The touch-screen innovator’s new products meet international interest and demand

Many novelties were to be discovered at funworld’s IMA and ATEI trade fair stands this year. For the first time the producer of games systems, famous for their PHOTO PLAY terminals, presented themselves as a multi-product company complete with new products and design. In the process the two youngest business segments  –  BET.solutions and fun|select – were able to attract much attention for themselves and PHOTO PLAY, funworld’s core brand, too proved a magnet for many visitors with its attractive games innovations. 

“Both fairs were a tremendous success for us and the results surpassed our expectations by far. The markedly good performance during both international fairs confirmed that our move to position ourselves as a multi-product enterprise was right. Compared to last year we were able to increase direct sales by 25% at both fairs, not to mention the very satisfactory follow-up sales”, said Josef Öhlinger, funworld ag’s CEO with obvious pleasure.

funworld’s trade fair highlights
PHOTO PLAY emphasized their System Update 2008 with its twelve new games, reworked graphics and numerous menu guidance novelties. “Pengu Flip”, the most popular net.game to date, and “Kick the Fish”, game of the year 2008, once again fascinated the audience.

“The new contents management system, which we presented in the frame of our ‘Server Based Gaming’ strategy, was a première at both fairs. The system allows us to meet individual markets’ needs ONLINE. Instead of launching twelve or more games in the scope of one update, we transmit new games and features on a continued basis. The 2nd edition of ‘Pengu Flip’ will soon be available to our online-clients”, emphasizes funworld ag’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Norbert Langer.

The option of having up to FOUR players linked online to play for credits simultaneously was received with amazement. With this development, funworld once again proves its innovative capability while at the same time underlining the uniqueness of PHOTO PLAY. 
The new Multiplayer Cup, which allows players from all over the world to challenge each other live in tournaments, too impressed the many trade fair participants. A new raking list in the multiplayer section makes this possible. “This unique extension allows multi-player meetings to be integrated in the successful PHOTO PLAY Masters tournament-system for the first time. Once it was activated on the online terminals, it didn’t take long for PHOTO PLAY’s player community to enthusiastically embrace this new option”, so Langer.

BET.solutions
The company’s new division, BET-solutions, provides the complete infrastructure required for sports betting operations. Above all, it was the innovative betting terminal, ‘touch2win II’, which convinced trade fair visitors. The terminal gained special attention for its diverse betting portfolio and its ergonomic design with new double monitor unit. 

fun|select
Under its new brand, fun|select, funworld presented two products that score with a simple gaming concept and a high fun factor. ‘Stacker’ amazed the public as a motivating game of skill complete with winning option. “Stacker is an absolute must for every operator who already works with crane grip machines. Our test results show that turnover made with ‘Stacker’ markedly outstrips that of the classic crane grip automat”, explained Langer. funworld will take over the sole distribution of Stacker from LAI Games in almost all of Europe.

Another eye-catcher at the fair was the entertaining ‘Music-Changer’, which not only changes money but also plays music besides throwing out many a motivating surprise. With this tried and tested games concept, funworld rounds off its well-developed product range that guarantees high takings.

“We are more than pleased with our appearance at the two first fairs in 2008. They were a strong motivation, which spurs us on to even higher performance at the coming fairs.  We are glad to accept this challenge because we regard the very pleasing results as interim and wish to cultivate them in the future”, sums up Öhlinger.

As the companies have informed, after six months of negotiation a co-operation will begin in the range of producing parts for Kidmann and distribution of Tecway's products in Poland and its neighbouring countries.

The Taiwanese Tecway Development (along with MecPower Electronics) is the leading producer of a wide range of amusement machines, from carousels and bumper cars to the newest inventions like f. ex. interactive kiddie rides equipped with LCD screens.

Tecway's factories in Taiwan and Guandong (Kanton, Hong Kong) in China take 20.000 sq metres of area overall.
In the IV quarter of 2007 Tecway began building a new factory of around 2500sq metres which will be used to produce parts for Kidmann. Laminate parts and steel constructions will be made there.

Kidmann's and Tecway's co-operation and their sharing of technical and trade "know-how" will result in enhancing both companies innovativeness. A novelty machine park (digital milling machines), Tecways qualified staff coupled with European quality control is supposed to guarantee not only maintain but also increase the quality of the products.

A new series of power/skill Kidmann's products has been created under the brand of HOT SHOT. The first in the Hot Shot product range are three typese of basketball (Classic, LCD, Mini), Mini Bowling and Hammer.

