Play Meter
EditorTim Meyer, editor
Former editors
Editors
Bonnie Theard, Valerie Cognevich, Steve White, Chris Caire, David Pierson, Ralph C. Lally II
Staff writersJames Sebastien, asst. editor
CategoriesArcade game industry
Frequencymonthly
Circulation3000[1]
PublisherCarol P. Lally
FounderRalph C. Lally II
Founded1974
First issueDecember 1974 (1974-12)
Final issueJune 2018 (2018-06)
CompanySkybird Publishing[1]
CountryU.S.
Based inNew Orleans
LanguageEnglish
Websitehttp://www.playmeter.com
ISSN1529-8736

Play Meter (initially Coin Industry Play Meter) was an American trade magazine focusing on the coin-op amusement arcade industry, including jukebox and arcade game machines. It was founded in December 1974 by publisher and editor Ralph C. Lally II and it is published in physical form by Skybird Publishing on a monthly basis. Together with rival publication RePlay (founded 1975) it chronicled the arcade industry from its nascency, through market fluctuations like the video game crashes of 1977 and 1983, and the rebirth and maturation of the medium through the 1980s.[2] It is the earliest example of video game journalism,[3][4][5] establishing such practices as individual video game reviews[6][7] and the ten-point assessment scale for video game reviews.[8]

Play Meter served as the parent organization of the first coin-op-oriented spring trade show (forerunner to North America's annual Amusement Expo). It published several bi-monthly and annual special issues throughout its history and it maintains a website where online content is also published monthly.

The magazine shut down after publishing the June 2018 issue, coinciding with publisher Carol Lally's retirement.[9]

History

Special issues

Play Meter released a number of special issues.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c Pierson, Renée C. "Play Meter Publisher's Statement 2014". Play Meter. 2014.
  2. ^ Carless, Simon. "GameSetPics: Rare & Nintendo - Where It All Began". GameSetWatch. 22 May 2007.
  3. ^ Smejkál, Péter. "18 dolog, amit nem tudtál a játékvilágról". PC Guru. 8 June 2014.
  4. ^ Rignall, Jaz. "A Brief History of Games Journalism". US Gamer. 10 December 2014.
  5. ^ Weston, D.B. Greatest Moments in Video Game History. Pg.29. ISBN 9781301174140
  6. ^ Fontenelle, Iseide Arruda. "Novas Mídias e Mercado da Experiência: Um Estudo da Indústria dos Videogames (Relatório I – Introdução à Indústria dos Videogames)". Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo. 2005
  7. ^ Wolf, Mark J. P. and Bernard Perron. "Introduction" from The Video Game Theory Reader. Routledge. Pg.3. 2013. ISBN 9781135205195.
  8. ^ Audureau, William. "Jeux vidéo : cachez ces notes que je ne saurais voir". Le Monde. 18 February 2015.
  9. ^ a b Winterq, Casey (August 8, 2018). "Play Meter Shuts Down". RePlay Magazine.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Staff. "40 Years of Play Meter". Play Meter. Vol.40, No.12. Pp.28-44. December 2014. ISSN 1529-8736.
  11. ^ O'Connor, Tim. "Vid Kid: Steve Harris Lives A Fantasy That Has Grown Past Games". Chicago Tribune. 23 April 1987.
  12. ^ "Cover Story: We're not getting older, we're getting better". Play Meter. Vol. 20, no. 13. December 1994. p. 14.
  13. ^ Kissling, Mark. Writer's Market, 1992. Writer's Digest. Pg.703. 1991. ISBN 9780898794724
  14. ^ Brohaugh, William. Writer's Market 1980. Writer's Digest. Pg.621. 1979. ISBN 9780898790009
  15. ^ Garvey, Mark. The Writer's Market. Writer's Digest Books. Pg. 698. 1995.
  16. ^ a b Staff. "Sept. 9, 2005: Play Meter Plans To Publish October Issue; Betson, Employees To Send $21,500 For Hurricane Relief; TouchTunes To Match Operators' Relief Program Donations; Cell Phones, Coke Venders To Download Music". Vending Times. Vol.45, No.9. 9 September 2005.
  17. ^ Staff. "Sept. 6, 2005: AAMA Intends Long-Term Hurricane Relief Plan; Gulf Coast Trade Members Check In, Slowly; Ecast Backs U.S. Consent Decree Regarding NSM; Merit Changes Company Name". Vending Times. Vol.45, No.9. 6 September 2005.
  18. ^ Gifford, Kevin. "Column: 'Game Mag Weaseling': Mag Roundup 1/17/08". GameSetWatch. 20 January 2009.
  19. ^ a b c d e Staff. "Part 1: Journals and their Special Issues". Guide to Industry Special Issues. Harfax. Pg.371. 1984.
  20. ^ Johnson, Yolanda A., et al. Small Business Sourcebook: The Entrepreneur's Resource. Gale Research. Volume 1, Edition 11, Pg.73. 1998. ISBN 9780787611514.

External links

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