TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR DIZZY CHICKEN BY BAYTEK (Ramon Vivar, Alpha Sr. Tech)
Dizzy Chicken is one of our industry’s top earning skill games so it is important to pay attention to even the smallest of intermittent problems.  For those games experiencing glitches in the ball tracking system, Baytek is sending out a free-of-charge upgraded camera assembly to correct the problem.  The game utilizes a mini camera mounted at the top ceiling of the playfield area that points directly at the spiral where the ball rolls around after it is rolled by the player control. The camera tracks the ball and feeds its exact stop position to the computer for ticket payout.

The new camera unit comes assembled with its mounting and is positioned slightly off-center.  Don’t try to readjust the camera. It was assembled that way on purpose.  It comes with a long USB cable with one end hard wired to the camera and the other end plugged into the back of the computer below the cabinet. The old camera has a shorter USB cable that plugs in to a USB extension running through the back, to the computer below. You have to get rid of this extension and replace it with the new cable. Another thing worth mentioning; the camera comes with a black lens cover. Make sure you remove the lens cover.

After installing, it is important that you run the “New Ball Image” step in the menu. This process takes an initial still picture of the playfield spiral for reference. After this, you can do the “Align Camera” step. …….You are ready to go.

Wheel of Fortune Deluxe-Betson Touch Screen Failure Fix (Dave Forlano, Alpha Tech)
Recently I came upon a Wheel of Fortune Deluxe videmption game with a touch screen failure. It was not responding on all quadrants. Typically, an easy fix is to remove the top spinner knob along with the bezel and give the screen a thorough wipe down using only a damp cloth (water only).
 
This time no matter how much “cleaning” I did, the touch screen would not operate correctly. 
 
The monitor portion of the assembly was working properly, just the touch screen was failing. A replacement touch/monitor assembly will put you back approximately $ 1,500.  OUCH! Even though this is a top earning workhorse game, my job is to save my company money whenever I can.
 
I decided to replace the touch screen (part # 4DZ3SCB43R) at a much lower cost of under $400. It takes a little time and patience.  The majority of the time is in the removal of the old touch screen assembly.  I used a box cutter to slice off the old adhesive strip that attaches the screen to the monitor.   I prefer the type with “breakaway blades” that allows me to use about a 2-inch blade to get under and past the strip.  Then I carefully sliced the adhesive away.  When you finally get the touch assembly separated from the monitor, you then need to remove the remaining residue to ensure a good seal and adhesion using the new adhesive strips.
 
Another method of touch assembly removal I have tried is to use heavy duty fishing line and pull across the seal just like cutting cheese.
 
It will probably take a little more than an hour to remove and replace the touch screen and then another 1/2 hour putting the game back together to start earning money again.
 
This is definitely doable and saving the company $1,100 plus what this game will generate during the three or more days it would take waiting for a replacement touch/monitor assembly provides me with a great feeling of satisfaction.

Intermittent Crane Problem–How Many Times Has This Happened? (Dave Forlano, Alpha Tech)
 
…You come across a crane with an out of order sign on it.  The attendant says it “works sometimes” but the claw does not always come back home.  You play the crane several times and it works perfectly. But when you played it you did not operate the gantry to its furthermost limits (stretching the cables). So you play it several more times, each time guiding the gantry to its limits, and suddenly it stops.  So you fiddle with the connectors and hope to find a loose or broken wire – but you do not find any.
 
Some of the new cranes will give a specific error code – designating where the trouble is, but most of the oldies do not.  The next step in your thought process is to get your meter and start the tedious task of ‘ohming out’ ALL the cables (you know it’s not the ground wire because some movements do work). But this could take a lot of time which you always do not have.  Perhaps there is an easier solution?

While playing the crane and operating the gantry, tug and pull on each of the harnesses. If you think you have a potential suspect, disconnect that connector and “wind it up” a few times. This puts stress on the internal wiring. Sometimes it is enough to temporarily solve the problem; sometimes it shows the symptom constantly.  If the symptom is constant, you have narrowed down the problem to at least one connector and you can eliminate ohming the other harness wires.   If it seems to be working – I let it go and move on to more urgent repairs on other games.
 
