Game Gallery Amusements

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

A wealth of new penny slot
themes spanning all IGT (NYSE: IGT) product lines and a new Trimline machine
that applies AVP(R) technology to for-sale machines will be among the "must-
sees" at the IGT booth during the Global Gaming Expo Sept. 13-15 at the Las
Vegas Convention Center.
IGT will also officially kick off its silver anniversary as a company
in 2006, which will be reflected in its Global Gaming Expo booth theme this
year.
"Based on the phenomenal popularity of low-denomination games, we'll
showcase the strength of our penny products by unveiling new game titles
across all of our product lines," said Steve Morro, President of IGT's Gaming
Group. "We'll have close to 400 gaming machines in the IGT booth with a
dazzling array of configurations: our highly successful 5-reel slots and video
slots with up to 100 paylines, and penny themes on our Fort Knox(R) and Party
Time!(R) Multi Level Progressives, Wheelionaire(TM) Mega-Mystery Progressive,
MultiWay(TM), Reel Touch(R) games and video slot products. It's going to be a
spectacular way to set the stage for our company's silver anniversary
celebration."
Among the new Perfect for Pennies(TM) themes IGT will introduce are Great
White(TM), King Cheetah(TM), Persian Princess(TM), Beachcomber(TM), Great
Plains(TM), South Pacific(TM), Double Bunger(TM) and Heart of Africa(TM).
IGT video slots will showcase a number of new titles: Jewel of Arabia(TM),
Lucky Lion Fish(TM), Festival Fantastico(TM), Henry the 8th(TM), Sneeki
Tiki(TM), Brew Ha Ha(TM) and Wild Goose Chase(TM).
IGT's S2000(TM) spinning reel slots will, as always, be well represented
by new themes on 5-reel slots including Five Times Pay(TM) and Triple
Strike(R); on multi-line, multi-coin, 3- and 4-reel games (Double 4 Times
Pay(TM), Triple Red Hot 7s(TM) and Triple Double Butterfly 7s(TM)); and on the
new Double Reels slots (Double Diamond Extra(TM), Reel Charms(TM), Super Wild
Cherry(TM) and Triple Stars Red, White & Blue(TM)).
The MultiWay(TM) product -- which allows players to buy reel positions
rather than wagering on standard line patterns -- will include three
"treasured" themes: Aztec Temple(TM), Pharaoh's Gold(TM) and Troy(TM).
Several new titles have been added under the Reel Touch(R) banner: It's All
Greek To Me(TM), Bobble Times(TM), Cash Cove(TM) and El Toro(TM).
IGT's Multi Level Progressive products will include the three existing
themes -- Fort Knox(R), Party Time!(R) and Wheelionaire(TM) -- and two
distinct new ones: Soul Train(TM) and Jackpot Hunter(TM). Several new games
will be introduced within each of those MLP themes.
The MegaJackpots(TM) products will include two new versions of the Star
Wars(TM) video slot, Wheel of Fortune(R) Special Edition(TM) Super Spin(TM), a
new Megabucks(R) variation featuring actress Morgan Fairchild, World Poker
Tour(TM), Back to the Future(TM), Elvis(R) Multi Strike(TM), and Paul
Rodriguez(TM).
IGT's Class II and Central Determination products will include 3/5/10
Multi-Hand Poker(TM), Sea-Monkeys(R), Denver Duck(TM) and 5-reel Wheel of
Fortune(R); and Instant Bingo themes like ALIEN(TM) and Snow Globes(TM).
Barcrest USA will weigh in with several new themes, among them AVP(R) and
5-reel stepper variations of Neptune's Exploration, Inc.(TM), Temple of
Treasure(TM) and Match & Win(TM).
Under the Action Gaming banner, look for several new video poker themes
including Double Raise Texas Hold 'Em(TM), All Star Poker(TM) and Opponent
Poker(TM).
IGT's Trimline AVP(R) machine is a new cabinet design with features that
include an enhanced player button layout, an improved audio board, a cabinet
that is designed for the AVP(R) and Game King(R) platforms (depending on the
jurisdiction), and unique player ergonomics.
IGT will also feature its new sb(TM) products for server-based gaming
applications including the sb system and sb machines which allow a casino to
download entire games and configure game themes on any of its gaming machines.
The Trimline sb(TM) AVP(R) machine displays the game theme on its digital
glass.
The IGT Advantage(TM) system will preview the future of table game
automation with the new Intelligent Table System(TM). Using RFID technology,
Intelligent Table System(TM) will enhance players' Bonusing experience and
significantly improve the efficiency and profitability of table games. IGT
Advantage(TM) system will also feature the Advantage Club Kiosk(TM), its
Bonusing(TM) technology, and Loot 66(TM), the Loyalty Game theme that combines
the power of player clubs with a multi-line, multi-coin game.
International Game Technology (http://www.IGT.com) is a global company
specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales
of computerized gaming machines and systems products.

