Let’s go shoot some pool,” followed by “let’s go throw some darts,” are two phrases frequently heard in conversations among young and older men and women these days. They’re mostly talking about our 6-pocket tables and our dart boards and, if we need any further proof than the cash box, games which are not just part of the economy but of American culture as well. As an avid observer of this industry and its products for nearly sixty years, I’ve seen a good number of machines come along, serve their time, and then leave the coin-op stage to the few…
Author: RePlay Editor
C.J. Barrymore’s Michigan Institution for 50 Years Revamps with New Indy SkyTrack by Matt Harding C.J. Barrymore’s – the “Daytime, Nighttime, Goodtime Place” – has spent their 2024 season celebrating 50 years in business, and it sure has been an interesting half-century. Founded by operator and current co-owner Rick Iceberg in 1974, the business had humble beginnings as a driving range for local golfers. In the 1980s, they built a bar on site, added go-karts, got into the nightclub biz and even added additional locations over a 10-year period. By the early 1990s, they decided to shift once again, this…
Welcome Gashapon & More No Cash Value’s Jim Bennington Brings Reimagined Amusements to Michigan Mall Industry veteran Jim Bennington, founder of the entertainment consultancy firm No Cash Value LLC, has been quite busy in the last year bringing a whole new world into the revitalizing Oakland Mall, located in the Detroit suburb of Troy, Mich. The mall’s owner, Mario Kiezi, purchased the expansive 1 million-plus-sq.-ft., 117-acre property along the I-75 corridor in 2022 and has been working from a state level down to startup tenant interest to create a modern mix of “retailtainment”-centric enhancements to this unique indoor complex. “We…
AAMA is planning its first Washington, D.C., lobbying “Fly-In Visit” of 2025 on Feb. 13 and is inviting its membership to sign up. In making the announcement, AAMA’s Pete Gustafson said, “This is your opportunity to be heard by your elected officials and help make a positive difference for you and your industry.” During these “Fly-In” lobbying trips to Capitol Hill, participants can meet directly with those who represent their individual Congressional District and State Senate offices. In those meetings, organized by John Russell and the talented team at the association’s lobbying firm DGA Group, industry members share the challenges…
AAMA proudly announced that John Russell, a member of the DGA Group team representing the association, has been recognized as one of “The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for 2024” in the “Hired Gun” category. “This prestigious honor highlights Russell’s exceptional work in Washington, D.C., advocating for critical issues on behalf of AAMA and the amusement industry,” wrote the association. “His strategic foresight, robust relationships, and deep understanding of the evolving political landscape have been instrumental in advancing AAMA’s government relations efforts, particularly as the nation navigates this period of political transition.” AAMA Government Relations Committee Chairperson Howard McAuliffe said, “This well-deserved…
Jan. 18 marks the final day for Level 1 Arcade Bar in downtown Gilbert, Ariz., according to KTAR. The 1980s skateboard-themed arcade bar opened in December 2019. Owners explained in a notice on Facebook that their five-year lease is up and “several macroeconomic factors have caused us to put a microscope to our operations and determine whether or not we’re reasonably able to continue to serve the community in the best possible manner for another half decade.” That turned out to be “no,” but they’re calling the final day a “To Be Continued” party and expect to reopen a Gilbert…
Digital jukebox maker AMI Entertainment has appointed sales vet Evan Kirby as its regional sales manager for the Midwest region, saying, “Evan’s wealth of experience and industry expertise will further strengthen AMI’s commitment to providing innovative solutions and exceptional support to operators and distributors.” Kirby is a second-generation amusement industry pro with a diverse background that includes roles in sales and account management. His industry journey includes sales management roles at TouchMagix and Andamiro USA, where his duties included working closely with distributors. Most recently, he was the director of North American commercial sales for Stern Pinball, where he worked…
Dave & Buster’s is expanding its international footprint with its first site in India opening next month in Bangalore, reports the San Antonio News-Express. Plans for a second location in the country will follow soon after, with an outpost in Mumbai set to open this spring. Dave & Buster’s said there is a “rising demand for unique dining and entertainment experiences, making it a perfect fit for India’s evolving consumer landscape.” “This is a momentous occasion for Dave & Buster’s,” said Dave and Buster’s Chief International Development Officer Antonio Bautista. “India, with its dynamic culture and growing appetite for premium…
Welcome to 2025, the 50th year RePlay has been in business. It’s not our 50th birthday…that comes in October when the magazine was first incorporated (and when we’ll do a special section on this publication which has dominated my 85 years on earth). The history of the magazine is very much like the history of the industry it has covered in terms of manufacturing (we’ve gone from photo offset to digital while coin-op has traveled from electro-mechanical to solid state electronic games). A long but fascinating journey for both. While our original readership was dominated by route operators who ran…
Sensory Overload Journey Through the Immersive Universes of Meow Wolf & Wink World by Barry Zelickson The entertainment world is no stranger to boundary-pushing innovations, but two immersive art experiences are truly shaking up the industry: Meow Wolf and Wink World. Both attractions invite visitors to leave reality at the door and step into realms that blend art, technology and surrealism into unforgettable journeys. Found in different cities, these two experiences share a visionary approach to immersive storytelling, creating multi-sensory wonderlands that challenge the imagination. Let’s dive into these modern marvels of immersive entertainment. Meow Wolf – Grapevine, TX www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv1NY_gSsHo…