What is the Video Game Capital of the World?

Cash Box Magazine
Chicago, IL
April 2, 1983

Question? What is the video game capital of the World?

Answer -- By official proclamation on Saturday, March 19, Ottumwa, Iowa! This all came about through the efforts of Walter Day of Twin Galaxies Arcade in Ottumwa and the cooperation of Atari, AGMA, Iowa's Governor Branstad and Ottumwa's Mayor Jerry Parker.

Walter Day held a "video olympics" at the Twin Galaxies, which was widely publicized, including a beautiful spread in Life Magazine. The project began gathering momentum. Glenn Braswell, AGMA's executive director, then picked up the ball by contacting the White House in hopes that the president might possibly participate in the proclamation ceremonies. (President Reagan reporedly got his first radio job in Iowa).

The response from the White House was very enthusiastic, the only deterring factor being the time element involved; but Glenn was assured there would be some kind of back-up from Capitol Hill. Atari arranged to have representatives in Ottumwa to present a plaque and trophy to Day and Mayor Parker, officially proclaiming Ottumwa as the "video game capital of the world."

Remember, this is not metropolitan New York or downtown Los Angeles, but Ottumwa, Iowa --- Main St. U.S.A. is the site of Twin Galaxies.

This entire series of events can do nothing but enhance the industry's image. We must commend Atari, AGMA day and all of the good people who contributed their energies to the project.

The proclamation ceremonies were highlighted by a festive parade (co-honoring St. Patrick's Day and the video game industry), with governmental officials, along with Atari's Don Osborne, AGMA's Braswell (both of whom officiated at the presentation) and lots of happy paraders joining in!