The Stinger Report

The Stinger Report

Video's Secret Success Story – Initial D!
Operators complain that they need a driver, but behind the scenes a large number of operators are basking, not just in the summer heat, but in one of the biggest revenue success stories in resent video game history – seeing weekly revenue in the £1,000 per week area from a two year old product! SEGA's ‘Initial D Arcade Stage' is being called "Racing's Beatmania" with a strong following, but just where did this product come from, and why has it passed some operators by?

Nintendo Banks on Amusement Once More!
TSR learns that Nintendo representatives in Korea have started development of a coin-operated video game system that uses the GameCube to present games to a reticent Korean console market. Along with investment in other amusement projects, this marks an increasing arcade effort from the company – speculation of Nintendo increasing video arcade investment in order to bolster the GameCube's flagging support.

Borg Fight to Save Franchise
Viacom/Paramount fights to reinvigorate claimed 'stagnated' support of the Star Trek franchise with a decisive 4D movie (aimed at amusement venues, not movie theaters) and the creation of a new attraction for application in America and Germany themed sites. The new 'Borg Invasion 4D' hoping to prove the franchise's stability.

Simulator Problems for Disney
Embryonic entertainment manufacturer ETC finds that legal recourse is the only way to be able to consider a life after Walt Disney – as their entertainments division is forced to start a $17 million claim against the theme park giant – asserting that Disney has forced them not to sell their technology to other operators. The claim also alleges outstanding safety issues with the ride ‘Mission Space' attraction levelled by Walt Disney who has threatened to counter claim. The promising ETC entertainment division, which exhibited for the first time at IAAPA 2002, may find them unable to sell any products come IAAPA 2003?

Is the ‘Game-On' for AWP!
Industry Association and manufacturers round on FairPlay Campaign, while dangers of actual regulations against AWP are proposed. Accusations regarding the legal use of the AWP code for emulation, and the dangers of forcing manufacturers to revert to a ‘random' playing style for these gambling systems have been levelled. Accusations of behind the scenes negotiations to avoid possible Government interference in the sector heat up to match the record-breaking summer weather.

The Stinger Report (in brief) is provided to Highwaygames by Kevin Williams, the publisher of "The Stinger Report". To read the full articles and information, please visit www.thestingerreport.com