Kidmann has also become the exclusive distributor of Tecway's products in Poland and select neighbouring countries.

Kidmann has announced a price cut for their products during the 2008 summer season.

Meeting planners, party suppliers, and event locations can now add the fun, spontaneous experience of a photobooth to parties, gatherings, and corporate events of any size
 
Fantasy Entertainment, the largest owner/operator of electronic self-service photo imaging systems in North America, has announced immediate availability of its “Vintage” photobooth -  the first in a new line of photo booths designed exclusively with the specific needs of the special events and meetings industry in mind. This new product will be introduced and on display at “The Special Event” Conference and Tradeshow in Atlanta, GA from January 16-18, 2008.

“Our Vintage photobooth represents a new and profitable service offering that makes photobooth fun an ideal addition to any special event or occasion – corporate events, weddings, graduations, bar mitzvahs, and birthday parties,” says Casey Cammann, Fantasy Entertainment’s Vice President of Business Development.

According to Cammann, the concept of the photobooth as a rental item is being reconsidered now that the right combination of product, price, and features is available. “Our Vintage booth has been designed with a nostalgic look and feel that will be a big hit with guests while delivering a unique photo memento. Also, its unique modular collapsible design reduces transportation costs and shortens setup and teardown time for operators.”

In addition, Fantasy Entertainment will make selections from its extensive graphics library available to be customized through an exclusive web-based graphics editor. “Now, customers will be able to personalize our Foto Fun® Strips themselves for every special event,” says Cammann. “They can select stock graphics from our library based on the event theme, and even upload their own business logo if they choose. Then, add personalized text and download their custom graphics to a USB flash memory drive for easy importing into our photobooth.”

“The wedding industry is an especially exciting market,” says Cammann. “Not only do wedding guests enjoy the fun, spontaneous photobooth experience, but the resulting photos can be used by booth operators to create unique, value-added items like photo albums for the wedding couple, as well as scrapbooks, digital slideshows, and photo party favors to commemorate the occasion.”

Namco Europe launches Kiddie Rides Division with Chris Bell as General Manager

Namco Europe has completed a major strategic business development with the formation of a dedicated Kiddie Rides Division. The Division, which will be inaugurated at ATEI, is being headed-up by well known kiddie ride expert Chris Bell who has been appointed to the post of General Manager. Chris, who has 25 years experience in the industry, 20 of which gained in the Kiddie Ride sector, reports directly to Namco Europe Managing Director John McKenzie.

“Our Kiddie Rides division is an important strategic addition to the overall Namco Europe business offering,” stated John McKenzie. “Our aim is to provide operators with the broadest range of high earning fun-based family equipment and Kiddie Rides are an integral part of that philosophy.” He continued: “Chris Bell represents a great appointment with his professionalism, breadth of excellent contacts and encyclopaedic knowledge of the sector. Bringing Chris on board is a clear sign of our intent to take the new division forward.”

Reflecting on his new role, Chris Bell said: “Working for a company of such standing and substance in the product sector that is closest to my heart represents a wonderful opportunity. I spent over two decades working in the Kiddie Rides business and to be involved in the start-up of a new division is fantastic. ATEI can’t come fast enough and I look forward to meeting up with colleagues and clients in London.”

The Kiddie Rides Division of Namco Europe will be showing a range of licensed and non-licensed kiddie rides from stand U2340/34 at ATEI.

Merit Entertainment is proud to announce its new, market-expanding partnership with European distributor Avranches Automatic. The companies have teamed up to serve the French market for years and now seek to extend their reach throughout Europe and into North Africa.

Avranches Automatic’s expert knowledge of the amusement industry, experience with Merit products, and solid export contacts will allow Merit to make its games easily accessible to an expanding global market

“We have been representing Merit in France for many years, and I am very glad to be given a chance to collaborate more closely on such a great product line,” said Murielle Lavole of Avranches. “I’m very enthusiastic about this partnership.”

Merit’s customers will benefit from this new partnership with stronger service and support, as products will ship directly from Europe, allowing operators to get their machines into locations more quickly

“I’m excited about this project,” said Javier Lanfranchi, Merit’s Director of International Sales.  “Merit has been working with Avranches for many years. We both know that we can deliver a great product and give excellent support to many markets, which for logistic or timing reasons, could not access our products directly from the United States.”

For 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 touch-screen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment is the worldwide leader in touch-screen 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.