Then when I return I can see if the problem persists (if it does, maybe another connector is the culprit) and I will wind up another potential harness. If the game has stabilized, I look at that connector.  Of course this is not a fool proof method by any means, but I can attest that more than half the time this leads me in the right direction.
 
This falls under the category of “let the game tell you what is wrong” and never overlook this tip:   Ask the customer what they think is the matter with the game. They have been playing it!  My favorite doctor once told me:  “I listen to the patients.  They know what is wrong.”

CenterEdge Software

CenterEdge Software has a new wristband feature that will help prevent abuse of wristband operations with improved tracking of wristbands and their different colors. According to their recent press release:
 
“Facilities can now have one computer printing to multiple wristband printers, which can be set up to print different colored wristbands to differentiate ticket purchasers’ time or other purchase options such as skate rental,” Marcus Mayer, CenterEdge Software Director of Operations, stated.
 
According to Mayer, the wristband feature has applicability in many different types of venues and facilities such as skating rinks, trampoline parks, and laser tag venues. “Automating the wristband printing gets people in and out more quickly and helps prevent employee theft where individuals are handing out wristbands to friends or pocketing money,” he added.
 
Different types of facilities will be able to take advantage of multiple wristbands in a variety of ways. A trampoline park, for example, will be able to print wristbands whose colors indicate a jumper’s end-time, making it easier to get jumpers off the trampolines at the correct time. Skating rinks could use different color wristbands to indicate different skate sessions or whether a guest had paid for a skate rental, and laser tag facilities would have a different color printed for each game time.”

What this could mean. Keeping track of inventory of different colored wristbands has always been a challenge. By printing the wristbands as needed and having each one recorded including payment, helps close the loop from an accounting perspective. This same concept could be used to print and track or receive and track promotional coupons and other types of promotional packages.
 
For more information, email [email protected], call 336/598-5934, or go to www.centeredgesoftware.com.

PRIZE HOOPS CONVERSION KIETS from Team Play

Convert tired old Stackers into exciting new Prize Hoops. Prize Hoops is a complete kit that will convert Stackers into a powerful earning basketball themed game. Tests show a 100% boost in earnings. Conversion time is 1.5 hours. Call your local distributor for pricing or call Team Play at (847)980-6606.

Flagship Carpets has added a new dimension to their website where you can instantly change the colors on 200 of the most popular carpet patterns. There are currently 80 colors to play around with and additional carpet patterns are frequently being added. Another new technology gives Flagship the capability of printing up to 16 different colors in a design for regular carpet or carpet tiles and 14 colors for blacklight (fluorescent) carpet or carpet tiles.

What this could mean. This makes choosing a carpet pattern and the colors that best fit your facility so much easier when you can do it on-line even while you are at your facility. Flagship says the next step is to be able to change the size and shapes of the patterns and mix and match any design or create your own pattern and colors from a huge list of current patterns. I am happy with just changing and adding or subtracting colors from 200 or more choices. I believe that many facilities will be able to get what they really like with less stress and in less time.     

For more information go to www.flagshipcarpets.com or email Kristin Messick at [email protected] or call 800-778-5241 x 180.

Creative Works has New Products
Reactor is a very attractive action-packed skill game with players reacting to 144 flashing colored touch tiles as quickly as they can. The more they play, the higher the scores they can attain. There are ‘Meltdown’ and ‘Freeze’ features to add to the competitive nature of this game. Reactor is comprised of 4 arching arm curved columns that intersect with an overhead illuminated dome. The dimensions are 12’ w x 12’d x 10’ h. The open spaces between the columns allow guests to see the players. The cost is about $25,000 and the unit can be self-installed. Other features include high fidelity sound system, bonus match play, redemption capability, no staff required to operate.

Atomic Rush Wall Package. Atomic Rush is a great attraction that goes in a small footprint room. But now the same game can also go on a wall! The 2-player wall package cost is about $20,000 and to add a 3rd player is an additional $3,500.

What this could mean.  Space costs money and FEC’s can not afford to waste any. Reactor is a consideration for entrance area or lobby space that is not producing any revenue. The Atomic Rush Wall package is a consideration for an available wall section that is not critical to the facility’s theme. The low cost of these games and the fact that they do not require an attendant are two additional positives. Also, consider that these attractions can be upgraded to other future versions.

