The jukebox company AMI Entertainment just announced a contest to win the 30th anniversary deluxe box set for Keith Richards’ debut solo album, Talk is Cheap. It’s a six-disc box set that includes six unreleased bonus tracks, an 80-page hardcover book and other memorabilia. The original album first released in 1988 and AMI calls the new set “a must-have for any classic rock collection.” Fans can enter using the AMI Music app, available on iOS and Android. Contest entry ends April 24. For more information, visit www.amientertainment.com.
Author: Matt Harding
The world’s first VR Arena from developer Virtuix was installed March 7 at Pinballz in Austin, Texas, and the company reports a whopping $30,000 in revenue during its first month in operation. “VR Arena has exceeded our expectations,” said Darren Spohn, owner of Pinballz, in a press release. “Guests are loving the experience, and we see strong repeat play. Thanks to the eSports prize competitions, we’re able to attract a new audience of games and entice guests to play again and again. Virtuix, with its partner Funovation, says that the new VR attraction garnered 2,200 plays with a repeat play rate of…
So, Virtuix’s VR Arena made $30,000 in its first month installed at Pinballz, but how? It’s not because of high throughput, Funovation says, instead it’s all because of utilization, efficiency and pricing. A recent press release by the company, which works with Virtuix on their installs, lists those three as the pillars for operational success. VR Arena can be operated by one attendant at a throughput of 20 players per hour, they say. “Would a throughput of 30 or even 40 players per hour have increased revenues?” Funovation asks. “The surprising answer is no.” It’s more so about keeping it occupied, avoiding…
The global association for the attractions industry hosted its annual IAAPA U.S. Advocacy Days April 8-9 in Washington, D.C., with 38 industry leaders meeting representatives from 66 key congressional offices to discuss the industry’s legislative priorities and regulatory issues. Some of the key items discussed with the representatives were amusement ride safety and IAAPA’s support of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The groups met with representatives from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Utah. To learn more about IAAPA’s priorities, head to their U.S. Government Relations page or…
The first location outside of Texas for Cinergy Entertainment has officially opened in Tulsa, Okla. with bowling, an arcade, a movie theater and more. A 62,000-sq.-ft. facility, Cinergy Tulsa has 14 lanes of bowling, a 90-game arcade with virtual reality offerings, Oklahoma’s first all-dine-in cinema, escape room experiences, as well as a full menu and bar, according to the Tulsa World. (By the way, Shaffer Distributing worked with the chain on the game room.) Cinergy has four Texas locations in Amarillo, Copperas Cove, Midland and Odessa, and its CEO Jeff Benson is known as a pioneer in the cinema entertainment…
The latest DC Comics film Shazam hit U.K. cinemas recently and Bandai Namco Amusement Europe debuted plush prizes at a three-day London funfair last month. As has often been reported, merchandise tied into movie releases can really draw players. “DC Comics plush is very collectible and players will be looking out for this latest addition,” said Darrell Simmonds, EMEA sales manager for Bandai Namco. “If you have stocked our retail-quality plush characters before, this is an essential purchase in preparation for the Easter holidays and beyond.” Zachary Levi, who plays the film’s title character, held a plush toy in his…
According to NPR, new data has shown that the dollar bill lasts, on average, lots longer than the three years or so that proponents of the dollar coin originally thought. This is partially because so many financial transactions these days are done with credit cards, etc. rather than cash. The leadership in this industry, along with some others who thought an actively-utilized dollar coin would stimulatethe bottom line, spent a lot of time and energy lobbying Congress to boost the tiny titan over the years. Alas, a dollar coin just never caught on with the public, and this latest news about a longer…
The 48th Foundations Entertainment University was held March 24-25 in conjunction with the Amusement Expo in Las Vegas, offering a workshop on all aspects of operating a location-based entertainment business. There were 92 attendees at the event, the largest-ever group at Foundations, according to co-founder Frank Seninsky. A YouTube video where attendees talk about their experience with the seminars includes that of Chad Register (Adrenaline Entertainment Centers), who said, “It’s a no-brainer – you have to come to Foundations.” The next one will be held July 16-18 in Chicago. Visit www.foundationsuniversity.com or email Frank at [email protected] for more information about…
Worried about a mini-golfer getting a little over zealous (and destructive) with his putter? Adventure Golf Services is introducing its AGS Soft Putter after three years of research and development, the company says. The mini-golf putter has a newly-designed head made to minimize damage caused by rough play or vandalism. It features a softer rubber head, a fiberglass shaft, four standard sizes (27”/29”/32”/35”) and four different head and grip colors: red, blue, green and purple. “The AGS Soft Putter is one of many innovations to expand our product line and better serve the industry,” said company president Scott Lundmark. “Other…
Thieves in North Ireland used excavation equipment to remove an ATM from a wall in a gas station out of Dungiven on April 7. The theft, which was captured on surveillance video, lasted just under four minutes and ended with the machine loaded into a car with its roof partially cut off. According to local reports, the large “digger” was stolen from a nearby construction site. The theft, said police officials, is the work of several gangs operating in the area.