Conquering the Summer Surge A Guide to Smarter Guest Flow that Speeds Them on Their Way to Fun! By Clint Novak, Business Development Manager, A&A Global Industries It’s July. The sun is out, the doors are open and a line of guests is snaking out from your front counter. For an operator, this is both a blessing and a curse. More guests mean more revenue, but that long line is your first – and most critical – operational bottleneck. During my nearly a decade as the general manager of Fun Land of Fredericksburg, I became intimately familiar with this challenge.…
Author: RePlay Editor
Reviewing China’s AAA from Afar But with Keen Eyes on the Ground by Adam Pratt, Arcade Galactic & ArcadeHeroes.com While the U.S. market tends to focus on three main trade shows a year – Amusement Expo, Bowl Expo and IAAPA – there are many more of significance around the world. The global nature of our industry and the growth of product options have led to shows every month. Among them is the Asian Amusement & Attractions Expo (AAA) which was recently held in China. Although I didn’t get to attend myself, I have a great network of people I rely…
We are NOT the “Gaming” Business by Jack Guarnieri, Jersey Jack Pinball & PinballSales.com I was recently working on a music license for use on a game when I read that an excluded channel of distribution was “Casinos and Gaming Establishments.” That term is defined as meaning “casinos, gambling establishments, gaming locations (such as arcades and carnival ‘midway’ areas) and associated retail venues.” So, signing this would mean I cannot cannot sell my games to an arcade! To me, the word “gaming” has always been a term for a gambling game or venue. In more recent years, it’s been used for…
Bringing 1988 Back! Why the Old School Philosophy of Grouping Still Works in Modern FECs for VR Arcade Games by Nick DiMatteo, Pinnacle Entertainment Group You shouldn’t be grouping games anymore, at least not like in 1988. Back then, all the gun games were in one row, the racers were side by side, and the only rules were grouping, noise and neon. But today’s FECs are different. You spread out the fun to make it feel smoother. You guide guests, rather than keeping them in one area, except when it comes to virtual reality. Strangely enough, VR is one of…
The State of XR in the Amusement Industry by Bob Cooney This is the 10th anniversary of VR’s beginning in the amusement industry. The year 2015 saw the emergence of Zero Latency and The VOID, two of the most revolutionary entertainment concepts of the last 40 years. While The VOID didn’t emerge from the pandemic, Zero Latency continues its rapid expansion with 120 sites across six continents and opening multiple new locations each month. Today the technology has solidified around industry standards, and there’s a proliferation of quality content and solutions from dozens of companies. Technology I’ve opted to use…
June was a busy month for a number of our state operator associations whose annual summer get-togethers give its members and their families a chance to socialize and kick back after a year that brought the usual pile-up of problems out on the route. What problems? Let’s just quote one tradester who once said: “Every machine at every location is a problem waiting to happen.” Trade people from Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota and elsewhere typically gather at resort-style locations around this time of year to talk some business, but also to get in some golf, boating and some other activities that…
Dates and Events are Subject to Change. Check with each organization to confirm that the event will go on as scheduled and monitor your Instant RePlay email newsletters for updates. Submit events for inclusion by emailing editor@replaymag.com. June 29-July 3: Bowl Expo; The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Washington, D.C.; bowlexpo.com August 19-21: Southern Amusement & Entertainment Expo; Gas South Convention Center, Duluth, Ga.; www.sae-expo.com August 19-21: AAMA Annual Meeting and Celebration; Warwick Melrose, Dallas, Texas; www.coin-op.org September 8-10: IATP Annual Conference & Trade Show; Harrah’s Ak-Chin, Maricopa, Ariz.; www.indoor.adventureparks.org September 30-October 2: NAC2025 – ATMs Across America conference;…
You’re My (VR) Hero Hero Zone Aims to Make VR “Compact, Weekend-Proof and Profitable” The emergence of virtual reality a decade ago attracted a new generation of bold entrepreneurs who saw the arcade and FEC markets as ripe ground for innovation. However, building a successful product, let alone an enduring company, in the amusement industry requires more than a new idea – it requires a balancing act of understanding what consumers expect in the ever-evolving gaming market while responding to the unique needs of operators. A handful of companies have successfully walked this tightrope. If you measure success by the…
Urgency vs. Desperation in Sales Why the Difference Matters & Understanding the Distinction By Beth Standlee, CEO, TrainerTainment Urgency in sales is a proactive, confident approach that motivates action by highlighting real opportunities or consequences of delay, while desperation is a reactive, anxious behavior that signals scarcity or fear of missing out on sales. Buyers can sense desperation like a dog understands fear. Being desperate is about the seller meeting their own needs, which I believe is the opposite of why people buy the things sellers sell. It may seem counterintuitive, but people buy what they want or need, not…
Greens with a Twist Two Mini-Golf Worlds Collide by Barry Zelickson If you’re a mini-golf fan, you’re in for a treat! Nate, host of Fun Across America, visited two unforgettable destinations that take the beloved pastime to new heights: Big Stone Miniature Golf in Minnetrista, Minnesota, and Putt Nation in Buford, Georgia. These two venues couldn’t be more different – but both deliver next-level fun and creativity that redefine what mini-golf can be. • • • Big Stone Miniature Golf – Minnetrista, MN – bigstoneminigolf.com YouTube.com/watch?v=DYurWcEAjr0 Set in the picturesque Minnesota countryside, Big Stone Miniature Golf is a whimsical blend…