offer in the park and of course they can have a positive economical effect as well. However, park owners have to decide whether the operation of those games corresponds to the park´s philosophy.” And he goes on: “It is important for a park operator to offer a large
variety of games, always making sure that games with a suitable degree of difficulty for younger guests (aged four to six years) are available. A mix of classical games, that the guests are usually already familiar with, and innovative ones, that tempt them to try out something new, usually makes for good entertainment for the visitors. At Europa-Park we also think that it is essential to integrate the games into the theming of the area they are in.” Stumpf also notes that, while midway games are usually suitable
for all age groups, redemption games have to be tailored for different target groups. “At Europa-Park, which has a large variety of attractions and shows for
all age groups, a wide range of redemption games is offered in order to guarantee economical success.” The park offers no coin-operated games due to the legal situation in
Germany at present, but with midway games in mind, Stumpf has several recommendations for fellow operators. “Regarding midway games, park operators have to make sure that they
are located at highly frequented spots in the park to attract the attention of the visitors. Also the staff members responsible for midway games are crucial to their success, as they have to encourage guests to participate. Moreover, it is important to offer attractive prizes that are displayed visibly. Last but not least, park operators should also make sure that there is enough room for storage of the prizes (stuffed animals need a lot of space).” The most popular midway games at Europa-Park are those with a sports
theme, while when it comes to redemption games, visitors prefer those that not only consist of pressing buttons on a system, but which encourage them to participate interactively. And the importance of the prizes depends on the type of game, according to Stumpf. “When playing a redemption game, the visitors usually focus more
on the game itself,” he points out. “It has to have an interesting and appealing theme/content. Midway games usually need attractive prizes in order to attract the visitors. The guests appreciate the mix of good entertainment and the possibility to win attractive prizes.” In the US, one of the country’s largest amusement parks, Cedar Point
in Ohio, features a major games operation as part of its offering, with 44 midway games and a full variety of coin-operated equipment in three in- park arcades. They clearly, therefore, play an important role and are a vital revenue stream. “Even in a weak economy, games still provide a good source of revenue for the park,” says manager of games Steve Gerold. “They have a bottom
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