Play Meter

UP FRONT Lament proves some things never change eave it to a comic strip character to put everything from programming backhis finger on the problem. Hagar the ground music to tracking most-often Viking of "Hagar the Horrible" fame played and least-ofte n playe d titles. sits upon a rock with his head in his Powerful amplifiers and blow-youhands. His dim-witted friend approach- away speakers are standard. The key is es, asking , "What's wrong?" Hagar to change the music mu ch as you replies , "The cost of new shields just would change cartridges in a Neo -Geo went through the roof! " "Wow! Think of system. Software drives the har dware, what that must do to the cost of a new not the other way around. roof! " surmises his friend. Hagar Imagine up to 50 differ ent gam es in laments, "It's almost impossible for us one cabinet that fits n eatly on t h e small businessmen to make it any- counter, available in both button and more! " touch screen models. It is available in Well put. While the today 's countertops , a c a t e gory of global economic reces- equipment that has not r eceive d its sion continues, the coin due. Sounds pretty good if the budget is machine world feels the pinch along with other tight (and whose isn't?l. How about a industries . Pricetags second look here? Every tavern locaescalate, never back- tion is a prime contender to house at peddle , no matter what least one. place you occupy in hisAdult locations embrac e cardthemed games and 8-line games like tory. What's the alternative no other. Women, a market often overfor small operators? looked, enjoy these fast-playing games Staples such as pool that never go out of style . And what tables, darts, foosball, man ever passed up an opportunity to air hockey, and shuffle- turn a card? There ' s a common denominator board, all of which lend themselves to tourna- here: the equipment listed suits tavern ments and leagues. locations perfectly and happens to be They don 't have to b e moved when featured this month in our Fall Buyer's interest wanes and the game has been Guide. Anyone who has not seen the beaten. The outcome is never the same latest offerings in these categories can because skill enters the picture. And leisurely scan the 20-plus pages of skill is achieved through practice , product listings with an eye to present which means more coins in the cash locations and as an entree to future box. These machines re quire promo- locations. tions to keep them in the high revSometimes the old ways are the best enue-producing column. The operator ways. Is high-tech the answer or better creates an incentive to play through u se of lo w-tech? The cost of shields choreographed com p etition and may never come down for Hagar, just rewards in the form of trophies and as the cost of equipment may never prizes. drop for operators. But the creative Jukeboxes are forever! They haven't thinker looks at the available tools and been around for over 100 years without gets the best from them . Return on making an impression. Today's models investment is the name of the game. offer dazzling exteriors with picture What equipment has been good to you display title viewers and sophisticated in the long haul? D interiors that provide options for L Bonnie Theard Managing Editor PLAY METER 12 AUGUST 1994