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UP FRONT ... UP FRONT S S Happy Adiliction iction py Add AAHap inceIIam am the themother motherofoftwo twosons sonsititwas wasinevitable inevitable ince that I would find myself frequenting arcades. that I would find myself frequenting arcades. (how fast fast does does itit have have toto be, be, guys?), guys?), an an increase increase (how CD jukeboxes, jukeboxes, crane crane manufacturers manufacturers and and plush plush inin CD I not only frequent them now, I seek them out. suppliers in force, dart games with endless possibilities, I not only frequent them now, I seek them out. suppliers in force, dart games with endless possibilities, When on vacation, vacation, II lead lead the the way, way, before before the the kids, kids, and and aa flood flood ofof condom condom vending vending machines. machines. When on the nearest nearest games. games. IIcheck check out out all all the the equipment, equipment, toto the There will, will, ofof course, course, be be much much more more on on hand, hand, see what's the latest, look for the operator's name, There see what's the latest, look for the operator's name, including novelty novelty games, games, countertops, countertops, table table games, games, count the the pieces, pieces, and and watch watch players. players. including count kiddie rides, rides, and and specialty specialty items, items, among among others. others. kiddie Whether at a theme park or walking through an Head-scratcWngseminars seminarsare areon ontap tapand andsocial socialevents events Whether at a theme park or walking through an Head-scratching airport, hotel, or shopping mall, I'm tuned into games. galore are added in for good measure. airport, hotel, or shopping mall, I'm tuned into games. galore are added in for good measure. While my my oldest oldest son son searches searches for for Spy Spy Hunter Hunter (the (the While One thing tWng for for sure, sure, the theAMOA AMOAExpo Expoisisanan excellent excellent original), and and the the younger younger one one looks looks for for cranes, cranes, II One original), opportunity to view view innovative innovative product product and and catch catch up up inspect the equipment and notice the balance or opportunity inspect the equipment and notice the balance or on the latesttotechnologies. Whenthe thepower powerisisswitched switched imbalance ofof games; games; also also the the condition. condition. II can can tell tell on the latest technologies. When imbalance on and all the equipment comes to life, the adrenalin thesound soundofofaaSkee-Ball Skee-Ball5050yards yardsaway awayand andthe thehypnotic hypnotic on and all the equipment comes to life, the adrenalin the will be flowing flowing and and aa new new year year will will begin begin for for the the ring of of Space Space Harrier Harrier still still echoes echoes inin my my ear ear from from will be ring industry.It's It's still still November, November,but butthe theAMOA AMOAExpo Expoisis the first first ACME ACME Show Show inin Chicago CWcago inin 1986. 1986. industry. the always like like the the kick-off kick-off for for aa new new season. season. Following Following always My husband husband says says that that ifif hehe gave gave me me the the money money closely beWnd are a string of open houses to further My closely behind are a string of open houses to further I would fill the house with games. I'd be happy to showcase new newequipment. equipment. The The "up" "up" mood moodwill will carry I would fill the house with games. I'd be happy to showcase carry startwith with the the double double garage garage and andwork workup up from from there. there. through from the show well into the Christmas season. start through from the show well into the Christmas season. Under the guise of a game room for my boys, I would Under the guise of a game room for my boys, I would That reminds reminds me me ofof Santa's Santa's list list for for this tWs year. year. II fulfill my my fantasy fantasy of of having having aa mini mini arcade. arcade. It's It's an an That fulfill may not not be be able able toto transfer transfer my my enthusiasm enthusiasm for for the the addiction, albeit albeitaahappy happyone, one,totobebehooked hookedon ongames games may addiction, industryinto intoaahouse housefull fullofofgames; games;but, but,I Ismile smileslyly slyly and this tWs business business ofofcoin-operated coin-operated entertainment. entertainment. It's It's industry and as my sons walk around on their knees (literally) easy toto understand understand why why soso many many operators, operators, easy distributors, and manufacturers list family members distributors, and manufacturers list family members business together. together. The The interest interest inin games games and and inin business excitement generated generated by by them them isis contagious contagious and and can can excitement spread from generation to generation. as my sons walk around on their knees (literally) begging for a home video system to practice their begging for a home video system to practice their favorite indoor indoor sport. sport. They They don't don't know know it,it, but but Mom Mom favorite wants it just as much as they do. Maybe more. The single single biggest biggest "fix" "fix" ofof the the year year for for those those inin The love with with this tWs business business isis the the AMOA AMOA Expo. Expo. It's It's also also love a temperature gauge for the industry and tWs year a temperature gauge for the industry and this year the prognosis is very good for the once ailing, now the prognosis is very good for the once ailing, now recovering, coin-op coin-op world. world. One One indication indication ofofpositive positive recovering, health is the demand for exWbit space. More exWbit health is the demand for exhibit space. More exhibit booths have have been been made made available available this tWs year year than than ever ever booths before. Every Everyfacet facetofofthe thebusiness businesswill willbe berepresented. represented. before. Expected are more dedicated videos, faster pinball ~~~ d Thear Bonnie Bonnie Theard wants it just as much as they do. Maybe more. spread from generation to generation. Expected are more dedicated videos, faster pinball PIAY METER/November METER/ November 1987 1987 1414 PLAY Bonnie Theard Managing Editor Editor Managing