Industry veteran Barry Zelickson, who sold his Big Thrill Factory in 2021, is back with Next Exit Entertainment, which recently launched Fun Across America, a YouTube channel featuring must-see spots for fun, attractions and food. Their first video showcased Pat Ciniello’s Headpinz. Hosted by Nate Reinhart, Fun Across America will soon feature Fun Spot, Thr3 Jack, Spin, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, IAAPA and Give Kids The World Village, Extreme Sandbox, Ignite Esports Lounge, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and many more. Zelickson said he started the channel as a way to stay active and relevant in the industry. “I…
Author: Matt Harding
Fast & Furious Arcade from Raw Thrills will be at the Betson booth #615 at the upcoming trade show in Orlando. The distributor will be bringing the brand-new officially-licensed racing game to IAAPA along with other Raw Thrills favorites, like the card-collecting game Minecraft Dungeons Arcade and the cinematic King Kong of Skull Island VR. Click here to learn more or visit www.betson.com for additional information. Betson also invites you to join them in supporting Give Kids The World Village during the Footprints From the Heart 5K Fun Run and 1-Mile Walk. Click here for more info on making a…
Opening any day now in Schenectady, N.Y., is Unbeetable, an arcade bar and restaurant featuring vegan fare. According to the Times Union, there will be Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat and other retro games, along with air hockey, cornhole and board games. There’s also a crane holding gift certificates to other local businesses as the prizes. Owner Chelsea Heilmann is also the proprietor behind nearby Take Two Café, a plant-based breakfast and lunch spot she opened in May 2021. Click here to see more about them on Facebook.
Belt Entertainment Center in St. Joseph, Mo., held their ninth annual Strike Out Cancer event on Oct. 23, raising funds for and bringing awareness to cancer research. Event organizer Kitty Karr told the St. Joseph News-Press she was inspired to start the event after seeing her own loved ones struggle with cancer. “I started it after my mom had breast cancer and I had a good friend who died of brain cancer, so one night I just decided I wanted to do something to help the community and help fight all cancer, so I decided to start a bowling event.”…
At this month’s celebration of the Atari’s 50th anniversary, RePlay ran into former Atari and Namco exec Kevin Hayes and his wife Anne. Kevin wanted to share that he and others visited the grave of Masaya Nakamura, founder of Namco, back in October of 2019. The grave is at a temple in suburban Tokyo. Wrote Kevin: “Anne and I, and Mike Nevin (also formerly of Atari and Namco) were in Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Photos were taken at the tail end of Typhoon Hagibis, one of the biggest hurricanes to ever hit Japan, hence the umbrellas and…
Drone Racing Genesis will make its debut in the coming weeks at IAAPA Expo. Sega Amusements will be showing that and other new products in their booth #1010. “We’ve seen drones rapidly become part of our society, initially for aerial photography but most excitingly it has spawned a huge global following for drone racing and esports – currently one of the fastest-growing sports and a worldwide phenomenon,” said Sega CEO Paul Williams. “Our game, Drone Racing Genesis, captures this exhilarating spirit of drone racing and brings it to indoor locations such as arcades and FECs for the first time. It…
Laserforce will be in booth #2878 at IAAPA Expo promoting what they say is the world’s first redemption laser tag experience. “Offering your players a rewarding experience that can be turned into real prizes in your arcade redemption is the laser tag feature you’ve been waiting for,” the company said. Click here to book a one-on-one meeting with the company during the show or visit www.laserforcetag.com for more information.
Elaut Group USA has hired Jeff Peveler to head its North American sales division. The industry veteran will start the job Nov. 1. “We are extremely fortunate to have a person of Jeff’s caliber join our sales team,” said EVP of sales Tony Maniscalco. “Jeff’s vast industry experience in sales and operations will be invaluable to our future success.” “We are excited to have Jeff on board just in time for the IAAPA show,” added CEO and president Trevor Gianaris. “Jeff’s work ethic and leadership will be helpful in making our exhibit a success.” Peveler’s coin-op career includes stints with…
As you read the name, “Walter Day,” you’re likely recalling the image of the man in his trademark referee shirt. For those who don’t know him, Walter Day ran the Twin Galaxies arcade in Ottumwa, Iowa, and from there, an amazing life’s passion unfolded. As of Sept. 16, there’s another feather in Day’s cap thanks to the editors of the Guinness Book of World Records. He’s been officially recognized as the “Father of Esports” and was presented with a certificate proclaiming that to be so at the book’s international HQ in London by editor-in-chief Craig Glenday. The award reads: “Walter Day…
IAAPA is holding an online FEC/LBE preview for its members today, Oct. 26, from 1-2 p.m. Eastern. The event is free for members and $49 for non-members. The FEC/LBE preview of this year’s IAAPA Expo will be led by IAAPA’s FEC Committee Chair Brandon Willey along with a guest panel. “Between the trade show floor, 100-plus educational opportunities and ticketed events, attending IAAPA Expo can be overwhelming,” organizers wrote. “Get the inside track from members of the team that assist in organizing FEC/LBE content at IAAPA Expo. The panel will cover ticketed events that will enhance your IAAPA experience like…