If You Like DDR, You May Love this Excellent Atlernative!
By dlbman22

September 3, 2005 - Though my only recent experience with the series was last week with Exceed 2 (my first time playing that version), I must say that the home version (or CS, whatever you prefer) is excellent! Let's start with the interface. The whole theme of it just screams of awesomess from the main menus to the music select screen, but this is expected from the PIU series. The heavy bass drum beats that play along in the menus really gets you, for the lack of a better word, pumped! This, as far as the interface is concerned, just seals the deal when compared to ITG's generic interface and can be placed next to DDR's (5th Mix to MAXes and not counting EX US!). As for the pad, IMO it has to be the best pack-in pad that I've ever played on! It's not a Red Octane or Cobalt Flux but it gets the job done. The pad hardly slips when playing some hard level songs (though this may change when I decide to play crazy level songs), and very responsive. I must say that that surprised me! It's not all perfect, though. There are flaws when it comes to navigating the menus with the pad. Can't really blame it considering the source but as veteran PIU players may know, the arcade version doesn't have buttons on the machine a la DDR for menu navigation and song selection alone so the pad must be used. It's not consistant; between the arrows are seperate directions (up, down, left, and right) for ONLY the menu navigation. This boggled me since down-left and down-right were the navigation buttons for everything in the arcade. Those same buttons work for ONLY the music selection in the CS release. Speaking of that, it may be only me but selecting your songs is a chore. The center button confirms the song and the upper buttons changes the list of music and a cobination of them all are used for modifications, but the reason for it being cumbersome is because 80% of the time you're standing on the center button while doing it all. I tried placing my feet horizontally between the arrows but the gap, depending on foot size and I have big feet mind you, is too small so you may still hit either button by mistake. And why oh why hasn't Andamiro gone the DDR route and show difficuty levels BEFORE you make the first selected song confirmation and have mod options instead of relying on button codes? But all of this (except the small gap thing) was originally in the arcade to begin with so if you can deal with it there, you're right at home here. The music? There's a craplaod!! The back of the box claims to have 101 songs in all (no beating around the bush with your "65+ songs and over 100 minutes of music!" DDR!), way more than individual US DDR releases and ITGs, but you have to unlock a majority of them of course. Some are right there for you to see on the song wheel but darkened along with the unlock method scroolling on the bottom of the screen. The list of music ranges from Banya songs, K-Pop songs, and Pop songs. As I said earlier, I experienced Exceed 2 recently and I think all of the songs from that version made it on this release (but feel free to correct me on this one). There's even a few old "new" songs not in the arcade such as "Rappers Delight", "Groove", and "The Name of the Game". The songs are of varying quality and some are an aquired taste *cough* "Deux" *cough*. In short, a song you may consider a "dud" may be another person's favorite. You may even find some songs that DDR used in a way (can you spot the song where "V" originated from?). All the songs in PIU fashion have their own videos varying from 2D animations and FMV and they are in execellent quality! Especially "The Name of the Game" video (the one with the nose for a head). It's like you're watching actual high resolution, DVD quality footage unlike with DDR's music videos which can be low-res and somewhat grainy. Sound quality is great since now I can easily hear song lyrics coming from my own room and not background noise along with it from other arcade games. Overall, if you're a fan of dancing games (and if you're reading this, you are!) and K-Pop, I reccommend this game a worthy buy. If you're not a fan because you're a J-Pop fanatic (IMO they both have their good and bad points)and four diagonal arrows with a center button without options for vivids scare you, well, it'll definately tide you over for the 27 days until the release of DDR EX2.

