Starting this fall, the AMOA’s National Dart Assn. will bring regional tournaments to three cities: Sioux Falls, S.D., will host Nov. 4-6, then on to Billings, Mont., Dec. 2-4 with Madison, Wis. ,wrapping up the regionals Jan. 13-17, 2017. Any qualified NDA-sanctioned player is eligible to compete at any of those locations. The NDA regionals offer a fun and affordable way for players to gain experience and get some value out of their sanctioned status. These tournaments are classified by skill rating, so a competitive experience is offered to everyone. A new feature of the 2016-2017 series allows all first…
Author: Casey Minter
Over 38 attendees came to Amusement Products’ headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn., March 1-2 for a crash course in fun centers. This FEC Success conference is hosted by the company several times a year and offers a mix of classroom instruction, as well as hands-on testing of the company’s products. Attendees representing existing operators and start-ups from the U.S. and Canada were able to see go-karts, bumper cars, pitching machines, a laser tag arena and more firsthand. Ten invited speakers covered topics such as point of sale systems, insurance, carpeting, bowling, laser tag, scheduling software for birthdays and events, redemption, video…
The newest addition to Benchmark Games’ Monster Drop family has been released. Monster Drop Chaos debuted at last year’s IAAPA show, and since then it has gone on to win a bronze medal from BMIGaming.com/The Stinger Report. This award will be officially presented at the upcoming Amusement Expo in Las Vegas next week. Stop by booth #200 to see and play the machine (it’s available for immediate shipment to operators worldwide). For more information on the game, check Benchmark’s website at www.benchmarkgames.com or contact your distributor.
For all who immediately start humming the catchy tune that goes with that famous catchphrase, Stern Pinball has a pleasant surprise: its Ghostbusters pinball! The company has announced the availability of this, its latest machine, which was inspired by the original 1984 film. The pin, available in three models –– Pro, Premium and Limited Edition –– asks players to take up the task of catching mischievous ghosts through a playfield full of humorous, adventure-filled challenges. The factory says the game is easy to play, but difficult to master. A moving Slimer toy target and a distinctive layout keep every game fresh. Multi-function, two-way ramps…
Andamiro plans to debut its first new game since its SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade hit at the Amusement Expo next week. This machine, Baseball Pro, is a giant pitch-and-bat game where the player controls a miniature baseball bat to skillfully hit a ball rolling down a ramp on the playfield. If they are able to avoid the “out” holes and get players on the bases or make a home run, they win. A play-by-play announcer adds to the fun and realism of the game, and the factory adds that its presence and vibrant side art makes it a “must play.” The…
The owner of Southern California’s Mulligan Family Fun Center, Georgia Ann Claessens, died in February at the age of 60 from injuries suffered in a horse riding accident. She started riding horses at the age of two, and hadn’t stopped since, competing in jumper class competition just weeks before her passing. Georgia spent a long life in many places around this world, but California was home. She played volleyball in college at UC Santa Barbara, and met her husband in the ‘80s, moving with him to Holland where they lived for five years. Returning to the States in 1988, the…
Coastal Amusements recently collaborated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help a young man’s dreams come true. The child, a beneficiary of the non-profit’s good deeds, wanted to play Subway Surfers and Temple Run 2 – in the full-sized coin-op version — in the comfort of his own home. Coastal stepped up to make this happen. “We were thrilled when asked if we could help,” said Sal Mirando, co-owner of Coastal. “Lenny (Dean) and I discussed the matter and immediately agreed to grant his wish. When you are given the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, you take it.…
The staff development and sales training specialists at TrainerTainment are hosting a webinar tomorrow (Thursday, March 10) focused on capitalizing on the benefits of our unprecedentedly social world. The webinar will ask whether you and your company are making the most out of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media. These virtual worlds are the new “front desk” of your business, and can be used to gain access to people that a company could never reach in the past. TrainerTainment says the average adult American spends over three hours a day on social media, and they hope to show…
AMI Entertainment Network has announced several updates for its Tap TV and jukebox line designed to help streamline their management, as well as increase the time patrons spend on location and boost revenue for operators. With AMI’s Ad Manager, operators and locations can now create, edit and schedule ads for Tap TV systems and AMI jukeboxes from a smartphone or tablet via the factory’s operator website. AMI says Ad Manager is easy to use and is “a great tool for locations to promote specials and events, ultimately boosting sales.” Operators can also now schedule and organize free Tap TV trivia…
This year’s Amusement Expo is right around the corner, starting Tuesday of next week (March 15) and running through March 17. The good news is, you can still sign up! From the strong slate of educational seminars to a show floor full of brand new products, there are many reasons for industry members to attend. But if you need further incentive, how about the chance to win one of the many great prizes in AMOA’s Wayne E. Hesch Scholarship Fund raffle and help some deserving students with their college expenses? Traditionally, show organizers have raffled off a car as a…