Music & Games

Amusement Expo back with a bang!

Following a day of jam-packed educational sessions on Tuesday, attendees at the Amusement Expo International event hit the show floor Wednesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center and kept exhibitors busy describing new and exciting offerings.

An attendee plays the Mandalorian at the Stern Pinball Inc. booth at the Amusement Expo International.

July 5, 2021 by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The amusement machine industry is back with a bang. That much was obvious from the turnout and excitement at the Amusement Expo International at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week.

Following a year of lockdown from the coronavirus pandemic, amusement machine operators used the downtime to reassess their businesses and consider new lines of business. Equipment and technology manufacturers, meanwhile, developed new products, which they showcased at the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

After a day of jam-packed educational sessions on Tuesday, attendees hit the show floor Wednesday and kept exhibitors busy describing new and exciting offerings.

This year's show was moved back from the traditional March date to late June to give attendees time to recover from the pandemic disruptions.

Following are exhibition highlights from the trade show floor, with companies listed in alphabetical order.

Wayne Snihur presents a cashless card system that uses RFID chip cards for non-networked locations at the American Changer booth.

American Changer Corp.

American Changer Corp.'s cashless card system allows users to purchase an RFID card at the kiosk or download the app on their smartphone. Users can purchase credits on the app using a credit or debit card.

The user taps the RFID card or their phone to readers installed on games, rides or concession stands. The readers' LED lights flash green if there are enough credits to play. Otherwise, red lights will flash.

Following a redemption game, the reader displays the number of tickets won. The player then taps their RFID card or app on the reader and receives virtual tickets to use to redeem prizes.

The user can check their card balance and reload the RFID card at a kiosk or buy more credits on the app.

The system reports real-time data through a cloud server, and integrates readers with coin or bill acceptors to collect data.

Locations can promote their brands by uploading advertisements to the LED display via the SD card.

Pre-valued card or multi-valued card kiosks are available with cash only, credit only or a combination of the two.

There is no need for an onsite server.

Tom Raub presents the mini3 at the AMI booth.

AMI

The new NGX Mini3 jukebox from AMI offers patrons access to more than a million songs. The operator can block the display of artists, songs or genres that don't fit the location.

Music videos play on one or more connected TVs via an HDMI cable.

The operator can change the default language preference from English to Spanish and tap into the Latin American music collection.

The mobile app allows patrons to play the jukebox and to carry unused credits from venue to venue.

The ad manager allows the operator to schedule their own ads that display on the jukebox, or use one of the ready-made templates.

The jukebox has an 18.5-inch wide touchscreen display, a credit card reader and a bill validator with 700 bill capacity.

The computer package includes a hard drive, motherboard, power supply and I/O controller.

An attendee plays the Polar Protector game with environmental themes at the Amusement Source International booth.

Amusement Source International

The Polar Protector game from Amusement Source International allows players to throw balls at a marine polar environment with the goal of protecting the various animals from environmental threats. Every time a ball strikes a threat to the wildlife in the illustrated polar environment, the player is awarded points.

Min Lee and Drew Maniscalco show the Marvel Avenger at the Andamiro USA Corp. booth.

Andamiro USA Corp.

The Marvel's Avengers from Andamiro USA Corp., the first arcade game developed under the Andamiro-Disney creative alliance formed in 2019, is an epic, third person, action adventure game that combines an original cinematic story with single-player and cooperative gameplay.

Players fire tokens at a moving target wheel to win tickets and other rewards, and to populate the pusher play field. The objective is to "push" the Infinity Stones, which also reside on the play field, off the ledge. A bonus spin game is enabled when one stone is dropped; the super bonus game turns when all six Infinity Stones are collected.

Phillip Caldwell shows the redemption kiosk that allows users to buy phone time at the ATI booth.

Aurora Technology Inc.

The River Redemption Kiosk on display at the ATI booth allows users to use their smartphones to play anytime, anywhere. Users can buy phone time at the kiosk. The self-service kiosk allows users to create accounts, make purchases, redeem points and link to download an app.

The kiosk comes with a menu screen, bill acceptor, ticket printer and a promotional screen.

Users can register with a phone number to make a purchase and receive a printed receipt. They can also return to the kiosk to collect their redemption prize.