Lindsey PilcherOf the Suburban Journals
News Democrat Journal
08/31/2005
To Herb Enzmann of Hillsboro pinball machines have personality.They talk to him in computerized voices, taunting him with the phrases they are programmed to repeat.He has a hospital for the sick ones, where he can repair their scoreboards or slingshot mechanisms.Enzmann's 18 pinball machines have birth dates, ranging from the early '70s to his youngest, made in 1994.
He calls the first pinball machine he ever owned "a basket case," indicating the machine had some severe emotional problems.The pinball machines reside in Enzmann's basement, where he repairs the sick ones after work, sometimes for hours."My wife says, ‘How can you stay down there?'" Enzmann said. "Hours go by. It's unbelievable."Enzmann started collecting the machines three years ago, and although his wife doesn't quite get his fascination, she doesn't disapprove."My wife told me, ‘You know what, you could do a lot worse,'" Enzmann said of his hobby. "When I hear her foot slam on the floor, I know it's dinnertime."Enzmann did get in a little trouble with his wife when he bought a pinball machine with a female weightlifter theme.‘It's supposed to be about weightlifting, but the sounds it makes….." Enzmann said, shaking his head. "The guy I got that from, his wife made him get rid of it. He brought his friends over to play that sleazy machine. It doesn't sound like weightlifting."Enzmann prefers the family-oriented machines that he can play with his grandson, Jordan. The Slugfest machine is the most played of the bunch. While Enzmann pitches, Jordan uses the flippers to bat, and he can also steal bases. An umpire heckles the batter with phrases like "You couldn't hit water if you fell off a boat." The crowd cheers, and vendors in the background sell programs and ice cream."It's exactly like a ball game if you listen to the sound effects," Enzmann said. "It's cool. How could you not like it?"Jordan's favorite pinball game is "Nightmare on Elm Street." At only 7 years old, he's never seen the horror flick, but the game has some great effects.What is his favorite one?"Whenever it shoots balls out of (Freddy's) mouth," Jordan said.Enzmann's favorites are the older ones, the "electro-mechanical ones," with Western themes. He also has a "Nip It" pinball machine similar to the one characters played on "Happy Days." The "Charlie's Angels" machine doesn't work, and it will likely go the way of the weightlifter machine. Enzmann plans to get rid of both to make room for more machines."It's getting to the point where I have to get tired of one and get rid of it to get another," Enzmann said.His basement, which looks like a game room with a couch and several chairs, is full of hidden closets, and behind every door there's a sick machine that needs medical attention.Enzmann said he picks up most of his machines by word of mouth. Somebody's friend's cousin will have an old pinball machine and tell Herb about it. He's also been to Pennsylvania, Ohio and Chicago to pick up games. His blue pick-up truck has a sticker advertising that he's looking for more pinball machines.Enzmann pays anywhere from $40 to $200, and they all come to him sick."It comes completely apart," Enzmann said. "I'll go through every switch, every relay. It's fascinating."Enzmann's pinball machine collection makes his house a popular place for family get-togethers. When his friends are over, they always end up downstairs with the pinball machines.Despite his thorough knowledge of all things pinball, Enzmann can be beat. He said he even has trouble beating his grandson in a game.And when he goes to a restaurant, he doesn't even bother with the pinball machines."I think, I'd rather be playing the ones I have at home," Enzmann said.

