The Stinger Report

The Stinger Report

More Hints of Major Amusement Changes
The biggest shakeup in a decade could be in the works for Japan's video amusement manufacturing sector. Reliable sources say companies as diverse as Namco, Taito, SNKP, Capcom – and possibly others? - may release most of their future coin-op games on Namco's System 246 architecture (based on Sony PlayStation 2 technology). That means virtually abandoning in-house R&D for basic coin-op architecture! Meanwhile, upcoming private showings could help establish Sammy's ATOMISWAVE as the rival power center of a "bipolar" coin-op world. Sammy's also near the climax of their SNKP negotiations. Storm warnings ahead...read your Stinger weather bulletin for all the juicy details!

Watching the Players! Part 1
First of two parts: Online Promotion and Ranking are having a major impact on video amusement and players. The Stinger examines the use of specialised web ranking and web sites. TSR also AMOA's Information Privacy and Security Policy towards enhancing the gaming experience and how online support could be the important element in video success.

Disney Park Under Threat
After years of depressed earnings and stock values, Disney Corp. was hoping for a major rebound in 2003. Instead, the company got hit with more problems: near-bankruptcy for EuroDisney; continuing low attendance at the new California Adventure park; flat attendance elsewhere; vomit-inducing rides at DisneyWorld (Florida); plummeting popularity for traditional hand-drawn animation, leading to deep cuts in that division; and finally an epic boardroom battle (Michael Eisner vs. Roy Disney). The Stinger examines the patient and issues a wary prognosis.

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