Jolly Roger's latest new licensed character ride - Underground Ernie - will be shown for the first time at Leisure Preview on the 10th / 11th October in London
This exciting ride can be seen on the Crown Direct stand (Nos. CH14 / CH15) - the recently appointed exclusive UK distributor for Jolly Roger rides.
The ride is based on the adventures of Underground Ernie - the new hit animation cartoon series currently showing on CBeebies. The ride features Ernie the dedicated supervisor (voice by Gary Lineker) and Jubilee the mischievous train.
Complete with a video screen option, a vibrant colour scheme and fun sound effect buttons this ride is just the ticket!
08 October 2007 8/10/07 - PHOTO PLAY successfully follows the new trend!
PHOTO PLAY, the German market leader in the touch-screen terminal sector, anticipates a rapid increase of their members in 2007.
Lenzing, 2007. 15 million Germans are already playing casual games on the Internet. This makes casual games more than twice as popular among Germans as console games. This fact was announced during a press conference at this year's Games Convention.
PHOTO PLAY exactly counts on this trend with regard to its classical fun or party games 'Kick the Fish' and 'Bavarian Quarters' - games that are easy to operate and don't require any complex knowledge of games. Thus, entirely new target groups can be addressed by the touch-screen industry. 'Middle-aged women are getting particularly interested in these games', explains Norbert Langer, authorised officer and head of funworld's Marketing & Sales department. 'Almost half of all members registered in the system are female', says Langer, who is quite pleased about this fact. The most recent developments of PHOTO PLAY include enormous growth rates in this area, thus making funworld's future expectations quite optimistic: 'Given our new game genres we anticipate a giant increase in the number of PHOTO PLAY members this year. We are especially glad about the increasing number of older-generation members. Our oldest gamer is 80 years old and an enthusiastic 'Kick the Fish' gamer', says Josef Öhlinger, CEO of funworld ag.
Older gamers play PHOTO PLAY games in order to keep themselves mentally fit, to train their memory as well as to maintain and improve their reaction skills. 'But also the younger target group is open to this trend, with entertainment and relaxation being the key motivators', says Norbert Langer.
Another remarkable result of the field test prior to the introduction of the PHOTO PLAY System 2008: More than 60 percent of the women preferably play games in order to relax and to relieve stress, whereas only 42% of the men rated this factor as 'very important', says Langer.
03 October 2007 3/10/07 - See "Games that earn" at Preview next week.
Harry Levy Amusements has one of its strongest ever line-ups of new machines at this year's Preview show. 'We have listened closely to customer demand following a difficult transition period to the new gaming law, and we have designed and sourced solid product which will perform long-term,' says Gary Newman.
There will be several new pushers unveiled for the first time at the London show. Rally Racing is a straight, pusher available as either a six or a four-player with eye-level coin entrance. Game play is simple and the machine was created in response to recent requests from UK operators for a smaller machine.
Dazzler is a 12-player circular, small-bedded pusher, which is so new, that details can only be revealed at the show itself. Meanwhile, Spiral Mania is a six-player circular, built on a big bed where small or large prizes can be won or gambled from rotating eye-level spirals. It provides psychedelic fun for all ages.
Lady Luck in single-player format will also be shown at Preview. The game combines double-level pusher action with an innovative coin-shooting mechanism. Players must flip the coin to try and hit moving targets in a bid to outwit the machine in a game of tic-tac-toe.
For the redemption sector, Harry Levy has a number of new offerings. Smart Bowling follows in the success of the Alley Bowlers series of games with a classic skittles knock-down approach.
Junior Dreamshooter Basketball (pictured) gets its first showing at Preview. It is a child's version of the classic basketball game that has been an enduring favourite with Harry Levy's customers. Children are encouraged to throw as many balls as possible into the hoop and bonus rounds are awarded if targets are met. Housed in a bright, attractive cabinet.
