An update on Golden Tee Live 2011 and Incredible Technologies again named one of Chicago's best companies to work for

We’ve got some Incredible Technologies news today and with that we’ll start off with the company winning an award. That award is from the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) who has named IT one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. This is the third consecutive year the company has won this recognition and it’s even better for them as this is the company’s 25th anniversary. The press release for this can be found after the post break

To further celebrate their milestone we have received more information on IT’s flagship title, Golden Tee LIVE 2011. 5 new courses have been revealed for the 2011 edition, which are always important for GT players but for operators, IT has three new features they have put into the game to help generate extra revenue. These include: Golden Tees (allows the player to move their tee shot anywhere in the tee box; players can purchase bags of Golden Tees for .50¢, $1 or $2 and the operator gets half of that); Anytime/Anywhere Youtube shots (builds on the previous Youtube uploading feature but allows any shot to be uploaded – costs .50¢ if the player wants, operator keeps half); New Balls and Club Sets (players can purchase a wide range of clubs, if they wish. Again operator keeps half). Microtransactions aren’t new in the arcade industry but as far as such features go I haven’t seen them work quite like this before. As long as they keep stuff like this optional for players then it should remain as a nice way to enhance revenue from the game.

Golden Tee 2011 ships the last week of September 2010. As with other IT games we expect a low, competitive price on this (GT2010 can be purchased for around $3500 right now) and kits are available on top of that. More details, including screenshots, can be found in the press release after the break.

1st press release:

IT owners Elaine and Richard Hodgson

Incredible Technologies Named One of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

(July 26, 2010 – Arlington Heights, IL) For the third consecutive year Incredible Technologies (IT), the country’s largest manufacturer of coin-operated video games, was named one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR).

Incredible Technologies earned the award based on a range of criteria that includes diversity, work-life balance, compensation and benefits, employee education, retention, and community initiative. Best and Brightest winners are selected by an independent market research company and an independent panel of judges.

IT is the maker of Golden Tee Golf, the most successful coin-operated video game in entertainment history. Recently IT has diversified into the development of mobile entertainment such as iPhone apps, home video games for the Wii console system, and casino gaming, namely its new line of Magic Touch® video slot, poker, and keno games.

Incredible Technologies, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, employees 140 people. According to Cory Christensen, IT’s director of human resources, winning the award for three years straight reflects the company’s core philosophy: namely, that an employee-friendly atmosphere fosters success in every facet of business.

“A productive, satisfied, invested employee is the best kind to have,” she said. “Our three-peat indicates that our owners have been successful in making sure every employee knows the value that both their job and person bring to our company.”

IT has recently received other awards as well. Although still in testing at various casinos, Magic Touch has already received an industry award for its innovative technology. And president/CEO Elaine Hodgson—a former NASA scientist turned video game designer/entrepreneur—was recently honored with a “Great Women of Gaming” award by a leading gaming industry trade publication.

IT will formally accept its Best and Brightest award at NABR’s August 2nd ceremony, to be held at the Oak Brook Marriot.

SIDEBAR

Incredible Technologies recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala party held at Arlington International Racecourse. The employees surprised owners Elaine Hodgson and Richard Ditton with individual mementoes as well as a 25th anniversary poster signed by all the employees.

After receiving their gifts, Elaine and Richard thanked their employees for their hard work, creativity and dedication.

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2nd Press release:

Just What the Doctor Ordered – Golden Tee LIVE 2011

New Courses to Give Industry Much-needed Booster Shot

Update Scheduled to Ship at End of September

Incredible Technologies has a sure-fire remedy for ailing cashboxes: the Golden Tee LIVE 2011 new courses update. And the geniuses at IT aren’t just applying a temporary bandage – they’re curing the disease, not just the symptoms.

“We have the cure!” proclaimed Don Pesceone, senior vice-president of sales. “It’s a tried and true formula for success that works every time. Just install the 2011 GT update and you’ll start feeling better immediately. It’s an amazing wonder drug that’s been around for over 20 years and it just keeps on working.”

