A former Catholic church in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, is now Church Arcade, filled with more than 100 classic arcade games and pinball machines, WTAE reported. One of its managing partners, Michael Hovraluck, said, “Obviously, an arcade is not a place of worship, but it is still a place that people can come and spend time together.” The business opened on Jan. 31. The company’s website, www.thechurcharcade.com, notes that they “preserved most of the original architecture – stained glass, vaulted ceilings and altars – but re-imagined with arcade and pinball machines and lighting, creating a completely unique atmosphere.”
Author: Matt Harding
The National ATM Council recently reported that the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have been responding to ATM jackpotting attacks targeting DMA (Direct Memory Access) of various ATM models and manufacturers by bypassing traditional security controls. This has resulted in significant financial loss and operational disruption, the association said. The group shared a series of mitigation recommendations, which we’ll republish below. Successful mitigation requires a multi-layered strategy and may include the following actions: Update and set strong BIOS passwords (never keep default passwords). Configure BIOS to disable unused ports or expansion slots that provide DMA access (PCIe,…
A kid-friendly entertainment center in Marion, Illinois, will close at the end of March but announced that it will reopen in nearby Mt. Vernon this fall, reported WMIX. The business has been open at the former Illinois Star Centre Mall since 2009. “We are very excited for this new adventure,” the company wrote on Facebook. “We will be working diligently to get this new location up and going as soon as we can. We would like to thank all of the patrons that have come and supported us to help make this possible.” Stay tuned for updates at www.piratepetesfun.com.
IAAPA Expo Middle East will be from March 30-April 2 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. The growing show will feature more than 300 companies showcasing the region’s latest innovations, technologies and solutions. Additionally, there will be more than 120 expert-led education sessions covering key industry trends and insights. “IAAPA Expo Middle East brings together industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across the region and around the world to explore the future of attractions, entertainment and guest experience,” organizers wrote.
Stern Pinball has debuted the trailer for their brand-new Pokémon machine, which was officially announced on Feb. 6. The much-anticipated game made its first public appearance at the NYC Toy Fair, which began Feb. 14 and runs through Feb. 17. It’s also expected at the upcoming Amusement Expo (March 18-19) and the Texas Pinball Festival (March 20-22). “Today we’re proud to finally deliver the long-awaited Pokémon by Stern Pinball machine,” said Seth Davis, president and CEO of Stern Pinball. “This game is a true celebration of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enduring adventure of Pokémon – brought to life in a whole new way through immersive pinball gameplay,…
There are two new, ticketed special events at this year’s Amusement Expo – a networking reception and a breakfast celebrating women in the industry. Following the first day of educational sessions, the Level-Up Lounge Networking Reception will be held March 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Resorts World’s Rose Terrace & Rooftop Foyer. “Join fellow operators, route professionals, manufacturers, and industry leaders for an evening of powerful conversation and new partnerships,” organizers said of the event. “Drinks and generous hors d’oeuvres are included – bring your appetite for business and ideas.” A $67 ticket is required. Second is the “Rise &…
Creative Works and Action Lab Leadership have opened registration for their upcoming Amusement 360 event, taking place April 28-29 in Indianapolis. The program has changed to a 2-day intensive format instead of the previous 2.5-day setup. “We refined the experience to be more focused than ever and help attendees solve the biggest problems they are facing today,” said Danny Gruening, founder of Action Lab Leadership and director of marketing at Creative Works. “We are packing every hour with strategies to help operators grow their businesses and avoid costly mistakes.” The event’s keynote speaker is Clint Pulver, who’s known as a…
Retro Social Freeplay Arcade has opened in Frankfort, Kentucky, with more than 60 vintage arcade games from the 1980s and ’90s, reported the Lexington Herald Leader. For $10 a visit, games like Galaga, BurgerTime and NBA Jam are set to free play. “Nostalgia is very hot these days,” said Kerry Azbill, who co-owns the retro arcade with his wife, Shelby Cardwell. “The whole point here is to entertain both the adults and the families and kids all at the same time.” In addition to the arcades, there are also a row of consoles connected to older CRT TVs that are…
Coinciding with Amusement Expo, from March 16-17, is Foundations Entertainment University. Now in its 25th year, organizers of the intensive two-day industry workshops have released the event’s agenda. Special guest operators include Eric Shirley and Frankie Williams, the owners of High Tides and Good Vibes, a new 40,000-sq.-ft. entertainment venue in North Carolina. They’ll join AEM’s Jerry Merola for an interview on March 17 from 11:10 a.m.-noon. Other speakers and guest companies include Safepark USA, Doug Wilkerson (Dynamic Designs), Thrill Builders, DFX Sound Vision, Venue Industries, QubicaAMF, Frank Price (FL Price), Patch Retention, Sherry Howell (CenterEdge Software), Proctor Companies, Creative…
Following the Super Bowl Halftime Show, TouchTunes reported a 114% jump in the performer Bad Bunny’s plays on their nationwide jukebox network. Immediately following the show, El Paso, Texas, emerged as the top city playing his music, the company reported, while the song “DTMF” was the most-played track. Leading up to the big NFL game, other top cities requesting Bad Bunny on the jukes were Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Tampa-St. Perseburg, Florida. Among other top songs were “Titi Me Pregunto,” “Dakiti” featuring Jhay Cortez, “Mia” featuring Drake, “Yonaguni,” and “Me Porto Bonito” featuring Chencho Corleone. Anytime you’d like…