After the crash, a new type of venue emerged as the dominant force in coin operated video games, the family entertainment center.  No longer just video games, but a mix of mini golf, redemption games, food counters and more, this new destination would prove an ever evolving type of business very much at the whims of a fickle public.

Our guest, Ed Pearson, navigated these tempestuos waters for almost 15 years as manager of the legendary Seattle Funplex before moving on to ever bigger facilities as the family entertainment business continued to evolve past its arcade roots.  

 

Recorded June 2022.

 

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Links:

https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920328&slug=1483450

https://www.facebook.com/vanishingseattle/posts/tbt-seattle-funplex-this-entertainment-center-in-industrial-interbaymagnolia-on-/1352717244807560/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/loz6y7/growing_up_in_90s_seattle_if_you_know_you_know/

https://abandonedsoutheast.com/2019/01/07/wild-waters/

https://www.ssprd.org/Family-Sports-Center

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Park_(amusement_park)

https://enchanted.com/

 

Early images of Funplex

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ceFN29QT_UMCc73YjtsXEppW3rdXFmBd?usp=share_link

 

Music including/mentioning Funplex

https://youtu.be/xRH6I8baK7o

https://youtu.be/xu81F0Je00c

 

Interviews mentioning Funplex

https://www.cbr.com/mortal-kombat-legends-joel-mchale-johnny-cage-interview/

https://www.thestranger.com/pullout/2012/03/14/13017971/how-i-survived-not-making-any-money-in-the-music-industry

 

Copyright 2023 Karl Kuras