Kick on target with net.game “Football Fever” and attractive championship packages

The football event of the year, the EURO 2008, is just about to get underway. So that locations are not standing on the sidelines during the general football fever, on 12 May 2008 funworld is launching an exciting football game “Football Fever” as a net.game in the PHOTO PLAY NET. In addition, funworld is now offering great European Championship special packages to take players by storm.

“Football Fever” – net.game for the Football European Championship

In May, funworld’s new net.game “Football Fever” will be the perfect appetizer for the European Football Championship (7-29 June 2008 in Austria and Switzerland) for four weeks, generating immense gaming interest and getting players worldwide into a euphoric football frenzy.

PHOTO PLAY players thereby take turns in the striker’s or goalkeeper’s role and attempt to score from the spot. As in a genuine football game, goals must be scored or prevented and mastered round after round to win at the end of the tournament.

“‘Football Fever’ guarantees lots of fun playing and a game experience charged with emotion. The increased enthusiasm for the game surrounding the football European Championship will certainly ensure that the net.game is a success and perhaps even outdo ‘Pengu Flip’, to date the most successful net.game of all time,” says Josef Öhlinger, funworld ag CEO, with great anticipation.

Locations profit from EURO 2008

funworld is offering attractive special packages matched to the Football European Championship, which consist of two PHOTO PLAY terminals and one LCD flat screen TV each. Hence for a special price there are two RACER PROs or two SPRINTER PROs, including SYSTEM 2008 together with a flat screen television. funworld also has inexpensive European Championship packages in the product range with SPIRIT XTREME or SMART PLUS.

Through the LCD flat screen TV PHOTO PLAY players are always on the ball and can follow football games live, however also simultaneously pursue their own passion for playing at the terminals. Locations are hence in turn able to increase the playing frequency of and/or proceeds from the PHOTO PLAY terminals and thus profit from the general football euphoria.

“With the European Championship packages funworld creates the perfect synergy between EURO 2008 and the coin-operated machine entertainment branch so that locations do not get the red card during the European Football Championship, but rather participate in the success of the mega-event and can themselves compete for the coveted title of ‘European Champion’!” emphasises Öhlinger.

Merit Entertainment is proud to announce the release of their latest Sneak Peak Game – Lucky 11’s. This high-voltage romp through the vaults of Las Vegas automatically downloads to all MegaNet-connected Megatouch IONs.

 In Lucky 11’s, the player is challenged to tally casino chips that total 11 and clear the board as quickly as they can. The stunning graphics and fast-paced game play are sure to make it another Megatouch sensation. Sneak Peek Games like Photo Pop and Beer Pong 21 have been proven earnings boosters, so operators can bet on Lucky 11’s to give them the same great results.

Sneak Peek Games are free to all MegaNet-connected IONs (including the Aurora). Merit reminds operators that MegaNet itself is free for any broadband-connected Megatouch linked to an AMI jukebox.

"With the advantage of Sneak Peek Games, MegaNet operators always have the freshest content," said Colin Higbie, Merit's Director of Marketing. "Megatouch IONs already out-earn the competition. Sneak Peaks push earnings even higher on connected machines by automatically downloading the hottest new games months before anyone else get them. We strongly encourage all Megatouch operators get connected so they can stay ahead of the competition by offering more to their players and increasing their earnings.”

 
For over 30 years, Merit has ensured long-term return on investment for operators by providing continually high-earning equipment along with updates and upgrades for its products. With an installed base of over 250,000 touchscreen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment is the worldwide leader in touchscreen entertainment devices. Merit Entertainment products appear globally in a wide array of venues and appeal to an almost limitless demographic. Merit continues to expand its position in the industry with ever-increasing entertainment, content, and new games. The company maintains a Web site with all the latest information at www.meritgames.com.

The simple game principle motivates players and makes its locations successful

Stacker is an attention-grabbing skill game, which involves players having to stack moving blocks on top of one another on a large, electronic display. Depending upon skill, the player succeeds in reaching the first or second prize level. If they make it to the first level they can either accept the “minor prize” they have already won or risk it to continue playing for the second level’s desired “major prize”.