By MARK HARPER Education Writer Last update: September 05, 2005 ORLANDO --

Growing up in Daytona Beach Shores, Bob Simon only saw the ocean during morning hours.
The sun's glare was about the only thing that kept him from his video games. He doesn't have that problem today.

By the numbers
75Percent of heads of households who play computer or video games.
32Percent of parents who play games with their children weekly.
63Percent of parents who believe games are a positive part of their children's lives.
SOURCES: Entertainment Software Association2005 Sales, Demographics and Usage Data

Did you know?
Although some studies show that playing video games can lead to obesity and aggressive behavior in children and teens, other studies suggest there are some benefits from video games.
· Playing video games can ease pain and distract the attention of patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
· Children with learning disabilities can develop spatial ability from playing video games.
· People with arm injuries can use the games to increase their strength and dexterity.
· A popular dance game may help children with attention- deficit/hyperactive disorder and reading problems gain the ability to memorize words better and break them down into syllables. The same game provides exercise that help obese children lose weight.
— Compiled by News ResearcherPeggy Ellis
SOURCES: The Charleston Gazette;British Medical Journal Simon, 23, has discovered a place that's kept dark at all times. Better yet, he's found a place where his passion for video games is his homework. He is one of 13 students at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, a graduate program that started last month at the University of Central Florida.
"I love the program," Simon said. "I've been to public schools, private schools, home school and two colleges. So far . . . I love it."
The university and city of Orlando have spent $6 million renovating a space in the former Orlando Expo Centre, across Livingston Street from the TD Waterhouse Centre. With high, industrial ceilings, rounded hallways and dark workspaces filled with chairs and desks on wheels, the academy resembles a video game development studio.
That's exactly what it was designed to do, said Executive Director Ben Noel, who's on loan from his job as vice president and chief operating officer of Electronic Arts-Tiburon.
With studio credentials, Noel and the academy's faculty can provide an insider's perspective on the $7.3 billion industry with students eager to land jobs as game designers, programmers and producers. The UCF academy is the nation's first graduate-level program devoted solely to video game design, although the field is starting to attract interest in academia.
Full Sail School of Film, Art, Design, Music & Media Production in Winter Park is offering a bachelor's degree in game design and development, and Keiser College of Daytona Beach started a video game design associate's degree last week. Meanwhile, many other schools are offering courses in video game design.
Noel said Full Sail and Keiser are "vocational schools who at the end of the day are for-profit. The only requirement is a GED and a willingness to pay."
The UCF academy requires a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university and more.
That -- Noel hopes -- will help UCF produce industry leaders.
Electronic Arts -- or EA, the world's largest video game maker -- was expanding its Maitland studio but having difficulty finding qualified employees. Bachelor's degrees weren't proving to be the proper preparation, Noel said.
"They're not ready," he said. "They were disenchanted that they couldn't deliver."
So EA collaborated with Orlando area economic development officials and state lawmakers, who provided the first seed money, $4.7 million, in 2004.
The academy is expected to create a homegrown workforce that will feed EA, attract its competitors and generate startups, Noel said. Part of that strategy is in faculty recruitment.
Ron Weaver, a Tampa native with experience at Disney, said he enjoyed the perks of the video game design industry -- one in which people with two to five years' experience typically make between $59,000 and $77,000, according to one industry survey. But he jumped at the chance to teach at the academy.
"One of the biggest concerns I had was that there's not a lot of experimentation or risk taking (in the industry)," Weaver said. By teaching at the academy, he will have the run of the state-of-the-art studio and more opportunity to let his creative juices flow.
Meanwhile, students such as Simon are just hoping the 16-month program will help them get their big break.
mark.harper@news-jrnl.com

Press release supplied by Games Press 14:56 06/09/2005
September 6, 2005 (London, UK) -

