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Most youth directors realize that it can really be tough to inspire, teach and reward today’s youth for good behavior. Whether you’re a youth minister or a youth organization director, it can be intriguing to successfully draw and keep the targeted youth in your area or even reward existing members. To get and to maintain their attention, you will need a high degree of interest, interactive amusements and the power to link something FUN with your church or group.

Whether it’s a humble youth event or a gigantic community festival-fund raiser, you want to offer fun activities that keep the kids wanting more! Inflatable games and other interactive items offer that cutting edge interactive entertainment experience. Games like the Bouncy Boxing Area, Sumo Wrestling suits, Gladiator Jousting, Bungee Runs, Giant Slides, Mechanical Rides are something that the ordinary child doesn’t have access to unless its at a fair or festival. Using this type of safe yet challenging equipment is something that can draw in youth from all around your region.

Are you planning a lock in? How about a Halloween Alternative Event? Or possibly a New Years Eve Party? The aim of all these type of events is not only to offer secure, Christian alternatives to outside events, but also to show that being part of a Christian Youth Group is anything but tedious. There are two ways to offer inflatables and interactives to your youth. Most organizations start out by renting their equipment although others will choose to buy equipment. As you’re looking for a company to aid you with your youth ministry, you’ll want to ask some particular questions!

Does the Company Specialize in these types of activities? * Do they have clean cut representatives that will help at your event if necessary * Can they be pliable to your needs? (Pick up and Delivery at your required times) * Do they offer a discount to Christian Youth organizations? * Are they fully insured? * Will they work with your budget?

These inquiries and others can help you obtain the right company for your organization. You will also wish to find out what kind of equipment they have to provide. You’ll be looking for bright colorful equipment and a reasonably large variety of games. Since the average youth tends to want to try different things, its important to be able to offer different items for each event.

Researching interactives for your ministry can be a fun and educational experience. Along with company websites, you can also find Blogs and even Squidoo sites that will help you with your plans. If you try inflatables and other interactive games to boost your youth ministry, you’ll be thrilled with your results, as will your youth!

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Cheryl Pierce
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Late October 2009 In USA and January 2010 will see the release of the Animation of the classic Astroboy. This animation classic was created by Osama Tezuka a way back in 1952 right through until 1968 and was called Tetsuwan Atom and it was a lot years later USA got the first English spoken version (Im unsure if the cartoon was aired in UK though).Osam Tezuka has been credited many titles like God Of Manga, God of Anime and even the Japanese Disney which upset the great man(though he was inspired by Disney and Bambi). Along with Astroboy, he created Kimba The white Lion which many critics believe was the inspiration for the Lion King (maybe a post for a another day) but what we can say is the big puppy eyes we see in anime he was man to start the trademark style.

Im a massive Anime fan I havent seen much of Tezuka classics, though I have seen a lot of pictures read a few of the graphic novels and I can see and respect why the animation had become a cultural part of American and in some other lands. Its Like Mickey Mouse to Walt Disney, Astroboy is to Tezuka. It was shown by NBC during a period of time when the world was recovering from World War 2 along with world economy recovering, people will simply rebuilding themselves and it was also a fascinating time for technology with a lot of gadgets like microwaves, the sort of things we take for granted these days. Television was improving slightly, lots of programmes and films where sci-Fi based so anything robotic was big news. Basically anything we grew up watching, buying, doing when we were younger is iconic be it for positive or negative reasons. Im one of Thatchers children, the children of Britain who grew up with iron lady dictator in power, iconic things I remember are Ulysses 31, dogtainian and muskerhounds, rainbow, return of the Jedi, Miyazakis Laputa, the list goes on.

So why has Astroboy and its up coming film caused so much stir among many fans? Americanizing is a little harsh; yes an American company was involved but so was a company from Hong Kong and Tezuka productions (a company started by or on the great mans behalf) which shows the production team want to keep originality. The TV shows have been made twice, once in 1980s and again 2000 and the 2000 edition did have a lot of Americanisms in it but no comments where made then. I have to say the two things I see why people are up in arms about the new anime is the use of big known Hollywood actors and the new astroboy look.

