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NEWS BULLETIN CAPCOM TAKES ANOTHER LOOK AT REVENUE SHARING Operators weren't the only ones in attendance at the recent AMOA Council of Affiliated States meeting in Las Vegas. Capcom USA's Joe Morici and Brian Duke got together with AMOA president R.A. Green and other operators to get their input on a number of proposals, including revenue sharing. "We discussed revenue sharing, leasing, leasing with an option to buy, and a number of other alternatives to the traditional way of selling games," Duke said. "We wanted operators' views and not just those of the distributors, because then we couldn't be certain that we were coming up with a program that addresses all people. We are trying to create a multi-dimensional program that's agreed upon by operators, distributors, and Capcom." Duke conceded that Capcom's prior attempt at revenue sharing, which was handled by its route division and bypassed distributors, was not very successful. "I think opening a dialogue with the operators has eased some of the distrust that existed over manufacturers who also want to operate, " he said. "The secrecy that surrounded Capcom in the past was a detriment. But now that coin-op, through Joe Morici and Steve Blattspieler; has say-so over the route division, we're going to do it right. It's going to be aboveboard and open to everyone-distributors and operators-subject to certain set standards." This program, in whatever form it finally appears, is only designed to enhance game sales, Duke stressed. "We want to increase the number of units out there, not take away from sales," he said. "An operator should still experience a better rate of return by buying the games. But if he has a location that normally would keep him from even considering buying a game and putting it in there, then revenue sharing might be the answer." Duke says Capcom hopes to go to ACME with a plan to "bounce off people, to see what they like and dislike about it." The company would then hope to have a final program in place by the end of March. IREM AMERICA SHUTS DOWN COIN-OP Irem America's Max Fujimoto told Play Meter that the company's coin-op sales staff has been let go; only he and three others remain at lrem America. Fujimoto said the company would still exhibit at ACME, though nothing new will be shown. He wasn't certain if the coin-op division would ever be revived, but the consumer side will remain viable. We've heard that Irem Japan will continue to bring in games and license them to other American companies, though that couldn't be confirmed. SECOND VIOLENCE IN VIDEO HEARING SET It's time for round two. The Senate Subcommittee on Regulation & Government Information, led by Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Herbert Kohl, will conduct its second hearing on the issue of violence in video games on March 4. AMOA government relations manager Laura Olson was unsure who would testify on the industry's behalf. It could be AMOA immediate past president Craig Johnson, who appeared at the first hearing; a representative of the recently formed coin-op/consumer/software dealers coalition; or some other arrangement. "We're waiting to find out how they want to run the panel," Olson said. "They may just want one person as an industry spokesman, or they may want the identical people who testified the first time. We'll have to see." Since the first Senate hearing, representatives from AMOA and AAMA have met in Chicago to coordinate a unified coin-op strategy for dealing with the issue. "We agreed to work together and make a presentation to the senators that educates them about the differences between our industry and the consumer industry," said Tami Norberg-Paulsen, chairman of the AMOA Government Relations Committee. "We want to present a united front for the industry, which is why we're working with the AAMA. But there are some things we're going to require in the proposal to the senators before we'll sign off on it." Joe Dillon, chairman of AAMA's Parental Advisory Committee, said, "It was a good m eeting. Both associations are in agreement that we must be very careful and cautious as to what kind of system is initiated. To that extent we're trying to work together on a plan to bring to the Hill." SHOW 'EM WHAT IT'S ABOUT The Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association is urging its members to take advantage of the fact that ACME is taking place in Illinois by bringing legislators and state/city officials to the show. "A major issue relating to our industry needs to be addressed by our legislators: video gaming," wrote ICMOA president Stan Williams and Video Gaming Committee chairman Ray Shroyer in a letter to members. "We have a unique opportunity (to show lawmakers) what a vast industry this is. But first they must come to ACME." The association is arranging for badges for these officials. For more information, call the ICMOA at (708) 369-2406. AMOA PROMOTES GRIFFIN Marian Griffin, who's served as AMOA's senior convention manager for the past two years, has been appointed executive director of the association. She will oversee the development of programs and services to better meet the membership's needs, among other responsibilities. "Marian's expertise in numerous areas-including budgets, member programs, and association management-are an asset to AMOA," said AMOA executive vice president John Schumacher. "This new position reflects, in part, the hard work and dedication Marian has given to the association." Griffin, who has five years of association management experience, was in charge of managing AMOA's annual shows and Washington Conferences as senior convention manager. NAME CHANGE FOR SEGA DRIVER Due to ongoing negotiations with NASCAR, Sega Enterprises will not be referring to its new driving game as Daytona GP as planned. The revised name will be announced at ACME, where it makes its debut. DATES MOVED FOR POLAND SHOW The fourth annual trade show in Poland, scheduled for April 14-16, has been moved to June 23-25. The ABP Group, which serves as organizer and management company, had to shut down its operations in Calabasas, Calif., for several weeks because of the Southern California earthquake. "Inasmuch as we lost so much valuable time, we had to make a decision as to hosting the exhibition at a later date or canceling," said ABP's George Herman. "The response from our exhibitors has been to present the show at a later date; we've selected June 23-25." For more information, contact Herman at (818) 222-6161. OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE The following is a list of the post-ACME open house dates that we could confirm before going to press; times are listed where available. • Mandia! Distrib.: Springfield, N.J ., March 22, 3-7 p.m .; Pittsburgh, March 26, noon-4 p .m .; Rochester, N.Y., March 27, noon-5 p.m.; Norwood, Mass., March 30, 2-8 p .m .; Philadelphia, April 2, noon-4 p .m. • Betson Enterprises: March 23, 1-7 p.m. • Betson Pittsburgh: March 26, 1-6 p.m. • New England Coin-Op: March 30, 2-8 p .m. • Betson Advance: April 10, 1-6 p.m. • C.A. Robinson: San Francisco, March 30; Los Angeles, Aprill. • Pacific Vend: April 8, 9 a.m.-5 p .m . • Lieberman Music Co.: March 30. • Music-Vend: Seattle, April 5, 4-9 p.m .; Portland Cat Dunis Dist.l, April 7, 4-9 p.m.; Anchorage, April 29-30. • SunBelt Amusement & Vending: April 2, 11 a.m.-5 p .m. • Greater Southern: March 25, 5:30-9 p.m. • Century Vending: April 2, 10 a.m.-4 p .m. • Colorado Game and Vending Exchange: April 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m . MONDIAL PITTSBURGH APPOINTS RUSH Mandia! Distributing has hired Patrick Rush to run its branch office in Pittsburgh. He comes to Mandia! with 12 years of experience in credit administration and finance , most recently at American High Reach Inc. "Pat will be a great addition to the excellent team that we already have in our Pittsburgh office," said Mandia! executive vice president Tony Yula. "He is a strong administrator who knows Pittsburgh and its business climate very well." APRIL BOOK TO BE LATE In order to include full coverage of ACME in the April issue, we're going to have to mail it a few days later than usual. But be assured that it will be worth the wait!