Given the spirit and the time of year, I began thinking of what I would really wish for in the new year...
Just once, I wish the hit video game of 2001 would be only available in coin-op and not consumer...May 2001 be the year that the video earnings trend reverses itself and earnings actually increase.
I want a Vegas regular to say: "This trip I lost money gambling that I really shouldn't have. The odds really are with the house." I tire of hearing gamblers who profess to win every time...May everything stay well at Incredible Technologies, since they are one of the few bright spots in our industry.
Let's hope that at least one of the Web Booths at AMOA produces something we can buy that earns well, week in and week out.
Here's a big wish for jukebox operators. Here's hoping that a licensing arrangement can be worked out for the digital jukeboxes that are evolving. It seems to be the only hurdle to real distribution of the units.
I want to hear a poker operator tell me that without poker money, he would be broke in a week...which is often reality.
As an operator, I want to buy my products directly from whomever I want: distributor or manufacturer.
Let this be the year that I can download good video product over phone lines and perform audit and service functions, and "rotate" new software into the cabinet from my desktop computer.
In 2001, may the AMOA announce that they are finally out of the National Amusement Network, Inc. (NANI), once and for all.
A year from now, I would like AMOA and AAMA to be one association. It's the next logical step.
In 2001, may there be five applications for every vacancy on the AMOA board of directors. I would wish that, as a result of this consolidation of associations, the trade shows would be even further consolidated...into one large show per year.
At one of the trade shows, I would like to see Jack Rodios, online publisher of www.casbox.com, moderate a town hall meeting with industry leaders. [Editor's note: Randy, what makes you think there would be anything moderate about that?]
How about one really good, standout, pinball machine in 2001? We could use it.
As our company is publicly traded, I spend a great deal of my time talking about our company's latest quarterly earnings reports and filings to interested industry members, and customers. So another wish on my Christmas list is that we publish all of the industry's income statements and balance sheets for all to see. I would predict this industry is much sicker than we think. (The economic rule that built a coin-op video game industry was to earn back the initial total investment of a video game out of the operator's share of first year earnings. Now it seems this model is the rare exception, rather than the rule.)
May Joel Friedman, formerly with Rowe Manufacturing, find a job that utilizes his vast industry knowledge.
Come to think of it, last September's AMOA Expo looked more like a job fair than an equipment display at times. Many industry veterans were looking for work. May they land a job they enjoy.
May 2001 be the year that Midway Mfg. turns it around with new products and innovative marketing concepts. Sega, same as above.
In 2001, may the industry jointly come up with a proactive solution to solve the issues of video content legislation.
As the Golden Dollar continues to fade off into the Susan B. Anthony graveyard, may the U.S. Mint finally realize that the dollar bill must be eliminated for our country to make the transition to a dollar coin!
I understand spin, but the next time a major video game manufacturer files for bankruptcy, can we not insult the industry's intelligence by stating that it was only to renegotiate building leases? Isn't another criteria for claiming bankruptcy that the liabilities of a company must exceed a company's assets?
Finally, I wish that each and every one of you has the merriest of Christmases with your friends and families. We all have much to be grateful for. Remember that (for all of its problems and frustrations) our industry has provided a livelihood for all of us. Please remember, too, that it is our collective responsibility to give back to our industry. That means belonging to your associations, contributing your time, and being a responsible industry member.
So on that note, a merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!