While official show figures report an increase in visitor numbers to this year's IAAPA Attractions Expo, exhibitor comments tell a different story.

Official figures released by show organiser IAAPA show preliminary registration for the show, which closes today, totalled 24,900, up on the figure for 2010, which stood at 24,000. However, while the exhibitors InterGame spoke to were relatively happy with the levels of business done at the show, the message was clear: this year the show was smaller and attracted less traffic.  

The reasons for this could be many - the global economy is the main one - but there was a noticeable drop in visitors from Europe according to some exhibitors InterGame spoke to, which is concerning given the current situation in countries such as Greece, Italy and even the UK. Perhaps a lack of UK visitors is because they are waiting for the EAG Expo in London in January. However, many exhibitors spoke of a noticeable increase in visitors from South America, which is an encouraging sign of new possibilities for business. Exhibitor-wise, there was also a noticeable increase in manufacturers from China.  

While there was some new product from the major suppliers, a lot of what was shown had already been launched at the EAS held in London at the end of September, which was slightly disappointing to see. One Russian visitor InterGame spoke to noted how three or four years ago the major players would be showing four or five new titles but this year there were only one or two from some of the manufacturers.  

In saying this, some of the new product that was presented did show some signs of innovation. Bay Tek Games' Connect Four is a very impressive piece, Sega Amusements showcased new photo booth Super Booth as well as touchscreen game Bejeweled, which is available as a ticket redemption game and has also been on test in bingo halls in the UK.

Namco presented a reworked version of a previously successful whacker game Funky Gaters Wari Wari Panic 2 and Pac-Man Battle Royal, while Adrenaline Amusements launched Infinity Blade on the Touch FX.   A full show report will appear in the December issue of InterGame. 

All new product launches will appear in December and January, for now you can view all our photos from the show via our Facebook page or online here.