Play Meter

VOLUME22 VOLUME 22 TABLE OF CONTENTS N0.13 NO. 13 DECEMBER 1996 DECEMBER 1996 50 668 8 YEAR IN IN REVIEW REVIEW YEAR Thebest bestofoftimes, times,or orthe theworst worstofoftimes? times?You Youmake makethe thecall callon onaa The year filled with memorable moments despite a general downyear filled with memorable moments despite a general downturn in business. Take a walk through 1996 on a month by turn in business. Take a walk through 1996 on a month by month basis and look back on the leading news stories, special month basis and look back on the leading news stories, special events, game introductions, quotes, and equipment standouts. events, game introductions, quotes, and equipment standouts. COINMAN:JAMES JAMESPLAMONDON PLAMONDON COINMAN: few months ago it would have been, James who? Now the AAfew months ago it would have been, James who? Now the name of Microsoft's technology evangelist (yes, he signs e-mail name of Microsoft's technology evangelist (yes, he signs e-mail that way) is a household word in coin-op circles. We caught up that way) is a household word in coin-op circles. We caught up with the articulate and unflappable representative of the softwith articulate and unflappable representative of the softwarethe giant to address some lingering questions about Microsoft's ware giant to address some lingering questions about Microsoft's proposals for infusing new life into the amusement industry. proposals for infusing new life into the amusement industry. DEPARTMENTS DEPARTMENTS NewsBulletin Bulletin . . . . ... . ... . . . . . . . . . .33 News From the Editor . . . . ... ... . . . .. . . . . . ..10 . 10 From the Editor Equipment Poll . . ... .. . . . .. .. 12 12 Poll Equipment Up Front . .. .. ... . .. .. ...16 16 Up Front News . . .. . .. . . . .. .. ... .. 18 News .18 .3 2 Beyond the Playfield .. . .. . . . . . . . .. ..32 Beyond the Playfield Who's News .. . . . ... . .. . . . .35 .35 Who's News International Scene ... . ... ... 37 .37 International Scene Cover Story .. . ... . .. . . . . . .. ... .42 . .42 Cover Story From Left Field . .. . ... ... .. ... . .48 .48 From Left Field AMOA Agenda .. . . .. ... . . .. . ... . 83 .83 AMOA Agenda Open Houses . .. .. .. . .. . .. . . . . ...84 84 Open Houses Scoring Success . ... ... .. . . . . .. . . . ...100 100 Scoring Success Redemption Report . . ... . . . . . . . .103 103 Redemption Report Technical Topics ... . . . . ... .. . . ..105 105 Technical Topics Ticket Tech ... ... .. . .. . . . . . ... . . ...109 109 Ticket Tech Sporting Edge . . .. ..111 111 Sporting Edge What's New .. . ... . . ... . . . . . . ... . . ..117 117 What's New Classified . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ... . . . ... ... 125 Classified 125 Calendar . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . ... . . ...170 .170 Calendar 1 COVER COVER In 1996 alone Williams Bally/ Midway in- 775 5 CENTURYCLUB: CLUB: STAN STAN CHILTON CHILTON CENTURY As sincere, loyal, and modest as they come, Stan Chilton of As sincere, loyal, and modest as they come, Stan Chilton of Chilton Vending and Billiards in Wichita, Kan., epitomizes all Chilton Vending and Billiards in Wichita, Kan., epitomizes all that'sbest bestininthe theMidwest. Midwest.He Hereflects reflectson onhis hisfive fivedecades decadesininthe the that's amusement business, recounting the struggles and triumphs. amusement business, recounting the struggles and triumphs. His credo: ''Always be the good guy." His credo: "Always be the good guy." In 1996 alone Williams Bally/Midway introduced pinballs such as Congo, Scared troduced pinballs such as Congo, Scared Stiff, and Tales ofthe A rabian Nights, as well Stiff, and Tales of the Arabian Nights, as well as the Ticket-Tac-Toe novelty game, Touchas the Ticket-Tac-Toe novelty game, Touchmaster countertop, and Cruis'n World and master countertop, and Cruis'n World and NBA Maximum Hangtime videos. From the NBA Maximum Hangtime videos. From the start of the year to the finish W illiams start of the year to the finish Williams keeps bringing on the hits. keeps bringing on the hits. DO YOU YOU NEED NEED FINANCING FINANCING? ? DO Imagination Factory We are not giving money away but . .. We are not giving money away but . . . We have special low ratesavailable have special low rates available We on t erms up t o 3 years. on terms up to 3 years. This offer is limit ed to equipment financing This offer is limited to equipment financing th rough participating distributors . through participating distributors. . The ··6,e-~ ofa5CHILD ciru3o·is~:p~· WORK of PLAY - ~im~~tion-~~-t~itd~~aareality. reali!=B-Imagination makes their dreams Call your participating distributor for your participating distributor for Call further details or call Philip Kass . further details or call Philip Kass. tJ.?e'reBuilding ~il4i~g ~'n!. : We're Fun! .~. · · :.·= s·i s . • -333.:· --.·. - .· --11. :818 .- . . --8830 ·.~ .·. ...333 . 8830 ..: little tikes .Omni commercial play systems (Omni) Inc., PLAY METER PLAY METER CPC SERVICES , INC . CPC SERVICES, INC. 660 WHITE PLAINS ROAD 660 WHITE PLAINS ROAD TARRYTOWN , NY I 059 I TARRYTOWN, NY 1059 1 TEL. 91 4 332-5200 TEL. 914 332-5200 FAX . 914 332-5660 . ' ·- . r:. Ru~~er~aidCo..;,pari~ Rubbermaid 1;1.1.11 f\!.k . FAX. 914 332-5660 A Rubbermaid Company. 8 8 DECEMBER 1996 DECEMBER 1996 1