Play Meter

CONTENTS CONTENTS VOLUME 24 VOLUME 24 N0.8 NO. 8 JULY 1998 JULY 1998 FOR KIDS ONLY 66 66 78 78 96 96 THROUGHTHE THELOOKING LOOKINGGLASS: GLASS:E3 E3 THROUGH The word overwhelming isn't adequate. A first-time visit to E3 reThe word overwhelming isn't adequate. A first-time visit to E3 reveals what we're up against in software for PCs, home consoles, veals what we're up against in software for PCs, home consoles, andthe theInternet. Internet. and HAPPY25TH 25THANNIVERSARY, ANNIVERSARY,DYNAMO! DYNAMO! HAPPY Modest beginnings didn't deter the little company in Texas that be- Modest beginnings didn't deter the little company in Texas that became an innovator. Get the full story and an interview with Bill Rickett. came an innovator. Get the full story and an interview with Bill Rickett. FORKIDS KIDSONLY ONLY FOR From kiddie rides to capsule vendors and modular play structures to From kiddie rides to capsule vendors and modular play structures to kid-friendly places , we've got the little ones covered . 114 114 117 117 129 129 Kids say the smartest Kids sayabout the smartest things entertainthings about entertainment. Page 98 ment. Page 98 kid-friendly places, we've got the little ones covered. FECFOCUS: FOCUS:FLORIDA FLORIDAFUN FUNPARK PARK FEC Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park has withstood the Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park has withstood the test of time and draws a diverse mix of guests to its attractions . test of time and draws a diverse mix of guests to its attractions. HELPFULHINTS HINTSCONTEST CONTEST HELPFUL Dave Magaro Jr., of Magaro Machines describes his pinball repair Dave Magaro Jr., of Magaro Machines describes his pinball repair odyssey. It's not too late for you to enter the contest! odyssey. It's not too late for you to enter the contest! COINMAN:LEE LEEJENKINS JENKINS COINMAN: The new AMOA board member is a street operator who shares his The new AMOA board member is a street operator who shares his views on leagues, jukeboxes, contracts, distributors , and more . views on leagues, jukeboxes, contracts, distributors, and more. TECHnlCIRn"B CORNER CoRnER TECHNICIAN'S 2 148 148 TECHNICALTOPICS TOPICS TECHNICAL 153 153 TICKETTECH TECH TICKET Randy Fromm , exclusive in Play Meter, sheds light on the pinball 's Randy Fromm, exclusive in Play Meter, sheds light on the pinball's lamp matrix in Williams and Sega games plus general pinball troulamp matrix in Williams and Sega games plus general pinball troubleshooting tips. bleshooting tips. Vic Fortenbach looks at air compressors, balls, light bulbs , ball-loadVic Fortenbach looks at air compressors, balls, light bulbs, ball-loader assemblies, and ticket dispensers for classic Meltec games. er assemblies, and ticket dispensers for classic Meltec games. 51 COVER COVER The Bas are waiting. W large 1870₺ l l a B s n a m r e Fish nge lle a s Ch as AB Konamiintroduces introducesaa Konami new video kit. Page 38 new video kit. Page 38 PLAYMETER METER PLAY Award-winning Kiddie's Mfg. is proud of its kiddie ride line, espeproud of its kiddie ride line, especially licensed rides such as Spicially licensed rides such as Spider-Man,X-Men, X-Men,NFL NFLHelmet, Helmet,InInder-Man, credible Hulk, Harley-Davidson, credible Hulk, Harley-Davidson, andthe thenew newinteractive interactiveunits unitsfeafeaand turing Looney Tunes characters turing Looney Tunes characters slated for August introduction . slated for August introduction. Quality kiddie rides enhance the Quality kiddie rides enhance the family image of a location , and to family image of a location, and to planstotocontincontinthat endKiddie's Kiddie'splans that end ue developing new rides that will , ue developing new rides that will, as company founder, president, as company founder, president, and CEO Eric Torres says, "transand CEO Eric Torres says, "transform educationinto intointeractive interactive form education experiences for children presentexperiences for children presentedinina aformat formatrecognizable recognizableby by ed both parents and children ." Award-winning Kiddie's Mfg. is both parents and children." 88 • DEPARTMENTS ·HW,Ni\!iW'G ~ NewsBulletin Bulletin ... . . . 33 News .. . .. . ... . .. 12 From the Editor 12 From the Editor Equipment Poll .. .. .. . .14 14 Equipment Poll Up Front . .. . . 20 20 Up Front Coin-Op News . . . . . ... . . .. 22 .22 Coin-Op News In Memory .. . ... . .. . ... . ... . ..44 .44 In Memory Who's News .. . .. 46 .46 Who's News Beyond the Playfield ... . .. . ...48 .48 Beyond the Playfield 52 What's New . ... . ... . ... . .. .52 What's New Cover Story . ... . .. ... . . .. .. . 88 . 88 Cover Story Offthe theRecord Record . ... . . . . .. 113 .113 Off Scoring Success ... . ... . 121 .121 Scoring Success StateShow Show ... . .. . ...122 122 State Distributor Meeting .. 125 .125 Distributor Meeting Open House . .. . ... ..128 128 Open House Grand Opening .. . . .. . . . ... ...135 135 Grand Opening Company Profile . .. . ... . 137 . 137 Company Profile The Legal Eagle .. . .. 143 . 143 The Legal Eagle... . . . . . .. .. .. . . . 146 Game Room 146 Game Room TaxTips Tips .. . . .. . . . .. ..147 147 Tax InternationalScene Scene . ..156 156 International Trade Accessories . . . . .. . . 160 160 Trade Accessories Classified .. ... ... . ..163 163 Classified Calendar ... . . .. . . . . . . .. . . ...202 .202 Calendar JULY1998 1998 JULY