Smokin' Token Extreme from Bay Tek is the cream of the redemption offering shown at the recent US shows. It takes the classic and proven Smokin' Token roll-down coin formula and links two machines together with a progressive jackpot for extra excitement. 'This machine has been extensively tested and is proven to take a mint,' says Gary Newman.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of the many other games that Harry Levy will be taking to the Preview show this year. Other titles include: Lady Luck 3-player, Magic 10 single-player, Casino Poker single-player, Supersonic 12-player (8-player also available) Fun Park 8-player and Around The World 12-player for the pusher sector. Moviestop, Superstar (new programme) Dream Shooter Basketball, Dog Pounder, Johnny Applespeed, the Deltronic Ticket Centre, Bustin Balloons Alley Bowler, Crazy Frog Whacker, Spin N Win, Speed Catcher, Taxi Standard Crane, Wonderwheel and Corvette Dragster on the redemption side.
'We would like to say to operators, get down to Preview, come and see us and have a look at the great new line-up of high-earning games we have sourced and created for you this summer,' says Newman.
03 October 2007 IAAPA Announces Institute for Emerging Leaders
The Institute for Emerging Leaders coursework covers five core subject areas: Facility Operations and Safety: industry regulation, best facility management practices, employee training, guest safety, risk management, and an overview of ASTM/F22 ride standards. Revenue Operations: Food and Beverage, Retail, and Games: revenue theory, inventory control, up-selling, and pricing strategies. Marketing and Public Relations:marketing theory, public relations, advertising, promotions, electronic marketing, sponsorships, collaboration, and success measurement. Finance Capital: revenue theory, planned vs. actual income, operating margins and ratios, capital investment, return on investment (ROI), and asset management. Leadership: seasonal hiring, training, turnover, team building, understanding young workers, motivation, and performance management. Students will learn success metrics, key operational functions and drivers necessary to operate a successful attraction. The Institute for Emerging Leaders utilizes a fictional park, Funworld, as a key teaching tool. Attendees will explore Funworld Park's finances, revenue operations, and marketing strategy. On the final day of the program, attendees will build and present a business plan for an expansion of Funworld Park. The culminating event will challenge the participants to use their new-found knowledge and resources available on the trade show floor of the Expo to develop a plan for park expansion. 'The Institute for Emerging Leaders is an exciting program for IAAPA and a step forward in career development for the industry. It is a great opportunity for managers with at least three years experience to learn more about the industry, as well as build a network of industry colleagues to help sustain their career growth in the future,' stated IAAPA president and CEO, Charlie Bray. 'Of course all of that is being done in the best location possible: IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007.'
Clikc the link below to find out more and to register:-
07 September 2007 27/9/07 - SEGA MAKES 'COSMIC' CHANGES
Sega Amusements Europe Ltd. has confirmed details of the widely known changes surrounding its UK distribution network and departure of one of its key players.
From October 1st Cosmic Video Amusements will jointly take on the Sega distribution line for the UK in conjunction with Crown Direct. As Sega has developed over the last few years it has undertaken a string of changes. This latest move shows Sega's commitment to maintaining its position as the market leader, working with the best companies in the industry.
Paul Williams Sega Managing Director commented 'We have been negotiating for some time now with CVA and it is clear that they are best placed in the UK today to support the Sega product and compliment our other distributor, Crown Direct, perfectly'.
In addition Sega's long time UK Sales Manager, Aaron Gilbey will take up position with Cosmic. Gilbey has been involved with Sega in its various guises for 16 years. Both companies feel this creates a perfect scenario; he commented 'I am very sad to leave Sega after all this time, it has been a fantastic experience but I am looking forward to this new phase'.
Cosmic boss, Terry Farr delighted at the new opportunity said, 'This is a great new addition to the Cosmic stable. Having a world leader like Sega on board will take our business to the next level. We believe they have an impressive history for innovative products and a solid long term strategy. With Aaron on board we will exceed every body's expectations. I believe we have a reputation for outstanding customer support and product knowledge. Over the last two years we have significantly refocused CVA to specialise in this sector and I know CVA is now well positioned to do justice to this new line'.
Sega and its two distributors will be showing its products, including as yet unseen Race TV and Primeval Hunt, along with Let's Go Jungle Special Attraction and its skill based UFO Catcher at the London Preview.
