David Crane, former Atari programmer and co-founder of Activision, will be honored at the Class of 2017 International Video Game Hall of Fame Induction ceremony with the Walter Day Lifetime Achievement Award. The storied gaming contributor has left an indelible mark on the industry, and is credited as the creator of home video games like Pitfall, Dragster, Freeway and more. Though he left the company he helped found in 1986, Activision has grown into a multi-billion dollar company now known as Activision-Blizzard, and is behind some of the most recognizable gaming franchises today including Call of Duty and Warcraft. “We…
Author: Casey Minter
Argenys Rodriguez, 22, of Springfield, Mass., was sentenced on Sept. 26 to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, and a court order to pay restitution in the amount of $121,355.38 for his role in an ATM “jackpotting” scheme. The sentence, which was handed by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford, Conn., bestowed on Rodriguez the dubious honor of first American sentenced for ATM jackpotting. According to court documents, Rodriguez’ Jan. 2018 arrest and subsequent conviction stems from malware attacks on ATM machines in Connecticut and elsewhere. Called “jackpotting,” thieves use…
Arachnid 360 started their 34th Annual BullShooter Tour, Sept. 7-9, in Kissimmee, Fla. The regional competition was co-sponsored by several Arachnid distributors: Betson Florida, Legacy Coin and Player One Amusement Group. Over $12,000 was awarded to the players over the weekend. Friday featured a Blind Draw with a 100% payback and $500 added to the pot. The 11 main events started on Saturday and ran through Sunday. Veteran dart player Krissy Grimal was the big winner over the weekend taking home three first championships, in Women’s Singles, Woman’s Doubles Combo with Meradith McGee, Mixed Triples with Heath Namaka and Nick…
VISA has announced a change in its policy that will allow ATM deployers the option to perform Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) on international ATM transactions in the U.S. The new rules reverse a long-held policy that prohibited the use of DCC at ATMs in the U.S. The DCC service allows cardholders — when traveling abroad — to choose if the transaction should be conducted in the local currency or their home currency. If a cardholder accepts a DCC transaction at the ATM, the operator may assess a conversion-related commission to convert the transaction amount in the cardholder’s more easily understood…
RePlay recently learned of the passing of former Iowa Operators of Music and Amusements (IOMA) Executive Director Jenny Duede. She was a common and welcome sight at many AMOA State Council meetings and is already missed by many in the industry she positively influenced. She passed away at age 68 on Sept. 18 at the University Hospital in Iowa City. A visitation was held on Saturday, Sept. 22, followed by a prayer service. Jenny Duede spent her life in Iowa, attending high school in Guthrie Center before starting a short career as a beautician. She spent time working for the…
Intercard has finished up another big installation, this time at Corky’s Gaming Bistro in Grapevine, Texas, the latest venture from Neil Hupfauer, the FEC pioneer behind the Fun Fest and Main Event centers. This newly built location offers a bar, restaurant, 78 classic arcade games, 12 pins, four escape rooms and (capitalizing on the latest trends) 10 axe-throwing lanes. Hupfauer, was one of the first operators to champion Intercard and used its cashless technology at Fun Fest and Main Event, reported Intercard. The company further explained that their system was chosen for the new venture because it can track individual…
Bay Tek’s new Prize Hub Live lets its operators analyze and manage their games from their computers or mobile devices in real time. They’ll will be able to check inventory, change ticket prices and upload new prize images and quantities. According to Bay Tek, the added convenience works well for short term promotions or to correct mistakes made while on-location. “One of the main appeals of Prize Hub is its ease of use. It’s a self-contained prize counter, meaning no attendant is necessary, so it should be easy to maintain,” said the company’s Rick Hallet. Interested parties can contact Bay…
Georgia-based entertainment center company Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is opening its fourth location and its first in Texas, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The 100,000-square-foot complex — set to open Oct. 3 — will feature high-speed go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality attractions, eight bowling lanes, an elevated ropes course and a full-service restaurant and bar. Andretti plans on hiring 350 employees for the FEC. The company’s other locations are in Marietta, Ga., Orlando, Fla. and Roswell, N.M. It has plans for a Dallas location as well. The newest facility will be near iFLY San Antonio, an…
Florida’s GameTime is celebrating the official grand opening of its fifth flagship FEC this Friday, Sept. 28, with celebrations continuing through the weekend. The new location, located at the One Daytona complex in Daytona Beach, Fla., opens with more than 100 new and retro games, prize machines, pins and 12 bowling lanes. On top of that, customers can expect private banquet rooms, a full liquor bar with 70+ TVs and a full-service restaurant with outdoor seating and firepits. The celebration starts at 11 a.m. on Friday with a cost-effective Dine N’ Play combo, followed by a half-off Happy Hour from…
Andamiro was among the coin-op crowd showing new goods at the GTI Asia China Expo where show organizers, Game Time International, claimed more than 100,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors participated, making it their largest held so far. Andamiro had 40 company officials at the show displaying a dozen new products, including two new video-redemption games: Monster Catcher and Poogie Race. “China has immense needs for entertainment and the government’s liberal policy on the [amusement] industry has activated development,” organizers from GTI said. Next on Andamiro’s list is the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, held Nov. 13-16.