The striking animated light show and the simple, Tetris-like game principle are Stacker’s guarantees for success, as Josef Öhlinger, CEO of funworld ag explains: “The appealing animated light show especially attracts the ‘Tetris Generation’ and mobilises them to play. The simple game principle increases their ambition and motivates them to continue playing. It is thereby about the fun in playing and the demonstration of skill.”

Two versions: Stacker Club & Stacker Giant
There are two models of Stacker available: The smaller “Stacker Club” version and a larger “Stacker Giant” version.

Stacker Club weighs 163 kg and measures H 2000 x W 730 x D 770. The power supply is 220 Volt, 1.4 A, 50-60 Hz and the power input is 150 Watt.

Stacker Giant weighs 435 kg and measures H 2330 x W 1900 x D 1040. The power supply is the same as Stacker Club (220 Volt, 1.4 A, 50-60 Hz) and the power input is 470 Watt.

funworld assumes general distribution of Stacker in nearly all of Europe
Stacker – the original – is manufactured by the Australian company LAI Games, which has already sold 10,000 Stackers. With the exception of Spain, Belgium and Great Britain funworld has assumed exclusive distribution for LAI Games in all of Europe.

So Europe’s market leader in the touchscreen business is entering into a close collaboration with a very strong partner. LAI Games is the world’s market leader for coin-operated entertainment machines and one of the branch’s most distinguished companies in the manufacture of merchandising game machines.

“Stacker – the original – is already doing quite well internationally and enjoying brisk sales. Recipients are above all owners of high traffic locations such as cinema centres, bowling centres, amusement arcades or large motorway service areas,” emphasises Öhlinger and continues:

“Stacker is the optimum successor for any location already working with crane grabber machines, and an absolute ‘must have’. Our previous test results proved impressively that Stacker clearly surpasses the classic crane grabber machines in revenue.”

fun|select
Stacker, in addition to Music-Changer, is the second new trade product of the newly-formed unit fun|select which makes funworld a multiple product company together with the key brand PHOTO PLAY and the other product brands, Touch Toy and BET-solutions. A selection of successful products is offered under fun|select, providing approved game concepts which guarantee a strong turnover.

“Entertainment qualities have always been the heart of our business and also distinguish the new fun|select products. It is thereby the dynamics of the simple game idea in particular that inspires and motivates players. With the new, high-revenue products fun|select is offering a very promising dimension, which convinces players as well as locations and reinforces funworld as a profitable partner,” according to Öhlinger.

The 14th edition of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Show (DEAL 2008), taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre April 20-22, 2008, will break all records on previous editions, with exhibitor numbers already up by 20%.

Some 200 companies from around the world will converge on Dubai this month to exhibit the very latest in entertainment and amusement products. Rides, games and play equipment; water facilities; audiovisual and theatre equipment; and decorations will all be showcased at the DEAL exhibition.
The Middle East is considered one of the most dynamic leisure markets worldwide, with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) tipping regional growth in leisure and tourism projects to reach US$3 trillion over the next 20 years.
“With regional projects such as Dubailand, the Aquaventure waterpark at The Palm’s Atlantis, and a Universal City all planned or under development, regional growth in entertainment and leisure is set to skyrocket,” said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President of show organisers International Expo Consults (IEC).
“Ensuring that the Middle East remains innovative in its amusements offering is the cornerstone of DEAL’s philosophy. The show promises to bring an even greater number of exhibitors to Dubai this year, each of whom will bring something new and unique to the market. For owners and developers of theme parks and leisure facilities DEAL is a ‘must visit’ show,” he added.