It has always been traditional to use actual voice actors rather than big Hollywood stars in animations especially Japanese ones, the producers want the money to fly in so they chose these big names, but if this anime is an iconic kids classic, why is there a need for known actors, the actual fact its a classic story (based loosely on Pinocchio) so why use these actors. What I will say is was there any outcry of use of big Hollywood actors for Miyazakis and Studio Ghiblis classic animes? No despite Miyazaki views of fat cat corporate Disney. Astroboy himself is voiced by Freddie Highmore (spiderwick chronicles, golden compass) who 17 year old English actor , Astroboys father and creator Dr Tenma is voiced by Nicholas Cage and the choice of him as a important character is annoying a lot of people the most. Donald Sutherland, Bill Nighy, Kristen Bell, Eugene Levy and Little Britains Matt Lucas are in it as well.

The other thing he wore just pants in the original now hes virtually fully clothed and to many its astro hair quiff the only recognizable thing from the original. Well we know Astroboy was a story of a era in the future with androids and Dr Tenma created a android boy called Astro to replace his son tobio who was killed in a car accident and built the android in the same image as his son. Astroboy is a 9 year old android boy but suddenly the new film he is a 16/17 year old teen with an English accent! It maybe the fact astroboy was roughly the same age as the children who watched him and that now hes an adolescent teen boy?!

As for voices it doesnt matter for me , everyone one these days wants to make a few extra bucks and in the year(s) of the remakes or reboots, watch it as if its one of those reboots, just look at star trek! So wait until the animation is released go watch and then judge the animation then. I cant see how its going to be an Americanized as not every actor is American some are British, the production team is mixed. I am however a supporter of keeping some originality if your going to make or remake a classic or simply loose that loyal fan base, so keep astroboy similar to the original cartoons.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Henrey Koperpark
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How often have you had a daydream about a future you wish you were having? What is the difference between that daydream and the life you are living? Fear of change often leaves us paralyzed and unable to move forward. Yet one step forward in to the unknown could result in the realization of our dreams. Our own inaction is the only thing holding us back from the life we desire. Taking action is the only way to move forward changing dreams into reality.

As I stepped onto the path of change it sent a ripple out that affected many individuals. I had been living in a cloud of confusion for nearly five years and I was afraid to be myself. I awakened one day to find I was not the woman I had once been. I no longer pursued the interests at the core of whom I really was. As time passed, the harsh circumstances locked me into a role that was destroying my soul. After ten years I wrote my first paragraph and suddenly I felt free to be myself. As I typed each word it opened the cell door a bit more that I was trapped behind. On completion of my new article I knew there was no going back and I must continue to grow, change and move ahead.

It is rarely easy to change and can cause those around you to feel you are abandoning them. They too, have become comfortable in their role and do not want anything to disrupt their comfort zone. Change can be as simple as altering your hair style or as complex as ending a long-term relationship. Some will believe as you move forward it will mean leaving them behind. To find your true self again this might be necessary.

Are you being true to yourself? Have you been conforming to the perception of you that others have created? Your dreams cannot and should not be dismissed. Take one hour each day to pursue your dream. Try it on and test the fit. See how it feels to actually live your dream. Does it make you happy? If yes, you must now decide, Am I willing to make changes to continue on a new path?

There will be defeatists and those who will accuse you of making waves. Some of your family and friends may try to dissuade you from achieving your goals. They may not want you to be yourself for fear they will not know what their place will be in your life. It will take commitment and courage to live your dreams and to be the person that is best for you. To do something that is only for you may be difficult at the start. Recognize that what you feel is real and valid. You are worthy of following your own dream do not be dissuaded.

Nearly nine months have passed since I began to see that to be myself I must change. I took many steps backward before I could begin to see the path I must follow. In being true to myself I am now engaged to Rick London, my love and my business partner in our new SEO and Branding Company Pen and Ink Inc. I publish a weekly Love advice Column in the Insiders section of The Herald de Paris (heralddeparis.com) and enjoy the status as expert author at Ezinearticles. Change is never easy but living my dreams is worth all the pain and every obstacle I had to endure to be myself.

Tags: Writing & Speaking by Lee Hiller
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To be bilingual or even multilingual is a key important factor for a successful global business. Given that international marketing and business has gone global, people should take a reality check right now to keep up with the Deguerins, the Joneses, the Beckler Fochs or the Bin Yusufs.

