The annual London Park Avenue Open Day, the joint home event from neighbours Electrocoin and United Distributing Company, was once again an outstanding success, and even managed to bring the British sunshine out, allowing manufacturers and operators alike to enjoy the delights of the famous Greek barbecue laid on by Electrocoin.
A number of smaller companies also took the opportunity to demonstrate equipment in one or other of the two showrooms.
Electrocoin’s Kevin Weir noted the influx of visitors from across the Channel, as well as from all parts of the UK. Next door, Derek Horwood pointed out the increase in interest that redemption games are now bringing in the UK.
There was a plethora of product on show, ranging from machines shown first at January’s ATEI to new products showcased for the very first time.
Ticket payout machine Space Invaders from Taito, a game based on the idea of dance machines, grabbed the attention of many visitors to the Open Day, as did Electrocoin’s very own hi-tech AWP Gold Street - the company’s first such machine in 12 years.
Weir told InterGame: "We feel there is a gap in the market for hi-tech machines and although people are saying the pub market is dead we feel the opposite and see it as a buoyant market and one to tap into."
Weir went on to say that the pub market is also proving a strong market for pinball machines with Stern Pinball’s most recent offering having phenomenal success.
"Pinball is considered a retro game and there is a whole new generation that has never played it," he said. "The last peak we had like this was 13 years ago and the game is proving so popular that Stern now has four other models in production and is reproducing machines all the time."
Other new products on show included Skateboard Stomp from Lordsvale and Barber Cut from Namco.
Among others there was also product from Astra, Reflex Gaming, Games Warehouse, Mida-Medalist and Info Game on show.
