually playing the games by
effectively demonstrating complex games features in an
entertaining way. Our VideoFax programme is illustrative of
Gremlin's commitment to innovative ideas," Fogleman
explained.
Gremlin distributors who have earned JVC
playback/recorder units and portable colour monitors as part
of a sales incentive bonus, received copies of the initial
VideoFax tapes for viewing in their showrooms.
The tapes were produced and directed by Gremlin
Director of Video Production, Ron Stein. Stein, a former
photographer for the U.S. Navy and holder of a B.S. degree
in Telecommunications and Film, joined Gremlin from KPBS-
TV where he served as producer/director.
The Gremlin VideoFax service tapes (often referred to as
the "Margolin Tapes"), starring Customer Service Manager,
Steve Margolin. Margolin gives an explanation of game
components and troubleshooting techniques supplementing
the game manuals packed with each game.
Ron Stein, Gremlin / Sega's Director of Video Pruductions.
"We're very pleased our video tape programme has
been so well received. Our aim is to accompany every new
Gremlin game entry with a VideoFax promotional and
service tape," Fogleman said.
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