Play Meter

COIN-OP NEWS Sega to acQuire Data East Pinball Sega Enterprises Ltd. 's president and chief executive office r Mr. Hayao Nakayama and Data East Corp.'s president Mr. Tetsuo Fukuda announce that Sega's U.S. amusement sales division CSega Enterprises Inc. USAl will acquire Data East Pinball, the Chicago-base d U.S. subsidiary of Data East Corp. Said Fukuda: "The sale of Data East Pinball to Sega will give us a stronger position in the industry by allowing us to concentr ate on video game d evelopment for the consumer and coinop sectors, as well as red emption game manufacturing. Further, we believe that the sale of our pinball business to Sega will give the pinba ll company a great opportunity to b ecom e a worldwide success in the pinball industry." Gary Stern of Data East Pinball now part of Segal clowns with Slash of the popular band Guns N' Roses, namesake of a new game. Sega Enterprises USA preside n t Al Stone commented, "We have great respect for Data East Pinball, including the staff and their creative ability. We are looking forward to the alliance; it can be only positive for us and the industry." Data East Pinball executive vice president and gen eral m anager Gary Stern said, "We have enjoyed our years with Data East and are looking forward to working with Sega, probably the most innovative manufacturer in the industry. " Stern added, "It's business as usual," as work continues on games in progress." Initial plans call for the company to run inde p end ently and remain in Chicago. A chan ge of name is being discusse d but no decision has yet been made in that regard . IAAPA gears up for big event in Miami For 76 years the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has been staging one of the biggest displays of amusement products and services under one roof. This year's convention a nd trade show, sch e dule d for Nov. 1-5 in Miami Beach, Fla ., will be no exception. The Mia mi Beach Convention Center will house exhibits from over 800 companies. Dozens of workshops on important topics will be offered as well, geared for owners and operators of amu sement parks, water parks, family e ntertainment centers, and miniature PLAY METER golf courses. Notable topics slated for close scrutiny are: "Safety in Amusement Facilities," "Legislation That Will Impact You," "Mark eting on a Shoestring Budget," "Creative Financing," "Them e d En tertainment, " "High Tech in the Family Entertainment Center," and "Food Service 2000." Also on the agenda: the annual business meeting, spouse luncheon, new m e mber breakfast, and annual banquet Cat the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotell. As always, opening d ay will feature What's New Theater presentations and the Hall of Fame awards. For more information on exhibit space, housing, and transportation, contact IAAPA, (703) 8364800; FAX (703) 836-4801. camestar settles in Chicago Game Star, a joint venture between Capcom Japa n a nd Romstar, h as pettled into its n ew h ead quarters in Arlington Heights, Ill. GameStar will develop vide o, pinball, and redemption games while San Jose, Calif.-based Romstar will handle accounting functions related to international operations. Mr. Takahito Yasuki, preside n t of GameStar 16 and Romstar, will remain in California and travel to Chicago as needed. Tenyear industry veteran Tim Jackson, director of marketing and sales, has moved from California to Chicago. He joins Rene Lopez, vice president, at the n ew office. To reach Lopez and Jackson, write GameStar, 3311 N. Kennicott Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004; (708) 797-6 100; (708) 797-6208. OCTOBER 1994