Entertainment and leisure growth is abundant across the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is set to open a Ferrari World and Warner Brothers theme park, while Ras Al Khaimah and Qatar are both working on mammoth entertainment projects.
Last year’s DEAL exhibition saw over one million dollars worth of contracts signed during the show. Falaknaz is confident that this record will be beaten once again with DEAL 2008.
“We are expecting a much larger visitor turnout based on the enormous growth in the industry. Simultaneously, more business will be done on the show floor and we anticipate major ‘deals’ being signed,” he remarked.
Major exhibitor categories will be Amusement Parks, Theme Park Design, Coin Operated Machines, and Inflatables. Ice Skating will also make its appearance as a new category for 2008, following on the success of indoor ice and snow facilities such as Ski Dubai.
Inflatables specialists ProFab is exhibiting at DEAL for the first time, as the European company looks to enter the fast growing Middle East market.
“The DEAL 2008 show provides an ideal opportunity for presenting our products and services to an entirely different and potentially wider market,” said Christopher Allen, Export Manager, ProFab.
“Clearly, the Middle-East represents a huge market that we have only just started to fully realise. We believe that over the next few years we will see very significant developments within the inflatables industry in the Middle-East and it is essential that we remain aware of the potential growth factors that are going to be apparent and maintain a high profile by attending such exhibitions,” he added.

Technology is another big growth area for DEAL 2008.
“The Middle East is the next big growth market for Embed and we are expecting to be a very important part of our business in the next few years,” confirmed Adam Steinberg, managing director of Embed, a company specialising in Point of Sale technology.
“The development of entertainment and leisure facilities in the Middle East is occurring at an incredible pace and the quality of these developments is very high. Our customers in this region are very discerning and are looking for the best quality products and services to facilitate this development which is why we feel Embed has a great place in this market,” he added.
DEAL 2008 will welcome some 200 exhibitors, all showcasing the very latest in entertainment, amusement and leisure products. DEAL takes place from April 20-22 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition is open to trade only and admission is free.
DEAL shows have the support of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the premier international trade association representing permanently situated amusement facilities and the manufacturers and suppliers that serve them globally.
DEAL is also supported by the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, including Association Fabricantes Y Exp. Maquinas de la Foia de Bunyol, Associazone Nazionale Costruttori Attrezzature, Spettcoli Viaggianti; Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the UK; American Amusement Manufacturers Assocation); International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment; India Association of Amusement Parks & Industries; and the World Waterpark Association.

Merit Entertainment is pleased to announce the release of its 2008.5 software for ION and Force platforms. This upgrade includes two former Sneak Peek games plus new and enhanced content to refresh the ever-popular trivia and photo games. For MegaNet-connected machines, there will be 4 additional Sneak Peek games arriving in the coming months. There are also several “under the hood” improvements contained in this release.

The 2008 Sneak Peek games Beer Pong 21 and Luxor 2 are now available for the first time to everyone with this software release. In Beer Pong 21, players test their skill and accuracy while clearing 21 Beer Pong cups before time runs out. Fast-paced game play and stunning graphics are sure to make it another Megatouch crowd-pleaser.
Luxor 2 takes players on a mystical journey through ancient Egypt. The non-stop action, killer power-ups, and hundreds of gorgeous levels will draw players in huge numbers, resulting in a booming cashbox for operators.
The next round of Sneak Peek games for MegaNet-connected operators kicks off in the coming months with the Vegas chip-counting game Lucky 11’s. The solitaire-inspired card game Spider Kings and its symbol version 13 Spiders will follow soon after. Chainz 2 Puzzler, a tricky and challenging twist on a Megatouch favorite rounds out the roster.
Additionally, 22 classic Megatouch games such as Trivia Whiz, Photo Hunt, and Hollywood Match have been updated with fresh questions, puzzles and photos. MegaNet operators will also continue to receive regularly updated new images for Penthouse-branded games.

Enhanced system features on the 2008.5 software include improved clip art scaling on operator advertising screens, eye-popping Luxor 2 graphics on machines utilizing an ION Turbo Boost Kit (free with all 2008 machines), and complete access to AMI’s full music catalog on all IONs.