For more information go to www.thewoweffect.com, click on the Creative Works logo or call 317 834 4770.

Studio41b Juke ‘n’ Box is a great small footprint attraction game that uses music, a changing light tile interactive floor, and moving laser beams to give up to 3 players a high energy, challenging exercise and team building experience. The room dimensions are 11’ x 11’ x 13’-6” H (or 10’ x 12’) and there is a 1000 watt sound system with subwoofer to add to the energy. The object of the game is to move from the blue tiles to the other blue tiles and staying off the red tiles and while ducking under and jumping over the changing laser beams.  Points are deducted for time spent on the red tiles and for breaking laser beams. Points are earned by time spent on the blue tiles. Every game is different. The game knows where you are and reacts to every move you make. Time of play is 90 seconds.

Game play starts with 1, 2, or 3 players choosing the easy, medium, or hard level and then choosing a category of music and then choosing a song from the category. A special feature allows a player to use their mp3 player to input their own music. Guests can view the outside monitor above the entrance to see the inside action.  At the end of each game the players and team scores are listed on the monitor. 

For more information go to www.studio41b.com or call 863 875 7834.
   
Laser Star Haunted Shootout and Target Shootout are two of the many miniaturized shooting gallery models with all of the pizzzazzz of a full size shooting gallery. The footprint is only 7 feet x 7 feet and consists of 2 authentic rifles and all of the required hardware and software. The cost is also very reasonable-approx $16,500. All models have redemption capability. For more info go to www.lasershootinggalleries.com, email [email protected] or call 954 583 3222.

EMBED has New Product Innovations

emPOS is a hand-held mobile solution tool for Embed users which allows for swiper control, guest balance functions as well as the ability to serve as a virtual swiper for attractions, rides and midway games. In addition, emPOS allows for card reloads providing the facility with on-the-go sales ability. The cradle, required for only the sales and virtual swiper functions, is $600 and a single license is available at no charge. An additional block of 10 licenses is available for under $1,000.

emONE (All-in-one Kiosk) is the industry’s only self-contained, self-installed card system solution. It comes complete with everything needed to operate up to a wireless 25 swiper game room, with all components ‘housed’ in the secure Kiosk design (2 debit card dispensers, server, and wireless components). It is a great solution for bowling centers, movie theatres, trampoline parks, inflatable centers, resorts… any location that is looking to take their game operation to the next level. The starting price point through end of January is $14,995 for the emONE unit itself so operators can expect an investment level of slightly under or over the $20,000 level depending on the number of Color-Glo Swipers needed.

What this could mean. The emPOS is a great step forward in providing great customer service by investing in a low cost solution. Adding an additional kiosk at up to 15 times the cost is not an easy decision. emPOS is also a consideration to use for outside attractions where debit card swipers and kiosks can be affected by weather conditions (cold temperatures, heat, moisture, humidity). The next evolution is to create an app where guests can add money to their card and check balances with their cell phones and where parents can add money to their children’s cards remotely. The emONE Kiosk is an inexpensive way for facilities with up to 25 swipers can get into a debit card system. Add these new technologies together and we will soon see a time when all customers will be using their cell phones to reload their debit cards and check balances.

V5 Hardware Platform. An easy way to switch from paper tickets to electronic tickets or give your customers the choice.

Embed V5 has built-in support for electronic tickets, so no additional hardware is needed. The ColorGlo HD swiper makes it easy for guests to see their ticket wins being added to their cards. Locations worldwide are choosing to go ticketless and experiencing a wide range of benefits, including…

• No down time due to ticket jams and refilling ticket bins.
• Eliminates the cost of paper tickets and ticket-counting and shredding equipment.
  
• Reduces paper waste.
  
• Guests no longer have to keep track of large wads of tickets.
  
• Guests can accumulate tickets from multiple visits to earn larger prizes.

Not sure about ticketless? You can have both!

• Embed V5 can be set to default to either paper or e-tickets.
• Dual ticket option allows guests to choose their preference for paper or e-tickets during card purchase and reload.

For more information go to www.embedcard.com, click on the EMBED ad at the top of the page or contact Merrik Keller directly at [email protected], Tel 856 222 1811.

MORE NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY

– CenterEdge Software has a new wristband feature that will help prevent abuse of wristband operations with improved tracking of wristbands and their different colors….

