Star Tech Journal
Issue: 1990-May - Vol 12 Issue 3 - Page 8
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Open Forum
■il-[111.ll■l§alilii
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Q. Why don't manufacturers produce two
versions of the same kit, one for a 19 inch
monitor and the other for a 25 inch monitor?
A. ATARI
To produce two versions of a kit makes it hard for
the manufacturers and distributors to know
how many to build or buy of each version. On
our new kit due out in early summer we are
making the attraction, control panel, decal and
bezel universal so that they may be used on
either a 19 inch or 25 inch monitor. Also, ifwe
feel the game is a bar type game we have put in
inStructions and decals for
tops, i.e. Klax.
Q. Why don't most manufacturers have a toll
free service number anymore?
A. ATARI
A toll free number costs us money that would
require an increase in part prices to pay for it.
We would rather not do that. Also, when we had
an 800 number, we got many calls that took up
valuable time from kids wanting to know how to
play a game. If a service tech is not available
when someone calls we will gladly take your
name and number and return your call.
A. SEGA
When the coin-op industry went through the
hard times in starting in 1983, many manufac-
turers cut costs way down or went out of busi-
ness. In 1984, when I was given the added re-
sponsibility of Atari Consumer, the first thing I
did was cut the 20 toll free lines, saving 1.3
million per year. The market was going away fast
and I was cutting like crazy. Today the coin-op
market is just starting to come back but the
profitability is no where like it was before. We
just can not afford the cost.
Q. Why don't manufacturers put formlca on
the outside of their cabinets? This would
make it easier to keep clean.
A. ATARI
To put formica on our cabinets would increase
cost of each game to distributors by $100-$125.
We are doing everything we can to bring the price
down. If the demand was there and operators
were willing to pay the price we could make our
cabinets with formica. Historically, however,
operators buy the lower priced games.
ASEGA
In some designers minds, formica makes the
game cabinet look cheep. I am not a designer but
I have that feeling, also. The sides of the cabinet
has long been a big issue of mine. Do you leave
it blank, put expensive decals on it or just a
generic decal? On our U /R cabinets, we are
going to a generic side decal. If street locations
want formica sides, you can easily put a new
decal on without taking out a loan to purchase
side panel decals.
•
u
Open Forum
■il-[111.ll■l§alilii
••••••••••••••1:a111a~111••r,111••••11•••••••·••••••••••
Q. Why don't manufacturers produce two
versions of the same kit, one for a 19 inch
monitor and the other for a 25 inch monitor?
A. ATARI
To produce two versions of a kit makes it hard for
the manufacturers and distributors to know
how many to build or buy of each version. On
our new kit due out in early summer we are
making the attraction, control panel, decal and
bezel universal so that they may be used on
either a 19 inch or 25 inch monitor. Also, ifwe
feel the game is a bar type game we have put in
inStructions and decals for
tops, i.e. Klax.
Q. Why don't most manufacturers have a toll
free service number anymore?
A. ATARI
A toll free number costs us money that would
require an increase in part prices to pay for it.
We would rather not do that. Also, when we had
an 800 number, we got many calls that took up
valuable time from kids wanting to know how to
play a game. If a service tech is not available
when someone calls we will gladly take your
name and number and return your call.
A. SEGA
When the coin-op industry went through the
hard times in starting in 1983, many manufac-
turers cut costs way down or went out of busi-
ness. In 1984, when I was given the added re-
sponsibility of Atari Consumer, the first thing I
did was cut the 20 toll free lines, saving 1.3
million per year. The market was going away fast
and I was cutting like crazy. Today the coin-op
market is just starting to come back but the
profitability is no where like it was before. We
just can not afford the cost.
Q. Why don't manufacturers put formlca on
the outside of their cabinets? This would
make it easier to keep clean.
A. ATARI
To put formica on our cabinets would increase
cost of each game to distributors by $100-$125.
We are doing everything we can to bring the price
down. If the demand was there and operators
were willing to pay the price we could make our
cabinets with formica. Historically, however,
operators buy the lower priced games.
ASEGA
In some designers minds, formica makes the
game cabinet look cheep. I am not a designer but
I have that feeling, also. The sides of the cabinet
has long been a big issue of mine. Do you leave
it blank, put expensive decals on it or just a
generic decal? On our U /R cabinets, we are
going to a generic side decal. If street locations
want formica sides, you can easily put a new
decal on without taking out a loan to purchase
side panel decals.
•
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