Mr. Dave McDowell, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of GameAccount, the #1 Skill Game and P2P network supplier (www.gameaccount.com), will be providing expert opinion to Las Vegas casino executives and luminaries in the interactive gaming market at the first ever skill games conference held in Las Vegas, September 8-9, 2005.
"It is an honour to be invited by River City Group to speak at the world's first conference dedicated to Skill Gaming. GameAccount has worked hard to become the #1 provider for online sportsbooks and casinos in the Skill Gaming sector and has increased player value to an industry high," says McDowell.
Topics Mr. McDowell will present include: I-Gaming InDepth: Skill Games:
Backgammon Case Study: Thursday, September 8th, 11:45am
Conversion Strategies: Friday, September 9th, 10:00 am
The online games market is massive, with current estimations predicting it will reach $3.2 billion by 2006. GameAccount and McDowell have been at the centre of the online games industry for five years and he predicts Skill Games to be the next significant growth area in the burgeoning but increasingly saturated online gaming sector. GameAccount provides an unrivalled integrated network where players can pit their skills against fellow gamers around the world. Fast-action games in multi-player format can be played for free or in competition for as little as 40 cents. They currently promote the world's largest "SuperCash" Skill Gaming tournaments, with prize pots available from $40,000.
GameAccount has already reported a massive growth in average stake sizes, lifetime customer value and player numbers driven by unique large-scale knockout tournaments and sophisticated turn-based multiplayer games such as Backgammon, Gin Rummy, Mah Jong, Pool and a host of card, strategy and arcade games.
Sue Schneider, President and CEO of River City Group says, "Skill Gaming is one of the hottest iGaming topics at the moment so we've put together a 2-day conference dedicated to this speciality area. We've brought in leading experts to answer and discuss the issues that impact this special niche of the gaming industry."
I-Gaming InDepth Skill Games conference and will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA September 8 - 9, 2005. The two-day conference will study the specialty area of skill gaming and where they fit in the worlds of iGaming and terrestrial gaming.

September means back to school for millions of youngsters, though the beginning of a new year may put very little dent in the time many kids spend playing toxic video games replete with car jackings, explosions and shoot 'em up scenes. But the on-line launch of two new video games in safe, multi-player environments may ease the transition from crashing and burning to algebra and geometry. The launch of MoneyBEE.org and PatternBEE.org, free, on-line multi-player video games, may help revolutionize how kids in grades 2 through 8 learn basic skills. These games follow the successful launch last year of SpellBEE.org, the first-ever on-line, multi-player spelling bee, which has attracted over 25,000 users. Both new sites use the same login and password created for SpellBEE, but instead of English literacy, focus on problem-solving skills valuable for future scientists and engineers.
The games are the brainchild of computer scientist Jordan Pollack and his lab at Brandeis University, the Dynamical and Evolutionary Machine Organization (DEMO), which researches the principles of self-organization in complex systems. After many years of studying simulated evolution, Pollack and colleagues in the DEMO lab realized that these systems tend to reach equilibrium, or a fixed point, through monopoly or collusion between competitors, at which point learning stops. As part of this research, they developed theories and strategies to prevent collusion and enable continuous learning. "Most games are competitive, a zero-sum equation in which the same players always win and lose, with negative side-effects for education," explains Pollack. "But the BEE games create an entirely new incentive structure which rewards players both for success at problem-solving as well as for creating just-difficult-enough challenges for their partners, which requires ongoing assessment." In MoneyBEE, two players create traditional coin problems for each other, such as figuring out which four coins add up to 30 cents. Solving money problems uses pre-algebra skills involving number sense, arithmetic, problem solving and mental visualization. PatternBEE is a game in which the players challenge each other with geometric puzzles using a rare version of Tangrams. PatternBEE builds skills in geometry, problem-solving, pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and creativity. In a single game, the winner is the one who solves more problems correctly, while providing his opponent with problems that are neither too easy nor too hard. "Everyone becomes a winner when they have another person who motivates them to focus on solving problems just within or beyond their reach." says Pollack, who was named one of MIT Technology Review's TR 10 in 2001. At a time of rising concern about children's safety and privacy on the Internet and the corrosive effect of sex and violence in video games, these websites provide a welcome haven. To ensure privacy, the Web sites do not collect name or e-mail addresses; players simply choose a nickname for themselves. There is no "chat" or e-mail contact through the sites; players communicate only by the strategic choices they make in the game.

