Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) / HISTORY
Welcome to the Stinger Report. For those of you that have read it before - nice to see you back. For those of you that are new, some explanations are needed:
FAQ
when was the stinger started?
The first stinger report (then called the water cooler report) was circulated in 1994, at that point it was faxed and emailed to a group of like-minded individuals, quickly finding favor as a irascible source of the 'real deal' in reporting the industry and its trends.
why is it called the stinger report?
The current name can be attributed to Jack Rodious, a prominent, well loved and hard spoken Australian writer and distributor, who was one of the first to see the benefits of the internet to get the news out about amusement - running the ground breaking site CasBox.com where he syndicated the early Stinger. He coined the name feeling that the report was like a Stinger Missile against the usual industry BS! The report is also known by some as the ‘Stringer Report’ - not a typo - but alluding to the way some magazines have used news broken by TSR, as if we are their stringer reporter.
who writes it?
A small group of compilers are supported by internationally placed sources located across the globe - some embedded in major amusement and entertainment concerns. The final copy is written up and circulated though a subsidiary of the consultancy KWP. A number of individuals play editor dependant on availability and workload - if you want to share information please drop a mail to editor@thestingerreport.com - this is the same address to use if you have a press release or announcement you need included in the report.
why do you write it?
In 1993 a group of fairly young industry members gathered at Olympia for the annual Amusement Trade show, during the event it was obvious that certain corporate executives openly knew more about a certain industry situation, spouting one story to trade while only sharing the real information amongst their cadre of friends and hangers on. So sickened by this behavior and abuse of position the members agreed not to keep secrets but to fairly share any news and try and break the 'old boys club' mentality that permitted video amusement and get the word out about a thrilling industry - the rest is history!
what is the difference between your coverage and the trade magazines?
A trade publication offers a non contentious and 100% verifiable reportage of industry matters, representing press releases and interviews, all supported by advertisers who want uncritical commentary. The stinger' reports what it sees and what it hears, trying as best as possible for confirmation - but when we get it wrong we stand up and admit our fault, explaining how this happened - if you feel we are wrong on a subject... tell us and we will gladly put the record straight where we can (for more detail please read our Disclaimer with every report).
what markets do you report about?
Primarily TSR covers the Out-of-Home interactive entertainment industry including amusement and interactive attractions, eater-tainment, location-based entertainment, vender-tainment, edutainment, exer-gaming and serious gaming - ranging from technology, trends and developers.
how many reports a month are circulated?
The average is four stinger e-newsletter emailed each month, though as the industries covered gain momentum we are seeing a rise in monthly issues.
how do I get my copy?
Go here! or drop us a email saying you want to join the over 3,000 subscribers! (all email addresses are kept confidential)
how do I get old copies of past stinger issues?
The Stinger sells a CD with a years worth of e-newsletters for your enjoyment. We also run a 'Find It' service where if you have a particular subject or coverage you need to get we will find it for you... for a moderate fee!
how do I advertise in the stinger reports and on the web site?
Just email editor@thestingerreport.com and ask us to send you our Rate Card.
can I include Stinger stories in my mag or web site?
As long as we are correctly attributed (name, logo and link to where the news came from) we are pretty cool. Include more representations of Stinger stories and we would like to give formal permission - just email us for that. Our coverage is syndicated in a special format for SPOnG.com and a new syndicated Mini-Stinger and News Brief for other web pages and Blogs.
HISTORY
The Stinger Report is an industry Intelligence Product, compiling material provided by a collection of individuals and various other official and unofficial sources. Collecting, sifting and rummaging for credible rumour, speculation, and insight into what is hot in video amusement and attractions. Focused on getting the dirt first, the report also passes along reports and leaks if they seem credible. Obviously we collect unsubstantiated information, and make no apology for disseminating it. We treat the reader of the report as a grownup and place the information for them to make up their own minds (no spoon feeding).
That said, the Stinger Report is basking in a very high success rate in hitting the mark (back issues of the report are available at this site). This success rate is partially due to a good number of inside sources within key International manufactures and their satellites, but also thanks to the Asian fan sites that supply 'location test' reports of games under evaluation, or information gleamed when unwitting R&D managers are grilled over the net or in person about their latest projects. Result: here, unlike the pages of the industry's establishment trade press, you can learn what's really going on, well in advance of the official confirmations that typically follow weeks or even months after the fact.
The Stinger Report hopes to bring the same hard-hitting scoops in coin-op that alternative ‘snoopers’ in the consumer game industry have achieved -- Welcome - Enjoy - and if you want to comment or contribute please email us editor@thestingerreport.com
Now FREE subscription for all – just follow the ‘Subscription’ link, and add your email address to receive your copy! If you are interested in Advertising in the e-Newsletter or web pages just email for our Rate Card. |
