Play Meter

UP FRONT
We're getting used to
a 'coach' industry
"Have you ever flown first class?" Joe Peters of
Wildcat Chemical Company asked me. "Uh, yes," I
replied, desperately trying to figure out how the
question pertained to the discussion we were
having about the industry.
"Why did you think of flying first class as
opposed to coach?" he continued. "Let's see," I
thought. "It was a lot more comfortable, the meals
were better, I was given real salt and pepper
shakers instead of never-meant-to-be-opened
packets, the flight attendants were much more
accommodating ... "
"That's enough," Joe said. "But you get the
point of the question anyway. How did you feel
about flying coach before you flew first class?"
Again, I thought he strayed way off track, but
to humor him I said, "I didn't have anything to
compare it with so I had no complaints about it. It
was only after flying first class that I realized the
difference."
"You have just hit the nail on the head!" Joe
exclaimed. "The industry was the same way.
Everyone got a taste of first class and wasn't
content to go back to coach."
The comparison was suddenly clear. The
industry had been successful for many, many years,
and it peaked due to a phenomenal growth rate and
became a first class industry. "No more coach for
us," echoed industry members. As suddenly as the
'(/~
industry expanded and grew, many in it built new
buildings, bought new cars and new houses, and
hired new people.
When we had to start flying coach again, there
was something to compare it with and everyone
was disgruntled. But now, we are finally getting
used to it and we are adjusting.
At the NCMI Second Annual Survivors
Seminar, there were some serious operators from
throughout the country. They weren't moaning and
groaning about how things are so-o-o-o-o-o bad.
"We have made it and we are winners," they said. It
was a refreshing attitude.
Businesses were successful during the boom
period, but the old adage: "You can get too much of
a good thing" could have applied. Video games
were everywhere. I used to love tomato juice, and
during one of my pregnancies, I overindulged in it,
feeling I could not get enough juice. To this day, I
can't stand the sight of tomato juice. I got too much
of a good thing.
Human nature seems to be that you want what
you can't have. If it is around you in abundance, it
must not be worth having. Video games were too
much of a good thing. As the operator population
decreases, with a natural decrease in poor locations
and then a decrease of games, maybe players will
find video games unique once more.
f!tJ
ct::::.
dJ
Valerie
Editorial Director
6
PLAY METEP.. September 15. 1984