As global business grows rapidly in modern age, people will all too often be encountered with some situations, where some documents in their hands have not been printed in their mother language. Then, how do you solve this problem? Now you simply have 3 options. You either ask helps from some friends or partners in your vicinity (the problem is that he or she may not be familiar with one or the other language…) or you can try BabelFish online and get the translation finished automatically in an extremely haphazard and lackadaisical fashion. The last option is to use online search engine to look for a professional and proper translation company, which can provides excellent quality with fast turnaround time. This is where E.T. translation service comes in.

Cooperating with other translation companies all over the world, E.T. translation workshop has an excellent reputation for terrific quality of work with a solid professional background in language solutions. We pride ourselves on working with talented and professional translators to give the client a valuable experience and an overall feeling of satisfaction and trust.

E.T. translation team can help you with an excellent service at a much more competitive price that fits your budget. E.T. translation services range from document translation, proofreading, interpretation and even subtitle and transcription and website and software localization.

One of the most attractive points about E.T. translation workshop is that global network is associated with other major translation companies, so that there is an immediate answer to any language supports and solutions, which might crop up during the course of their duty.

Not merely are the translators of E.T. translation proud of the terrific quality of their translation -especially when they have experienced and talented translators upon their payroll- but their top priority is to build a long-term relationship with their prospective customers. Not only is this feeling of trust and satisfaction engendered through the quality of their work, but also seen in their customer care policies.

Another good point is that they are not going to charge you the world for giving you world class service. So you can believe that E.T. translation workshop is going to have Languages Supports and Solutions programs which are going to be tailor-made to your requirement and specifications, as well as to your budget. Competitive prices and excellent service is the name of the game at E.T. Translation Workshop.

E.T. Translation Workshop -your translation problems stop here! Please visit us at http://www.ettranslation.com to get an instant and free translation quote.

Tags: Writing & Speaking by Elle Song
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There are many wedding castles where you can enjoy a wedding ceremony or reception that is not to be missed. France contains many chateaux’s that function as hotels and meeting and reception centers. You can have a full blown large wedding, small private wedding, civil ceremony or non-religious wedding at the many different castles in France.

Chateau de Montvillargenne is situated ideally near Paris. It has easy access from the international airport in Paris and also offers accommodation as well as wedding facilities. For smaller weddings the Chateau des Briottieres is in the Loire Valley. This castle has 10 rooms that can be used as accommodation and the surrounding parklands make for picturesque scenery.

For those interested in the best food that can be offered then a wedding at the Chateau Les Crayeres is the perfect choice. This castle is renowned for its food and the restaurant at the castle in combination with the beautiful rooms makes for a fantastic choice.

France also has exceptional cuisine and the Chateau Les Crayeres is known for its restaurant and food. For the best in food and excellent accommodation then this is a great option. For those that love the beauty of the French countryside, particularly Provencal then Chateau de Montcaud is a great option. This Chateau is in Avignon and is situated in the countryside near the Cevennes Mountains. For those wanting the glamour of the French Riviera then the Chateau Montcaus offers all you would want as it is very close to the Mediterranean.

Scotland has many castles that offer beautiful grounds, scenery and surroundings. The castles themselves will have dining and accommodation options. Balfour castle is the found in the north of Scotland and has dramatic scenery as the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet just outside on the coast. What is described as a slice of heaven can be found on the Isle of Harris. Amhuinnsuidhe castle is this such place and offers wedding services.

Other castles in Scotland that can hold a wedding include Tulloch Castle, Traquair castle, Tower of Halibar, Stonefield castle, Stobo castle, Plane Castle, Myres Castle, Musckrach castle, Minard Castle, Mansfield Castle, Glengorm castle, Fernie Castle, Dundas Castle, Dalhousie Castle and Craigrownie castle.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Karen Letts
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Castles weddings have become very popular and can be considered a type of destination wedding. Castle weddings are luxurious and take place in some spectacular settings, as most castles are also located in beautiful surroundings. There are castles around the globe that are licensed for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Though most couples do not think the US has any castles there are actually a few and this can be a less expensive option then traveling to Europe depending on where home is. Belcourt Castle is located in Newport, Rhode Island and has over 60 rooms.

In North Carolina you can be married at the Biltmore estate with over 250 rooms, a gym, indoor pool and bowling alley. This castle is modeled after the chateaus found in France. The view is extraordinary as the forests and mountains provide spectacular panoramic views.

