The Stinger Report

The Stinger Report

Amusement 2003 Review
TSR reveals how 2003 brought video amusement back from the brink of disaster. At the beginning of the year, two or more of the few remaining factories were being advised by financial "wise men" to follow Midway's path...to make an exodus out of the arcade video market...and to take up sole and exclusive residence in the Promised Land of consumer (home) video. But lo and behold! A slowdown in consumer sales, coupled with surprise rebounds in coin-op video sales worldwide, and increased Japanese arcade earnings, have effected a timely resurrection of arcade video. Strong new contenders like Global VR, Sammy and SNKP are enlivening the market as well. On the downside, 2003 saw major negative
fallout from the failed SEGA-Sammy merger last spring; an ugly counterfeit lawsuit in the States; and high-profile accidents in the theme park ride business. But all in all, the arcade video industry rates a solid B+ grade for the year. TSR reviews 2003's highs and lows, and also takes a glance at the first eight month's of this publication's independent status.

Video Takes a Bite out of SWP
Video game manufacturers are increasingly turning to Europe's small-stakes gambling market to supplement their pure-amusement sales. Just how far has this trend progressed? The Stinger reveals that Namco Europe is the fourth manufacturer to offer VSWP (video skill with prizes) within the UK market. Look for more crossover to come – in fact it's already underway, with Sammy integrating SEGA's "Sonic" mascot onto a pachinko machine (Japanese quasi-gambling equipment).

UltraCade Moves Onwards
Big moves for the new-look UltraCade operation. New configurations to the standard Retro line with the controversial ROMBoard bring dead cabinets back to life, now supported by a new blast-from-the-past title (Dragon's Lair). UltraCade is hoping to achieve a second bite at the revenue cherry, while the company's patents find gold with a influential new hardware developments for amusement in many years with the uVC board. The Stinger also reveals how former SEGA president Howell Ivy is involved...and reports hidden new game content in the wings from this re-emerging video factory.

TrioTech Starts New Movers!
Canada proves its amusement credentials with leads from its emerging new manufacturer, TrioTech. The Stinger Report has been given exclusive access to the current and future plans that see the company's MadWave motion theater increase its installed base, while a new single seat motion game experience will play a major part in establishing an original and cost-effective motion entertainment system on the market. This upbeat news for the ride market arrives in the wake of Disney's extreme 'Protein Spill' problems, forcing some extreme measures for Walt's most expensive entertainment simulator project ever.

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.