The third in our five part feature on the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) event continues with the remaining coverage of the amusement portion of the event, followed by the first of the attraction coverage looking at the interactive simulation explosion on the show floor.
The subsidiary to the South Korean amusement company did not seem to rock the sector, again showing 'Pump It Up: NX Absolute'. However, without an appearance from DDRX, the BeatMania concept had to be represented in Konami's absence by the latest installment of the Andamiro franchise. Another rhythm beat game at IAAPA from the company was aimed towards a younger audience. 'Pump It Up Jump' offered a two-player, child-themed rhythm game in an impressive package. Along with this, the Korean company also filled their booth with a strong redemption and skill based product.
Rounding up the Asian involvement on the show floor, PMi Studios represented the Korean PentaVision game, with a single cabinet of 'DJ Max Technika' on display, hoping to draw more operators to give the system a try. Also showing was IR Robots, who had the production versions of their 'Marubot' amusement robot series including 'Marubot Soccer' and 'Robot Football', the latest and most advance versions of these player controlled robot sports games. The company also showed a small table-sized version of the robot soccer game for two players using joy pad style controllers (a possible hospitality application). Finally another area of interest that saw some Korean activity was from the company AGRIC (Arcade Game Regional Innovation Center) - a company looking to apply its development and attraction skills to creation of new regional amusement venues with a special operation plan looking for interested parties.
AMI Entertainment Network came to the event for the first time since the disappearance of the Merit name. A selection of the latest touch screen terminals was presented as well as the latest hospitality systems. Along with the changes for manufacturers, the associations faced machine changes. Swallowing a very bitter pill, the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) booth embraced the IAAPA event and new technology. The trade association ran a booth that offered visitors a chance to check their email, Facebook entry and post pictures and comments at the Vegas show - the first time that the amusement association has been so upbeat about the Social Network sector. The association even went as far as bringing a video-casting team to the show, filming video of members' booths: we wait to see the quality of work created. Along with a good showing from the leading trade magazine, IAAPA also marked the 35th anniversary of Play Meter.
NOTE - The IAAPA booth was the location chosen to break news of the New Spring Show planned for March 2010. Prior to the event, the trade media leaked the name of the new show - falling on the 'AAMA/AMOA Amusement Expo'. This took many by surprise, not only for being a long and complicated stanza, but also the fact that the name clashed with the 'Amusement Expo' (fun center web hub), 'Web Amusement Expo' (virtual arcade show), the 'Amusement Expo Europe' (Italian exhibition). This also created some confusion regarding the Indian IAAPA show that has become known as 'IAAPA Amusement Expo'. Why such an ambiguous name was chosen was a question placed at the conjoined association committee.
One surprising revelation from IAAPA as to the future of its commitment to trade exhibition was regarding Fun Expo. IAAPA - the new 50 per cent owner of the exhibition - confirmed that they would take a "wait and see" attitude on the future of the show after the 2010 event. Following the merger of IALEI in October with IAAPA, concerns had grown that the 2010 Fun Expo within the new Amusement Expo could be the last. With no confirmation as to the future of the event questions were raised if one of the promises of the trade association merger may have fallen by the wayside.
Breaking Stinger News - Just as this feature was being composed news of the passing of a legend in the video amusement scene was revealed. Leland P. Cook Jr., passed away on November the 6th 2009. His death seems to have gone unreported by the amusement trade, a less than fitting mark for a man that helped shape the modern amusement scene. After creating Master Vend (formally Cranford Vending and now run by his surviving son) in 1975, he moved on to start TRADEWEST in 1985. Initially licensing video game content, in 1986 the company launched the ground-breaking title 'Ikari Warriors' and in 1987 became a licensee of Nintendo breaking into a new sector. At the same time the company purchased the Cinematronic label. TRADEWEST went on to be an influential force on both sides of the ocean shaping both amusement and consumer game development and was finally acquired by Williams/Midway in 1994. This was another testament to the sad fact that the current amusement industry is both losing its direction, and also its perspective on is past.
Returning to the IAAPA'09 show floor and STERN Pinball came to the event with a modest booth, but with rumors swirling that a wind of change was about to hit STERN. Some sources suggested major investment changes and the possible restructuring of a company that had already undertaken major changes. Off the show floor, it was finally revealed that a new investor and partner had joined the company. The news was broken by Pinball News website that merchant bank and private equity investment firm Hagerty Peterson and Company is the new partner, working on a brand new business plan for the legendary pinball manufacturers. This news comes at the same time as the hiring of a new Director of Marketing, who has instigated a detailed web based questionnaire process with existing customers to gather market data to help shape new development from the company. The new marketing impetus saw STERN brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century by running YouTube based promotional videos of their latest pintables. Additional company changes are expected.
Breaking Stinger News - Just as the news of IAAPA was going to the wire it was revealed that STERN Pinball was in the final stages of releasing its latest big license table. 'Big Buck Hunter Pro' is a license based on the Raw Thrills / Play Mechanix sport shooting franchise. Rumored to have been in development for the last few months, the final version of the game is expected to be released in summer 2010, this is the latest video game success to be turned into a pintable ('Space Invaders' and 'Pac-Man' being famous titles from the past).
Rounding up the amusement component of the show and, along with a strong showing of redemption and skill games, the company Skee-ball celebrated the 100th birthday of their phenomenal entertainment systems. Invented in Philadelphia by J.D. Estes in 1909, the Skee-Ball system has gone on to re-shape the mechanical skill game sector. The company had a special anniversary system on sale at the show to mark the momentous point in this amusement icon''s history. Redemption made a big splash along with skill games at this year's IAAPA - for more detailed coverage on the big developments be sure to subscribe for free to the Stinger Report's sister publication, The Redemption Report.
News Story with thanks to Kevin Williams. Please visit
www.thestingerreport.com for others.