A combination of a destination and castle wedding can be found at Iolani Palace in Hawaii. This palace is based off of Florentine design and is the only true castle in the US. A more convenient location, particularly if you live in New York is OHEKA Castle Hotel. This castle was built in 1919 and is located under an hour from Manhattan. If you want to have a fun filled weekend then have your ceremony and reception as well as accommodation at the castle hotel.

There are also castles peppered throughout Europe and most of them have been licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. Of the many castles found in Wales, Scotland and England a few of the more popular castles for weddings are Langley Castle, Hazlewood Castle, Eastnor Castle, Coombe Abbey, Carr Hall Castle, Bovey Castle and Augill Castle.

Having your wedding at a French chateaux is the ultimate in romance. A French chateaux will provide you the opportunity to use one large room for your reception, a section of the chateau or you can book the entire chateaux depending on the size of your party. Some French chateaux’s that offer wedding services include Chateau de Mercues, Chateau de la Barre, Chateau de Jallanges, Chateau de Codignat, Chateau de Bagnols, and Chateau d’Audrieu.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Fred Bryant
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If you’re thinking about getting a new TV service provider then you may be wondering whether to go with cable or satellite. The question of which one to subscribe to has been hotly debated for the past couple of decades, but Comcast is proving that cable really is the better pick! With great new technology moving forward, cable TV from Comcast truly has a lot of advantages!

Cable TV from Comcast provides some of the best service thanks to revolutionary new ways of using cable technology to better deliver more channels and features. For example, the fact that all of the content from this cable TV company is in digital format leads to plenty of benefits for you as a viewer. These benefits include getting a lot more channels, access to an interactive on screen program guide; as well as advanced features such as HDTV, DVR service, and video on demand!

Comcast’s video on demand service, ON DEMAND, is truly revolutionary in the options that it gives you for watching the exact kind of TV that you want when you want it. With thousands of videos to choose from this service will keep you from ever having to be bored! ON DEMAND functions as a pay per view service as well as a source of free programming depending on what you want to watch. It’s a great way to get access to the most recent movies, as well as older favorites. Plus, with plenty of options in HDTV format, you can enjoy ON DEMAND in place of going to the movies!

Another service that Comcast’s high end digital cable technology can deliver that can’t be found with a satellite cable provider is reliable broadband Internet! While you can get Internet access over a satellite connection, it’s invariably slow, unreliable, expensive, and has a huge built in latency. On the other hand, when you get broad band digital cable based Internet access from this provider, you’ll be assured of being able to take advantage of the best Internet service available! It’s quicker than anything else available, has minimal latency for compatibility with real time applications, and it’s very reliable! Just as importantly, this form of highspeed Internet access is extremely inexpensive. It’s about the same price as much slower options that are based on phone lines, and it’s substantially lower in price than satellite Internet!

Comcast’s broadband Internet service comes with even more excellent features which will make going online safer than ever! For example, you’ll get access to a free McAfee antivirus and security software suite, along with free updates, for the lifetime of your subscription! You’ll also get cutting edge parental control software that will help to keep your children as safe as possible during the time that they spend online! There are a lot of threats on the Internet, but Comcast TV works hard to keep you as safe as possible from them! In addition, you’ll get free or reduced price access to lots of family friendly online content to make sure that there are plenty of info and entertaining things to do online through your high speed Internet connection!

Of course no home’s access to the outside world is complete without a phone line and Comcast Cable can provide that as well through its Digital Voice service! Digital Voice is the answer to high phone bills because it delivers all of the calling features that you could possibly want at a low flat rate. The fact that Comcast Cable TV includes all of your domestic long distance calls as well makes it an even better deal!

For all of the telecommunications services that you love, you can trust Comcast!

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Tina Harrison
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In the ever changing world of telecommunications, keeping up to date with advances in technology and services can be a challenge. Fortunately, Comcast Cable TV offers an easy way for you to connect with the newest services available in telecommunications. As a recognized leader in the cable television industry, Comcast has provided high quality cable television service for over 40 years.

Driven by a strong commitment to innovation and quality, Comcast has expanded its available services over the years, and now provides high-speed Internet access and phone service in addition to high quality digital cable TV.

Comcast Digital Cable offers a wide variety of entertainment packages, allowing you to choose the features and options you want at prices you can afford.

Included with Comcasts digital packages is On Demand, an innovative feature that gives you ready access to hundreds of movies and programs that can be watched whenever you want, along with over 40 commercial free music channels, an on-screen Interactive Program Guide, and parental controls.