The mobile POS provides real-time access to purchases and redemptions, bonuses management, jackpot management, sales management and real-time reports. Promotional text messages can be sent from the POS.

Attendees play the Rock the Rim game at the Baytek Entertainment booth.

Baytek Entertainment

Rock the Rim from Baytek Entertainment combines an electric dance beat with next generation hoops. A custom LED lit trim sits atop a 55-inch monitor, inviting players to make the best of three unique game plays: Leaderboard Challenge, H.O.R.S.E. and 3-Point Shootout.

The 700-pound game is 2 feet and 10.5 inches wide, 10 feet deep and 9 feet high. The marquee is 5 feet 8 inches wide, 8.5 inches deep and 2 feet and 8.5 inches high.

Cam Vogel shows the new Goldfinger card reader being used for tax compliance audits at the Betson Enterprises booth.

Betson Enterprises

The Goldfinger PDS card reader and point-of-sale system gives operators real-time visibility of virtual and physical transactions using a touchscreen. The system provides reports that allow locations to document all activity, which enables them to comply with government audits, including tax compliance.

Customers can interact with equipment using a traceable RFID card.

The system also allows locations to give employees limited access to sensitive information and controls.

Betson Enterprises is Goldfinger's master distributor.

Trevor Gianaris and Tony Maniscalco Jr. show the Touch Magic Dicey Jump at the Elaut Group USA booth.

Elaut Group

Users playing the Touch Magix Dicey Jump redemption game use the two-button game play to hit the short jump or the long jump to stay ahead of the saw blade to win tickets. A player can win 1,000 tickets in 100 jumps. The machine features a 43-inch HD screen.

Elaut Group is the game's distributor.

Gabriel Wolman demonstrates the reloader and redemption software at the Embed booth.

Embed

Embed demonstrated its free mobile wallet, which includes a virtual game card that customers can use in their mobile phones.

Embed's mobile wallet has been approved by Google and Apple and features the only non-banking finance payment or loyalty card business and brand card to sit in consumers' mobile wallets, according to the company.

The mobile wallet features encrypted mobile technology security and has APIs available to link to any FEC mobile app. The mobile wallet allows guests to play games and reload with their virtual card directly from their mobile phone.

Steve Mortensen presents the Retro Racoons game at the Incredible Technologies booth.

Incredible Technologies

The Retro Raccoons game from Incredible Technologies in partnership with Glitchbit features a "Cheers" mode requiring players to have a drink. The cabinet includes four bottle/can holders.

Two to four players compete in a collection of trivia games.

The game can be played with drinks that are alcoholic or non-alcoholic in bottles, cans or glasses.

The game can also be played in a traditional cash mode.

The 207-pound cabinet is 72 inches high, 38 inches wide and 26.5 inches deep.

Drew Krouse shows the home arcade games at the Innovative Concepts in Entertainment Inc. booth.

Innovative Concepts In Entertainment

Innovative Concepts In Entertainment recently launched its home arcade games to offer professional games that look and feel like the arcade versions but suited for the home. The games have proven especially popular during the coronavirus pandemic.

These include: NBA Game Time Pro, Ice Ball Pro, MLS Licensed Super Chexx, Super Chexx Tahoe Edition, Super Chexx Pro Arena Rink Floor, NHL Licensed Super Chexx Pro and Jurassic Park Pro,.

Scott Sherod presents the Impulse at the Intercard booth.

Intercard

The iReader Impulse from Intercard is a card reader that takes both stored value play cards and credit cards, requiring no apps to download beforehand and no need to set up a mobile wallet on the player's device.

Designed to enable locations to optimize impulse purchases, the device provides a single report covering both types of revenue.

The front display screen can be customized to match the location's theme, and can show guest photos in real time.

Attendees play the Angry Birds Coin Crash at the LAI Games booth.

LAI Games

LAI Games' Angry Birds Coin Crash features coin pusher towers that allow players to build towers of coins and send them crashing over the edge to win prizes. The coin tower is built from the bottom up via a special mechanism that deposits coins in a circle, one layer at a time. The completed tower is then pushed onto the play field.

