Simon Liddle takes a look at the appeal of two of the amusement industry’s most enduring machine categories – pushers and cranes
As staples of the amusement industry, pushers and cranes are among the most instantly recognisable games for players of all ages.
For decades, these machines have thrilled arcade patrons and have captured the imagination of each new generation of players. Much of the attraction of coin-operated amusements stems from the enduring appeal of these truly ubiquitous games. However, given the fact that they are now so familiar and, like all out-of-home amusement games, must compete with new forms of entertainment, will they continue to attract players in the same way?
“These products are synonymous with the seaside, just the same as fish and chips, ice cream and candy floss,” said Steve Haslam of toy supplier UKIC. “The difference with today’s machines is that they have to be good quality so the public will keep playing.”
In seaside arcade locations, cranes are often located close to the entrance of the venue and are therefore among the first machines visible to those passing by. Pushers, meanwhile, often form the centrepiece of the property. These types of machines, be it the prizes or their sound effects, have become integral to the amusement arcade experience and are often the first introduction many players get to this form of entertainment.
This article can be read in full in the February issue of InterGame.