And for added viewing flexibility, Comcasts Digital Video Recorder option allows you to record any program with the touch of a button. You can even watch one channel while recording another! Comcasts DVR can store up to 80 hours of programming, enabling you to record several programs, or even an entire season of your favorite television show!

If you enjoy the vivid realism of High Def TV, Comcasts superior HDTV service provides breathtaking picture quality.

The High Def option allows viewers to enjoy Comcasts ever expanding selection of HDTV programming, including favorite primetime shows, sports programs, movies and more.

Comcast Digital Cable provides a broad range of programming options. From movies, news and sports to network favorites and childrens programming, Comcast offers program packages that are sure to please your entire family. And Comcast offers all of the premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax, Starz and Showtime.

For maximum versatility, performance and affordability, you cant beat the phone services provided by Comcast. Rated #1 in call clarity, Comcast Cable TV offers reliable home phone service costing less than rates charged by phone companies. And switching phone service is easy ” you can keep your current phone number and your phones.

Comcast Cable offers several popular calling features such as Call Waiting, Caller ID and Call Blocking, all included in 1 low monthly rate. With Comcast, you can choose the calling package that meets your needs, whether you need to call within town or around the world.

Superior cable TV and phone service ” just what youd expect from an industry leader like Comcast. Through the use of innovative technology and an advanced fiber-optic network, Comcast has also become Americas most popular residential Internet service provider. Comcast High-Speed Internet enables you to enjoy the benefits of exceptionally fast uploads and downloads.

And with Comcasts PowerBoost feature, you can download video games, movies, music and videos faster than ever before. Even when the whole family is online, PowerBoost provides super fast connections.

Comcast HighSpeed Internet offers a great variety of features and options, including 7 email addresses, mobile telephone communications, a digital music service, free web games, personal web pages and more.

And to protect you and your family against online threats such as viruses and hackers, Comcast Broadband service provides McAfee Security Suite at no extra charge.

When you make Comcast Cable your single source for TV, phone and Internet service, you can take advantage of Comcasts Triple Play, offering 3 great products that work together for just one low rate.

All Triple Play packages offer free HD, and popular channels like HBO. So dont wait! Find out how Comcast can satisfy all of your familys entertainment and communication needs today.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Tina Harrison
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The greatest television is readily available just by getting in contact with your local Comcast Cable dealer and switching your programming over to this great provider. Whether you are currently using a satellite provider or other cable TV provider, you will find better promos and better programming choices with this highly ranked cable TV provider. Comcast has much more to offer you than other companies, including lots more HD, better customer service, higher quality DVRs, and more general programming. Plus, you will love the company’s on demand options, which make your television viewing even better than ever.

Comcast digital TV is a step above other providers because of all the choices available to you. You can choose from a bunch of different programming packages, each of which is designed to fully maximize your entertainment choices. For instance, Digital Starter allows you to get nearly 100 channels, including lots of the country’s favorites, plus free HD and On Demand access. You can also choose a higher level package, such as Digital Premier, which really allows you tons of entertainment choices and makes it easy to watch exactly what you love.

What is really great about Comcast digital cable is the fact that all of it is geared towards allowing you to have maximum choice in what you watch at any given time. On Demand is a great example, since it comes standard with any Comcast programming package and provides you with thousands of choices of programs and movies to watch at your convenience. Of course, the fact that HD comes free with your programming package is also great. While other companies charge for the privilege of high def programming, you get to enjoy high resolution, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and much more without paying any extra when you switch to this digital cable!

Comcast Cable is also special because it isn’t just about digital cable television. You also have the opportunity to upgrade your highspeed Internet to broadband Internet. With Comcast high-speed Internet, slow speeds and long waits are a thing of the past and you can expect to get a lot more done each time you get online.

This broadband Internet is designed to be extremely user friendly, provide plenty of bandwidth for the entire family, and to provide you with all of the necessary accessories, such as security software and wireless routers. Thanks to all of these features, this Internet service is now the best in the country and is the favorite form of Internet service in national surveys. What’s more, Comcast TV has also perfected a speed-boosting services, called PowerBoost, that even brings your download speed up higher and makes it even faster to perform big downloads.

For all around great telecommunications service, it is best to use Comcast’s Triple Play, which provides you not only with digital cable and high speed Internet, but also digital phone service. You will surely love the features associated with Digital Voice, since they provide unlimited calling and all of the calling features that make it easier to use the telephone.

