Creative Works hosted their first-ever hybrid format Amusement 360 event, with 60 people attending in Indianapolis and hundreds more tuned in virtually. Over the three-day event, held Aug. 24-26, 19 industry experts shared their knowledge with attendees during 20 education sessions. The two tracks focused on existing entertainment facilities and startups. “In the day-to-day work of running your business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of ‘why’ you’re in the business you’re in,” said in-person attendee Jay Mrozek. “Amusement 360 is an opportunity to learn, engage and rediscover your passion and your ‘why.’ You leave excited to get…
Author: Matt Harding
There’s a popular Italian restaurant near Disneyland in Anaheim, California called Mama Cozza’s that’s famous for its walls that are covered with hundreds of framed photographs of celebrities, members past and present of the Angels baseball club and good friends of the Cozza family. One such friend was Southern California’s “Jack of all coin-op trades” George Duensing. George passed away on Oct. 1, 2019. To honor his memory, his wife Carol held a combination memorial/picture hanging event on Aug. 29 during which members of his family, as well as old friends from the coin machine business, swapped yarns about their…
Lafayette Lanes in Lafayette, Louisiana, closed in late August after 62 years in business. According to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser, the bowling alley recently posted a farewell message on their Facebook page. “Lafayette Lanes staff and ownership has shared in such great joy and family fun with so many,” the post said. “Our dedicated League Bowlers – some of them who still bowled with us since we have been open – YOU ARE APPRECIATED.” Hundreds of well-wishers commented on and shared the post, including their own memories of the bowling alley.
Universal Studios recently announced its first theme park in China – located in the capital Beijing – will open on Sept. 20. According to the Associated Press, the venue has been under construction since 2016 and includes an extension from one of the city’s main subway lines to the site. There are not only rides featuring Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Kung Fun Panda and other film franchises, but shows, restaurants, exhibits, hotels and more. Universal has two other Asian parks in Japan and Singapore.
Video game manufacturer exA-Arcadia has joined forces with SNK Corporation to bring the long-lost Samurai Shodown V Perfect to arcades. Samurai Shodown is a series of weapon-based fighting games that began on the Neo Geo MVS system in 1993. “Its unique cast of characters and distinctly Japanese worldview saw it gain a global fan base that remains strong to this day,” the company said. “Samurai Shodown V Perfect, a ‘director’s cut’ of V Special and the 10th game in the series, was due an arcade release that never happened and thus came to be known as the fabled final Neo…
Triotech recently released a new adventure for the Storm interactive VR coin-op simulator. The new film is called Sugary Slope. It’s available free of charge for all existing and future units – part of Triotech’s strategy to expand its content library as it did for the longtime coin-op simulator Typhoon. “Our focus has always been creating fun for all ages,” said Ernest Yale, President and CEO of Triotech. “We’re developing a content library with a wide appeal just like we did for our other attractions, because that’s what increases revenues for our operators. I can already tell you that even more…
Funovation recently announced that it added Escape Theory to its portfolio of small footprint attractions. According to the company, Escape Theory offers three turnkey rooms – Secrets of the Pharaohs, Wizard’s Tower and Murder in London; a fourth escape experience and multiple mini escapes are being unveiled soon. “Escape Theory brings theme park quality experiences to local entertainment centers,” Funovation touts. “Each room features hand-crafted industry leading puzzle designs combined with an unmatched level of immersive storylines.” Each experience can be customized to the design of your space and desired level of difficulty, or operators can select a pre-selected turnkey…
AMI Entertainment’s latest contest, which is open through Sept. 8, will give fans a chance to win an Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 guitar signed by singer-songwriter Jesse Malin. Malin will be kicking off a European tour on Sept. 27 to support his latest album, Sad and Beautiful World – the first double album of his career, which will be released on Sept. 24. Music fans can enter via the AMI Music app, available on iOS and Android, or on any participating AMI jukebox. Learn more at www.amientertainment.com.
Intercard recently installed another system for Zap Zone at its FEC in Farmington, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. According to the company, this is the eighth Zap Zone center to make the switch to Intercard. The Zap Zone chain’s attractions include a huge redemption arcade, laser tag, Glo-Golf, bumper cars and more. Below, from left to right upon completion of the recent installation, are Zap Zone tech Brian, Intercard installer Josh Colby, Zap Zone’s owner and manager Ghelan Ismail and Zap Zone techs Matt and Mish. Learn more at www.intercardinc.com.
Mahall’s, a bowling alley in Lakewood, Ohio, is the latest venue in the northeast part of the state to announce a proof of vaccination or negative Covid test policy for all customers, according to WOIO. They are one of many locations around the nation to do so in recent weeks as virus cases increase. Like many others, they’ll require either the vaccination card itself or a photo of it, or a negative coronavirus test that was taken within 48 hours from the time of entry. The bowling alley is also a performance venue. They released a statement on Facebook about…