Reported by: Radu Nicolae
With mainstream media continuing to badmouth video games, it is good to see that some people actually look at the evidence. Several sites and magazines are quoting this article. It turns out video games are good for us.
A “Nintendo surgeon” and another research have shown that video games not only improve your reflexes and coordination but also boost many other areas of the brain.
“To the kids out there, do you homework, but please play your video games. You may be the one operating on me one day…”
Read the full article here:
http://www.technologybizdev.com/2005/08/26/eat-your-fruits-and-vegetables-and-play-video-games/
This was a great follow-up to their article on research disputing the effects of video game violence:
http://www.technologybizdev.com/2005/08/12/video-game-violence/

‘VIDEO GAMES LIVE’ COMING TO SAN DIEGO ON NOVEMBER 4

Concert Series Celebrating the Music of Video Games Will Rock San Diego Civic Theatre

Tickets on Sale Saturday, September 10

Los Angeles – September 6, 2005 – Renowned video game composers, Tommy Tallarico (Advent Rising, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Earthworm Jim) and Jack Wall (Jade Empire, Myst III: Exile, Splinter Cell), and Clear Channel Music Group today announced that Video Games Live will hit San Diego on Friday, November 4th, with tickets available on September 10. Co-executive produced by Tallarico’s and Wall’s Mystical Stone Entertainment LLC, and Clear Channel Music Group, Video Games Live features music from the world’s most popular video games performed by top orchestras and choirs across North America, combined with explosive video segments from each of the games, lasers and lights to create an exceptional, immersive entertainment experience. The national tour will begin in Seattle on October 29, and 27 additional tour dates will soon be announced for cities including New York, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia and Toronto.

“The triumphant Video Games Live show in July at the Hollywood Bowl, which drew a massive crowd of over 10,000 people, established without a doubt that the demand for this tour is huge,” said Brad Wavra, Touring Vice President for Clear Channel Music Group. “Clear Channel is thrilled to bring Video Games Live to San Diego and the rest of North America.”

Video Games Live features music from some of the world’s most popular games, including Mario™, Zelda®, Halo®, Metal Gear Solid®, Warcraft®, Myst®, Castlevania®, Medal of Honor™, Sonic™, Tron©, Tomb Raider®, Advent Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil™, Splinter Cell®, Ghost Recon™, Rainbow Six®, EverQuest® II, Kingdom Hearts, God of War™ and a classic arcade game medley featuring games from Pong® to Donkey Kong®.

“Concertgoers are going to be blown away by Video Games Live. We've created a show that the entire family will enjoy," said Tommy Tallarico, co-creator of Video Games Live and one of the top game music composers. "Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the 21st century and Video Games Live is a celebration of the incredible music, art, storylines and characters our industry has to offer."

“Video game music is not bleeps and bloops anymore. People are absolutely shocked when they hear this music,” stated Jack Wall, co-creator of Video Games Live and leading game music composer. “This music represents a true art form. The success of this tour will demonstrate to the world that video game music can command the attention of gamers and non-gamers alike.”

Tickets for the San Diego Civic Theatre performance will be available beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 10th. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster, the Video Games Live website at www.videogameslive.com and at www.AvalonAttractions.com.
For further information on the concert series or Mystical Stone Entertainment please visit http://www.videogameslive.com/ or contact us at the number below.