Any Time Is Tee Time!

The Golden Tee 2011 theme “Any Time Is Tee Time” addresses how Golden Tee players incorporate the game into their lifestyles.

Weekdays or weekends. Day or night. Rain or shine.

There’s always time for Golden Tee.

Golden Tee players are loyal and passionate about their favorite game,” Pesceone said. “Operators are fortunate that they can count on an immediate up tick in game play as soon as the courses are installed. In most cases the ROI for updates is just a matter of weeks, and when one factors in our 12-month, no interest payment plan, this is just the prescription for success that the doctor ordered.”

5 New Courses

The new courses are always the update’s top attraction and this year is no exception. The 2010 courses were the most popular since the debut of Golden Tee LIVE and IT wants to keep the momentum going with 2011. According to Pesceone the 2011 courses promise the same recipe of incredible graphics, compelling game play and scintillating gimmicks that have defined Golden Tee since 1989 – and that keep players returning to the game.

“We continue to provide players with an entertainment experience that they can’t get at home,” he said. “And the beneficiaries of this unique and addictive play are our operators and their locations. 2011 will be huge.”

Alpine Run – Set in the shadow of the Swiss Alps with the Matterhorn looming in the distance, Alpine Run features majestic mountain lakes, stunning waterfalls, towering trees and smushy snow. Breath taking elevation changes will make this course one that Golden Tee fans will never forget.

Falcon Sands – Play golf among the ruins of ancient Egypt! The pyramids aren’t only there for decoration purposes – they’re part of the course itself!

Besides the pyramids, Falcon Sands features monuments, statues, camels and, of course, the biggest sand trap in the history of Golden Tee!

Grizzly Flats – This links-style course is not completely devoid of trees, but the rolling fairways and deep bunkers will have players thinking more of the Scottish moors than the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

Laurel Park – Set in the Bois de Boulogne near the Eiffel Tower, no one has ever played golf in Paris like this! Players who attempt to shave strokes by navigating the many shortcuts of this challenging layout will encounter water hazards and intricately cut sand traps. A Golden Tee player’s dream course!

Timber Bay – The Pacific Ocean is the backdrop for this amazing course set near the coastal cliffs of Cape Arago Oregon. The pines are thick and plentiful and the ocean views will have players coming back to this course over and over.

New Revenue for Operators

The Golden Tee design team views the annual new courses update as an opportunity to increase revenue for operators – and not just through increased game play. Hole ‘n’ Win, live tournament play, closest-to-the-pin contests and custom balls and clubs were all developed with the goal of providing operators with new sources of revenue.

This year is no exception. Here are 3 new ways operators will profit from Golden Tee LIVE 2011:

Golden Tees – Players can now customize their tee shots by buying special Golden Tees. When using a Golden Tee, a player can move his tee shot anywhere within the tee box and he can tee it higher or lower. These tees will be very important for navigating tee shots based on obstacles and hazards that may come into play. Bags of tees are available for $ .50, $1.00 and $2.00 and operators will share in half of the revenue.

Anytime/Anywhere YouTube Shots – Now there’s no need for players to wait until they hit a great shot to have it uploaded to YouTube. This new features allows players to upload and share any shot they hit! And they will pay $ .50 for the privilege. Operators will receive half the revenue from this exciting new feature!

New Balls and Club Sets – In the past only the newest sets of clubs and balls were available for purchase by players. With Golden Tee LIVE 2011, players will have the option of buying any of the previously released sets of clubs and balls as well as the new sets for 2011. New players will find this feature especially valuable and operators will share in this revenue 50/50.

“Operators will be very pleased with these new revenue-producing features,” said Pesceone. “The Golden Tee design team, led by Brian Jandula and award-winning designer Jim Zielinski, has really outdone themselves. These features are new, different and just what Golden Tee players want in their game. Order your updates today!”

Shipping Information

Golden Tee LIVE 2011 is scheduled to ship the last week of September. Operators are urged to contact their sales representative or the IT Sales Hotline at 800.262.0323 x 106 to make sure they’re order is included in the first shipment.

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