For all of your needs, Comcast is truly the way to go. Whether you are looking for better television, want faster Internet, or just a better way to use the telephone, Comcast will surely exceed all of your expectations, while also providing you with extremely competitive prices.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Tina Harrison
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Having survived a couple of World Wars, countless recessions, the indignation of lifestyle police, and most recently the video game phenomenon it appeared that pinball was just too tough to kill. Thats why it was a surprise when WMS Industries, the dominant player in the industry for the past decade and the maker of Williams and Bally machines, announced that it was getting out of the business several years ago. Shed no tears for WMS, who is making money hand over fist with their video poker and slot machine division. In fact, following the announcement that they were getting out of the pinball business the companys stock experienced a small but substantial gain.

At one point, pinball dominated the arcade. During the mid to late 1970s and on the heels of the movie version of the Who pinball themed rock opera Tommy arcades nationwide featured row upon row of gleaming new machines from one of over a half dozen US manufacturers (with many others made worldwide). The first salvo of the video game industry was fairly innocuous”Pong didnt do much to dent pinballs popularity since it didnt exactly offer the same immerse challenge. The first challenge to the popularity of the pinball machine in the arcade began with Midways Space Invaders and Ataris Asteroids. These games could be played alone, and offered the same sort of escapism that pinball provided. For the arcade owner, these games took up less space, required less maintenance, and offered a higher customer turnover.

Pinball hung in there, however, and through the early eighties continued to make some solid games. The ones that come immediately to mind are games like Firepower (which helped launched the now ubiquitous multi-ball feature), Black Knight (offering an early version of the looping ramps found on many modern machines) and a couple of fun machines from Bally Paragon and Flash Gordon. For awhile, the choice between pinball and video games was similar to the choice between Pepsi and Coke: both were equally pervasive and it was simply a matter of personal preference.

It was the late 1980s”when video games became more technologically advanced and began to offer superior play experiences”that pinball lost its way. Depending on the manufacturer, they did it in different ways. Gottlieb and others made simple, traditional games that just couldnt compete with their video counterparts. Bally and other manufacturers went the opposite route”by cramming so much onto a playfield that the game hardly resembled traditional pinball. Some of Ballys late 1980s games”with so much playfield gimmickry going on”were nearly unplayable. By this point the video game had taken over the arcade. Some larger arcades continued to offer a few pinball machines to placate hardcores, while some eliminated pinball altogether. In the 1970′s most decent arcades would feature over a dozen machines, with large facilities having several dozen. By the mid 1980′s, it was rare to see more than three or four pinball machines in one location.

As the eighties gave way to the 1990s, however, a funny thing happened. Pinball began to experience a bit of a comeback driven by well designed, enjoyable games that finally got the balance between traditional gameplay and modern technology right. Williams and Bally (whom WMS later acquired), along with Data East, were making the majority of new games and some would become classics. Pin-Bot, Earthshaker The Adams Family and Diner are among my favorites of this era. Williams was at the forefront of the return to excellent design and gameplay, and its hard to think of a Williams game from this period that wasnt a fun game to play, if not a borderline classic. Articles started to appear in the traditional media about the durability and timelessness of pinball, about how the average pinball machine received much more repeat business than the average video game and about the devotion of the pinball player.

With the century drawing to a close, it seemed that the Williams/Bally outfit had found a niche and would be able to grind out pinball machines for the aficionados forever. The final nail in the coffin, however, was a lot of societal changes beyond their control. For one, video games and video arcades became less profitable as companies like Sony and Nintendo were able to transform a lot of the high end gameplay to the home platform. Meanwhile, trends like new urbanism,which saw a return to downtown storefronts and the growth of online shopping combined to hurt traditional shopping malls. Eventually the WMS corporate braintrust decided to pull the plug on pinball and concentrate on their highly profitable gambling machine business. From a business standpoint, it probably made sense but that didnt make it any easier for lifelong pinball enthusiasts to reconcile with.

Pinball still soldiers on, with something of a hipster revival of the games in cities like Seattle and Portland where lovingly restored machines sit alongside new offerings by Stern Pinball, the only remaining manufacturer in the world. At this point, it appears that the only hope for pinball players is that some effort will be made to preserve the machines that already exist.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Daniel Scott
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