ABOUT MYSTICAL STONE ENTERTAINMENT:Created by two industry leading video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Mystical Stone Entertainment, LLC is a front runner in the field of live game music performance. Working with some of the top games of all time, Mystical Stone has created a unique event of music, video, lasers, lights and live action. The first 6-week tour will begin in July 2005 with a global tour to follow.

CHICAGO, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Start magazine, a trade publication that
serves 85,000 manufacturing industry leaders, today announced the finalists
for its Manufacturer of the Year Awards, which honor innovative manufacturers
that are improving the industry.
"We are thrilled to honor these American manufacturers who found ways to
remain competitive and profitable," said Peggy Smedley, editorial director of
Start magazine. "We look forward to presenting the winners with custom-made
trophies from another American manufacturer."
Each finalist has demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges, a
proven track record in job growth, improved corporate revenues and capital
investments, and a strong commitment to its workforce and community.
Winners of the Manufacturer of the Year Awards will be announced Sept. 29
at the Manufacturing and Economic Recovery Conference, hosted by Start and
held at the North Shore Hotel in Skokie, Ill. For more information about the
awards or the conference, visit http://www.startmag.com/merc or call
630-933-0844.
The finalists are listed below. Each category will have one winner.
Small (revenues less than $200 million):
ASV Inc., Grand Rapids, Minn.
CAE Inc., Hamburg, Mich.
Craftmade Intl., Coppell, Texas
ELAN Homes, Lexington, Ky.
EMF Corp., Angola, Ind.
Floyd Rose Guitars, Oakhurst, N.J.
Granite Rock Co., Watsonville, Calif.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Waterbury, Vt.
Lifeway Foods Inc., Morton Grove, Ill.
Mag Instrument, Ontario, Calif.
Martek Biosciences, Columbia, Md.
Metal Essence, Sanford, Fla.
Nutraceutical Intl. Corp., Park City, Utah
Patagonia, Ventura, Calif.
Quixote Corp., Chicago, Ill.
Russound, Newmarket, N.H.
STERN Pinball Inc., Melrose Park, Ill.
Tampa Brass & Aluminum Corp., Tampa, Fla.
Toyoda-Koki Automotive North America Inc., Morristown, Tenn.
ZymoGenetics, Seattle, Wash.
Mid-market (between $200 million and $1 billion):
American Cast Iron Pipe, Birmingham, Ala.
American Pan, Urbana, Ohio
American Pharmaceutical Partners Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
American Woodwork Corp., Winchester, Va.
Biosite Inc., San Diego, Calif.
Crown Beverage Packaging, Crawfordsville, Ind.
Cytec Corp., Marlborough, Mass.
dj Orthopedics Inc., Vista, Calif.
Delphi Electronics & Safety, Kokomo, Ind.
GenCorp., Rancho Cordova, Calif.
Headwaters Inc., South Jordan, Utah
Heaven Hills Distilleries Inc., Bardstown, Ky.
Inman Mills, Inman, S.C.
Nordson Corp., Westlake, Ohio
OMNOVA Solutions Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio
Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va.
Organic Valley Family of Farms, LaFarge, Wis.
Shure Inc., Niles, Ill.
Simpson Manufacturing, Dublin, Calif.
Skyline Inc., Elkhart, Ind.
Large (more than $1 billion):
Abbott Labs, Newark, Del.
Alcon Laboratories, Ft. Worth, Texas
Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Avon Products, New York, N.Y.
Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York, N.Y.
Colgate-Palmolive, New York, N.Y.
Dell Inc., Round Rock, Texas
Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Ind.
Genentech, San Francisco, Calif.
General Mills, Minneapolis, Minn.
Guidant, Indianapolis, Ind.
Pella Corp., Pella, Iowa
PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y.
Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y.
Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio
Remy Intl., Anderson, Ind.
Sherwin-Williams, Cleveland, Ohio
Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas
The Timberland Co., Stratham, N.H.
The Warnaco Group, New York, N.Y.
W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Newark, Del.
Wm. Wrigley Jr., Chicago, Ill.
Xilinx Inc., San Jose, Calif.