The Stinger Report

The Stinger Report

ATEI Trends, Strengths and Weaknesses
Who will control the amusements industry of tomorrow? From Asia to Europe to the USA, that is the key question on the table: and ATEI 2004 offered many intriguing clues to the possible answer. Some U.S. visitors complained that ATEI was light on worldwide product debuts. The Stinger feels these scoffers either didn't look very hard, or simply didn't care for what they saw (i.e., the "no new Pac-Man" syndrome). The exhibition offered plenty of new releases and a vivid look at crucial technological and corporate developments in the worlds of video and gambling. ATEI '04 also offered a better-than-usual chance to mingle with the makers and shakers of the industry - the primary reason for the success and longevity of this exhibition. Top ATEI trends: gambling and amusements mix it up, in more ways than one. Online arcade video systems growing in number and sophistication. Change-ups seen in European offices and distribution for many Japanese and U.S. factories.

Watching the Players! Part 2
Now comes the conclusion of the Stinger's two-part feature on using the Internet to "data mine" details about players. This time, we look at how operators obtain and use this information; the importance of specialised web services to support and attract players; and how fan sites influence game development by manufacturers: often without players realising it. Most surprising of all is the potential for "activist" players to turn the tables on the manufacturers, and use the Internet as a vehicle to pressure factory management to change its direction and policies.

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