1. TITLE Target Rich Environment!
Can the amusement scene survive in a market where manufacturers seem to be coming out with the same product as their competitors! The Stinger looks at the uncomfortable subject of ‘competitive emulation' in the market. The four main areas of Sports Shooting games, Soccer System games, the Dinosaur Kid Vending system and the ambiguous Dancing Stage games are brought into contention, with information on some of the legal and domestic spats that are putting pressure on the development of new content. Breaking news on the application of the latest LAN site systems for the arcade sector as the first SEGA supported ‘Online Game Frame' system hits the streets.
2. TITLE The New Industry Business Model
The Stinger Report undertakes one of the most comprehensive run downs of the ‘dark art' of consultancy services focused in-with our goldfish bowl of an industry. In the last few issues of the Stinger, available too our exclusive subscription list, informative industry information is discussed. This includes a run down of the leading consultancies and the areas of involvement including a new trend towards the support of training for the facility sector. The Report reveals a strong reserve of theme park and family entertainment centre development and operation experience, and a group of marketing media and research for the developers of the content that actually populates these sites. It is from these sources that the future direction of the market is being shaped and we know so little about them… till now.
HOSPITALITY / VENUES
3. TITLE Urban Entertainment Rolls-out the Changes!
To say that 2006 has already started as a tempestuous year for the location-based entertainment or urban entertainment centre market would be an understatement. This Stinger Report charts the appearance of a multi-million dollar project to develop a new concept in themed entertainment called ‘BreakOut' due to hit New York City, while the San Francisco City leading mixed-use entertainment venue METREON is sold by SONY. Sales in the market seem to be the name of the game as Paramount places two key parks up for sale and the Malibu Grand Prix and SpeedZone chains are part of a 32 venue purchase. If this was not enough the Stinger also reveals the ramifications of the Dave & Buster's sale – what turmoil, and only covered in detail at the Stinger!
For more information on these stories, please visit
www.thestingerreport.com
