2015 was the best on record for laser tag system maker Laserforce, with over 60 high-end laser tag projects completed. The firm reported that this was the most business it’s seen in its 28-year history, with operators from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia installing Laserforce equipment in everything from stand-alone laser tag locations to massive entertainment centers. “I believe our stellar company performance is a testament to our robust laser tag equipment and the best team in the industry,” said Len Kelly, company founder and owner of what he boasts is the world’s longest-running laser tag site (in Brisbane,…

TouchTunes began a new March promotion covering the well-known British group Duran Duran. The band, a big player in the 1980s’ “Second British Invasion,” recently released its 14th album (Paper Gods). It includes their first top-10 success since 1993’s self-titled release: Pressure Off. The single entered the Billboard 200 at number ten and includes vocals from R&B/soul singer Janelle Monáe. The band has sold over 70 million records since the 1980s. Check your local TouchTunes jukebox for promo screens and more information, or visit www.duranduran.com and www.touchtunes.com.

RePlay has learned that Barron Games has negotiated an exclusive deal to distribute the quick-playing ticket redemption game called Timberman in the U.S. The company said it “couldn’t resist the allure of this particularly entertaining, adapted mobile game” that European company MagicPlay originally brought stateside in an arcade cabinet. The piece, which debuted at last year’s IAAPA, is adapted from Digital Melody Games’ app which Barron said turned into a bit of a craze, with over 30,000,000 people downloading it and thousands of dollars made through in-app purchases. In Timberman, the player must control a burly, bearded woodchopper who whacks…

The International Pizza Expo is being hosted in the coming weeks (March 7-10) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and time is running out for prospective attendees to register at a lower price. After March 6, the price will rise from $200 to $230. The show offers over 90 educational seminars covering a wide ranging breadth of topics that are important to those in the pizza world. It will offer a floor packed with the newest innovations in technology and all sorts of trending new ideas. With more than 1,100 booths and 450 food and beverage exhibitors under one roof,…

A dedicated fan of the arcade classic Mortal Kombat recently discovered a secret menu hidden within the game that allows players to manipulate high scores, view the endings for characters and play a brutal, Galaga-like mini-game. The EJB Menu — named and created by programmer and co-creator of the series, Edward. J. Boon — is accessed by pressing the player one and player two “start” buttons on Mortal Kombat one, two or three.  The code is entered in rapid succession as follows: P1 (x5), P2 (x10), P1 (x2), P2 (x1), P1 (x2), P2 (x3), P1 (x4). Entering this also gives…

Sega and Firestone Financial have teamed up to bring a multi-title finance program to interested customers who are looking to purchase new machines. “The Fantastic Five Finance Program,” beginning March 1 and ending June 30, allows customers to finance their purchase of any of these five different titles Sega has recently released: Mario and Sonic at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Luigi’s Mansion Two-Player Theatre, Magician’s Wheel, Sonic Blastball and Sonic Dash Extreme. The program offers three different financing options, all of which include an attractive $0.00 due at the time of purchase. For customers looking to pay the loan…

Maximizing Game Room Revenue “How to Do It Right and Make More Money!” –– Part Two by Frank Seninsky, President/CEO Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM) & Alpha-Omega Amusements & Sales [Editor’s note: In Part One, published in RePlay’s February 2016 issue, Frank covered “Cluster Theory,” “Dynamic Cluster Theory’s Additional Dimension,” “How to Direct Traffic in Your Facility – Use an Open, Free-Flor Floor Plan,” and “High Ceilings Are Your Friend.” For a first-time read or a refresher, that column is available online at: www.replaymag.com/current_issue/frank.html.] In the hundreds of industry seminars that I have taught, and more than 1,500 articles I have…

Being the Best in the New Year Steps to Take Right Now to Make It Happen By Beth Standlee, CEO, TrainerTainment I believe that most people in this business mean to make a difference. While we aren’t saving the world from war or hunger, we are creating a space and a place for families, friends, companies and more to come together for a little fun. When I think about how hard most of us work, I’m convinced that taking time to play is more important with each passing day. I am fortunate enough to participate on a daily basis with the…

Shift to FEC Focus Continues The Redemption Side of the Industry’s Coin Still Growing By George McAuliffe, Chief FEC Strategist, Redemption Plus It’s always been a tale of two “industries.” Although many of us use the term “coin-op industry,” it depends on where you come from –– street or arcade –– as to which business model is under discussion. Since the stand-alone arcade is largely dead, that sector is now better known as the family entertainment center or in its shorthand, the FEC. There have always been differences between the street and FEC business models. The street/route business is known…

Color Sets the Mood How Picking the Right Hue Can Enhance the “Clean, Safe & Fun” Vibe by Howard McAuliffe, Partner, Global Product Services and piaproducts.com How can we expand our industry? That’s the million-dollar question, but in short, it’s hard to answer. I do believe by focusing on trends both inside, and maybe more importantly, outside our industry, we can learn more about what consumers want. That’s what this column is going to be about and for this inaugural “Now Trending,” let’s examine the importance of color trends. In February, I attended a presentation on color trends for 2016/2017…