Play Meter

UP FRONT Void prompts question: Is anyone out there? s Bonnie Theard Managing Editor PLAY METER ci-fi fans who dote on such fare as the Fox Channel's "X Files" know that after the program's haunting music sets the tone, these words appear: The truth is out there. Chilling-in the context of the program's premise of investigating unexplained phenomena. Here at Play Meter we have our share of mysteries, one being a lack of feedback from our readers. Our Fax Poll , which replaced the "Reader's Response" page , registers a fair number of responses only when a nerve is touched , as when video game violence was the topic. Other topics, from street operations to vending , have not fared well in terms of response . Video gaming , that once big issue on everyone 's lips and most state associations ' agendas , generated but one reply when it was the topic of the poll last July. That tells us something. The "Video Gaming Outlook " column enjoyed a three-year run before dying of natural causes last December. No advertising support for the equipment. No comments from the readers. No action on the part of legislatures around the country to enact operator-involved video gaming programs. States with barely navigable waterways are too enamored of 16 riverboat gambling to consider a gaming measure that would keep more money in the state and help small businesses. "Capture those tourist dollars" seems to be the cry of the day, while losing sight of the fact that riverboats pay a smaller tax to the state than legalized video poker games. And they are usually owned by big companies headquartered out of the state in which the vessels float . Another mystery. Taking all this into consideration, we still decided to have a video gaming issue. AMOA has again scheduled a video gaming seminar for the upcoming fall expo-a glimmer of interest lingers . The Fax Poll topic this month is , you guessed it , video gaming. Not from the standpoint of what's going on in your area, but whether or not you still want to read about the subject. We haven 't been this direct before and we do hope that a fair number of r.e aders will let us know how they really feel. ·And while you're at it , speak your mind about other issues. Mail it, fax it, phone it, or send it with your brother-in-law. Letters to the editor are not only accepted, they are encouraged! Our annual state of the industry survey asks for comments about the industry, comments we look forward to receiving annually. Instead of waiting until the survey reaches your desk this fall , take pen to paper now. We know you're out there . The truth rests with you. D JUNE 1994