Play Meter

lETTERS Do the right thing other entertainment vehicles where parents, the industry, or society have some control over the medium. When a seven-year-old enters an arcade with his parents, he will see Mortal Kombat and Time Killers, which feature beheading, disembowelment, and mutilation. What's next? This is precisely where we step over the line ofresponsible behavior. Most reasonable people in or out of our industry would agree that these themes are inappropriate for children. What option do we give the family who wishes to shield their child from this type of game? The only option they have is to leave and not come back. We trade short-term gain in dollars for a long-term loss in customers, customers who were hard won and who will not desert us like the video player will when the next technological innovation hits the home market. Everyone is responsible for the children of society. To say that This letter is concerning Chris Caire's "Last Word" in the January '93 issue. We read the piece on violence in video games with interest and would like to thank you for keeping the debate alive on this very important issue. It is unfortunate that the individual that you used for rebuttal does not have the strength of his convictions to use his name and have his motivations examined along with his position. Society's mores have changed over time and its citizens are responsible for the changes. The business community, specifically the entertainment industry, plays a disproportionate role in influencing the behavior of our young people. Video games, offered for play in arcades and other places children frequent, are open to all ages without restriction. This is the main difference between our industry and these things do not influence attitudes and behavior is to ignore the body of evidence on the subject. The press has already featured several articles on video game violence. As the games escalate from the relatively non-controversial Street Fighter II to the games mentioned earlier, the spotlight will be focused on our industry. Then the arguments of your anonymous philosopher will sound as hollow as they are when, this time, they are coming out of our mouths. It's time for our industry to act responsibly and "do the right thing." D Tom McAuliffe Frank Ash Champions Amusement Centers Bala Cynwyd, PA Thanks for the letter, guys. We encourage other operators to drop us a line and tell us how they feel about this pertinent subject. Holiday--.. . Pre Packs TAKE STOCK! SPECIALI Redemption Game Tickets EASTER PLUSH IMMEDIATE SHIPPING 1 Box 20,000 $ 47.00 2 Boxes 40,000 $ 7700 3 Boxes 60,000 $107.00 4 Boxes 80,000 $137.00 5 Boxes 100,000 $167.00 Ea. Add. 20,000 $ 30.00 • Choice Copyof "O NE COUPON" or "REDEMPTION" x • 15/32" • PRE-PACKS • BULK • REDEMPTION 2" Machine- Issued "Where Fun & Merchandising Go Together" We have the right redemption tickets for your arcade machines. Avai lable in 12 different colors. in stock or custom-printed. King Plush "TICKET EATER" Counter/Shredder 24414 South Main St. #204 Carson, CA 90745 Count & shred 13 tickets per second . Available with ExtraLarge number display! 1-800-473-3402 lliful ~ TIC~ET CO (310) 834-0499 Fax:·(310) 834-7905 National Ticket Company • P.O. Box 547 • Shamokin, PA 17872 ORDER DEPT. 1-800· 829·0829 • TOLL FREE FAX 1-800-829-0888 OTHER INF OR MA TION I· 717-672-2900 • INTERNATIONAL FAX 1-717-672·2999 PLAY METER 12 MARCH 1993