The game gives guests multiple ways to win tickets and add coins to the play field. The game features a coin tower that deposits coins in a circle, one layer at a time.

Unlike coin pushers with collectible items, Angry Birds Coin Crash is completely self-contained and does not require restocking. The game's cabinet comes in two- and three-player configurations.

LAI Games is launching the game at all Dave & Buster's locations.

Chris Vecchione shows the NFC receiver management unit from Tigapo at the Nayax booth.

Nayax

Tigapo, a cloud-based management and monetization system for amusement locations, provides location management and real-time business intelligence tools.

Under its partnership with Nayax, Tigapo leverages Nayax's payment infrastructure, technical support, logistics infrastructure and development resources to improve service for the amusement industry.

Tigapo can now offer its customers integration with a range of Nayax's payment and sales management systems.

The location's data can be stored online, accessible from anywhere, and managed remotely, eliminating the need for servers and related hardware onsite.

The Tigapo mobile terminals allow players to order their prize with a click of a button. The location's employees then prepare the order and notify the players once their prize is ready for pickup.

The Tigapo self-service kiosk allows players to pay at the kiosk and top up directly to a tag or a bracelet.

Jorge Gambini presents the DR410 payment device at the Sacoa booth.

Sacoa Cashless

Sacoa's payment-media reader can read RFID and NFC cards, wristbands, tokens and key fobs, with magnetic-stripe card acceptance as an option. The reader's HD full-color display can show promotional offerings, age restrictions, number of tickets awarded and other information.

The reader is Universal Card Link compatible and can mount onto equipment in place of a coin mech or bill validator.

Attendees play the Power Roll game at the Sega Amusements International booth.

Sega Amusements International

The Sega Power Roll is a 100% skill redemption game with a red and yellow cabinet where players use the lever to launch the ball up the play field and into the bonus ticket zone. As the ball rolls up, it swings the stoppers, creating a mechanical attraction. Ticket values along the ramp ensure players always win tickets.

The aim of the game, which features LED lights, is to get the ball into the bonus zone.

Each Power Roll cabinet is 19.4 square feet: 102 inches high, 32 inches wide and 85 inches deep.

Jason Smart presents the Lil Diamond game at the Smart Industries booth.

Smart Industries

The Lil Diamond from Smart Industries is a multi-station crane machine offering up to four prize options.

The user plays till they win, managed by an on/off dip switch setting.

The single-color cabinet features Lexan front panels and a four-way joystick, an Imonex coin mechanism, an independent locking coin box, tempered safety glass and a 6.5- by 7.5-inch prize hole.

The machine features security padlock tabs on the console and front glass door.

Cabinet color options are blue, green, red, light blue, yellow, orange and pink.

Joe Bundra of J&J Ventures joins Marcus Anderson and Nate McMullan at the Smart Software booth.

Smart Software

Smart Software recently added a mobile collections app to its portfolio of service management and route tracking software.

The software allows users to access data from any device at any time and place.

Functionalities include:

Auto generated recurring maintenance tickets.
Get directions or call locations.
Cell phone signature.
Attach photos to tickets, inventory items and locations.
Equipment and inventory tracking.
Scheduling and dispatching tickets.
Access customer information.
Real-time notifications.
Vehicle management and alerts.
Text and email reminders.

An attendee plays the Mandalorian at the Stern booth.

Stern Pinball Inc.

Inspired by the Star Wars series, the Mandalorian pinball machines from Stern Pinball Inc. are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models.

Players are transported to a galaxy as they play as the Mandalorian, teaming up with allies and protecting Grogu, while battling enemies.

The motorized rotating play field is packed with six stand-up targets, lights and flippers.

An inner loop shot activates an up/down horseshoe scoop ramp for repeatable precision shooting, creating tense experiences on the premium and limited edition models.

Players can navigate their way to multi-ball mayhem by hitting a hanging uplift target attached to a custom molded ship.

Hitting the target qualifies a center ramp shot on the pro, premium and limited edition models.

Features include a custom sculpture of Grogu, authentic video and audio from seasons one and two, and exclusive custom speech performed by actor Carl Weathers (Greef Karga).

The game includes the title theme song by Ludwig Göransson and hand-drawn artwork by Randy Martinez.