Play Meter

©@ CONTENTS VOLUME 24 N0.1 NO. 1 JANUARY 1998 JANUARY 1998 VOLUME 24 STATE OF OFTHE THE INDUSTRY INDUSTRYREPORT REPORT STATE 44 44 ter news. 2 8 56 56 C O WHAT'SNEW: NEW: WHAT'S New spot, new format, and all color spotlights the latest product inNew spot, new format, and all color spotlights the latest product introductions in this highly rated section, now conveniently placed aftroductions in this highly rated section, now conveniently placed after news. 63 63 CENTURYCLUB CLUBINTERVIEW: INTERVIEW: CENTURY Industry historian and prolific author Richard Bueschel relates stoIndustry historian and prolific author Richard Bueschel relates stories gleaned from 50 years of admiration and research. ries gleaned from 50 years of admiration and research. AWESOMEIAAPA: IAAPA: AWESOME You have to see it to believe it, and 31 ,500 visitors did. Coin-op products were well represented this time around, as well as high-tech. You have to see it to believe it, and 31,500 visitors did. Coin-op prod- ucts were well represented this time around, as well as high-tech. 84 84 99 99 MIDW RACIAY NG GAME ROOM: FALL GAME LINEUP GAME ROOM: FALL GAME LINEUP Michael Getlan reviews games from all three major amusement Michael Getlan reviews games from all three major amusement shows in terms of video, redemption , kiddie rides, and pinball. shows in terms of video, redemption, kiddie rides, and pinball. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: The unvarnished truth about the current state of the coi n-op world in The unvarnished truth about the current state of the coin-op world in a compact, 16-page section complete with charts and quotes. a compact, 16-page section complete with charts and quotes. page44 page 44 TECHn1c1nn•e CORNER CoRnER TECHNICIAN'S 94 94 TECHNICALTOPICS TOPICS TECHNICAL Randy Fromm (exclusive in Play Meter) explains the functioning and Randy Fromm (exclusive in Play Meter) explains the functioning and failure of switched mode power supplies and how to rectify problems. failure of switched mode power supplies and how to rectify problems. 118 TICKET TECH 118 TICKET TECH Vic Fortenbach discusses the five tools most often needed for reVic Fortenbach discusses the five tools most often needed for re- demption game repairs. Having the right tool for the job makes your demption game repairs. Having the right tool for the job makes your job easier. job easier. COVER COVER page 63 page 63 PLAY METER PLAY METER Mission Crane has re-invigoMission Crane has re-invigoratedthe theskill skillcrane cranemarket market rated with its upscale models that with its upscale models that solid-woodexteriors exteriors featuresolid-wood feature and quality interiors. The and quality interiors. The company prides itself on an company prides itself on an operator program that inoperator program that includes technical training and cludes technical training and prize merchandise as part of prize merchandise as part of the package. Models picthe package. Models pictured: Oakmont(single), tured: Oakmont (single), Colonial, Santa Fe, Frontier, Colonial, Santa Fe, Frontier, Oakmont(double), and Oakmont (double), and Premier. Premier. 8 8 DEPA,RTMENTS DEPARTMENTS News Bulletin . . ... . . . . . ... . .3 3 News Bulletin From the Editor . . ... . ... 12 12 From the Editor Equipment Poll . .. .. . .. . .. .. 13 13 Equipment Poll Up Front . . . . . ... .. . ... . .. .. . . .16 16 Up Front Coin-Op News . ... .. . . . 18 18 Coin-Op News From Left Field . .. . . 36 36 From Left Field Who's News ... . ..38 .38 Who's News Beyond the Playfield .. . .. ... . . .. 40 40 Beyond the Playfield Eye on Asia . . ... . .. .. . . .. ..48 .48 Eye on Asia Cover Story . . .. .. ... . . . .. ..50 .50 Cover Story Company Profile .. . ... . . . ·.. 88 .88 Company Profile The Legal Eagle .. .. .. .. . . . . . . ..92 .92 The Legal Eagle AMOA Agenda .. . . ... . ... 115 .115 AMOA Agenda International Scene . ... . ..116 .116 International Scene Time Flies .. . . ... .. ... . . ... . ..119 119 Time Flies Sporting Edge .. . .. . .120 .120 Sporting Edge Trade Accessories .. .. . .. .. .. . 122 .122 Trade Accessories Classified .. . ... .. .. . . .. .. .. ..124 124 Classified Calendar . .. . .. . ... . ..178 178 Calendar JANUARY 1998 JANUARY 1998