– Flagship Carpets has added a new dimension to their website where you can instantly change the colors on 200 of the most popular carpet patterns…

– Creative Works has New Products: Reactor is a very attractive action-packed skill game with players reacting to 144 flashing colored touch tiles as quickly as they can…

– Studio41b Juke ‘n’ Box is a great small footprint attraction game that uses music, a changing light tile interactive floor, and moving laser beams to give up to 3 players a high energy, challenging exercise and team building experience.…

– Laser Star Haunted Shootout and Target Shootout are two of the many miniaturized shooting gallery models with all of the pizzzazzz of a full size shooting gallery.

READ ABOUT ALL THESE NEW PRODUCTS BY CLICKING LINK BELOW

Here’s the Ticket

I am a big fan of noticing new technologies and how they are used in our industry and more importantly how they can affect our industry, both positively and negatively. Here is a brief summary of those that caught my eye over the past two months:

Laser Tag. The current trend in laser tag has been to improve the experience of the arena and bring in 3D projection technology, advanced sound and motion, and other senses technology. While this trend continues, TRR also notes a trend of laser tag systems incorporating several video game technologies. Recently Zone Laser Tag has patent approval for what they call Achievements, Reward Points, and Z-Cred for laser tag and tactical laser tag. Laserforce utilizes Proxicards that use RFID technology to provide quick access into games, automatic handicapping, as well as skill-based, experienced-based and achievement-based leveling systems.

With Zone’s system, a player is awarded points for accomplishing missions or challenges within the game that are not a part of the individual or team score. These include total games played at home base laser tag facility and at other Zone system locations, interactions with communication kiosks, and even points for participating in social media promotions. Points can be used to upgrade powers, obtain special weapons, and acquire stealth capability (and even change teams like double agents). Z-Creds permit the player to purchase special weapons and features that are normally not on the points list. Z-Creds can only be cashed in at the facility that they were purchased at. By choosing the days and times Z-Creds can be used, gives the operator the ability to increase play during slow times during the week.

Laserforce’s system awards players with a badge on the player’s stat kiosk, updates to Facebook and provides an amount of XP points towards the players experience level. Special abilities and weapons can be unlocked for use in the game and points can be used to personalize their battlesuit and weapondry. Automotic handicapping provides a challenge to regulars and protection for beginners. After each mission, players can swipe their Proxicards at a stat kiosk to view their statistics and achievement and see if they have unlocked any special abilities.

What this could mean. It means that laser tag will remain a top industry attraction for many years to come. Zone and Laserforce have raised the bar and the laser tag industry will continue to evolve. It also means that laser tag systems, to remain competitive, will need to be upgraded or changed out after a few years of each major technology jump cycle. This is more challenging than making small improvements to the arena each year but on the positive side, the pressure to increase the arena size can be overcome through technology.

For more information go to www.zonelasertag.com and go to www.laserforcetag.com.

‘The life of Mike, the game technician at Fun For All, is now a complete disaster. Last evening his wife, Susan, informed him she was leaving him and wanted a divorce. She just couldn’t put up with Mike’s negativity and his constant complaining about his job and his boss.

Mike is a great technician with 8 years of experience and loves to repair games and find ways to keep them operating smoothly. He takes care of 60 games and loads tickets and unjams tokens, tickets, and bills a lot these days. His job on a weekly basis also includes collecting and counting the tokens from each game and recording coin and ticket meters, as well as taking meters on the token dispensing changers, ticket centers, and loading and inventorying the merchandise dispensing games. Mike dislikes doing all of this paperwork but he does his best even though he knows his handwriting is not that clear. He often makes guesses when reading the small and dirty digits on the mechanical meters. Even with a flashlight, 3’s look like 5’s or 8’s and vice-versa. Often 1’s look like 7’s. Sometimes Mike even leaves off a digit or finds a couple of meters that have broken at some time during the week or a couple that have the same readings as the previous week. Now he has to spend more time installing new meters. Before he turns in his paperwork he changes some of the numbers that are obvious mistakes.’

Click HERE to read about a troubled and stressed game technician and how GameAlert helped him turn things around.

For more information and free DEMO, click on the GameAlert Ad or go to www.game-alert.com.