The Stinger Report

The Stinger Report

Konami Flexes New Muscles
Konami, third-ranked of Japan's amusement manufacturers, sees a sudden explosion of activity in its AM division following a long period of quietly focusing on its Toy, Fitness and Consumer divisions. The Stinger charts new releases from the rejuvenated operation including a new shooter and BeMania release, while observations on the legal recourse to protect properties Konami has actioned. TSR also gains access to the important Asian Summer Sega Private distributor event with the major developments from the merged operation and their new shooter.

Summer Facility Scene Run-Down!
The Stinger reports on a loyalty scheme for amusement facility through a new kind of RadioWare (RFID or Radio Frequency Identification) system hidden in plush toys in Crane Games, while RadioWare is also deployed as an 'Age Verification' technology for vending tobacco systems. The Stinger also reveals the hidden use of this technology in loyalty cards that could see buyer data-mining, while RadioWare is deployed into the first video amusement machine as standard with Namco's LENZONE deploys cashless payment. Revelation on the deployment of ALL.NET infrastructure that supports e-payment for all machines that support this network technology as Sega, Namco and Sammy look towards their own NET-CASH competitor.

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.