Bay Tek Entertainment
{{Short description|American arcade game manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bay Tek Entertainment
| logo = Bay Tek Entertainment logo v2.jpg
| former_name = Bay-Tek, Inc (1977-2005)
Bay Tek Games (2005-2018)
| type =
| industry = Arcade game
Video games
| fate =
| successor =
| foundation = {{start date and age|1977}}
| founder =
| location = Pulaski, Wisconsin
| key_people = Larry Treankler (Chairman)
| products = Video game software
| parent =
| website = {{URL|baytekent.com}}
}}
Bay Tek Entertainment is an American arcade game manufacturer based in Pulaski, Wisconsin.{{Cite web |title=Bay Tek Games acquires Dimensional Branding Group |url=https://kidscreen.com/2018/01/04/bay-tek-games-acquires-dimensional-branding-group/ |access-date=2022-03-23}}{{Cite web |title=Now You Can Score Big at Home, Thanks to this Wisconsin Business |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2020/12/05/skee-ball-at-home-wisconsin-business |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}} The company specializes in ticket redemption and carnival themed games.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-21 |title=Amusement Expo packs record attendance to meet post pandemic customer demand |url=https://www.vendingtimes.com/articles/amusement-expo-packs-record-attendance-to-meet-post-pandemic-customer-demand/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.vendingtimes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-05 |title=Imperial partners with Bay Tek Entertainment on home arcade Skee-Ball |url=https://www.vendingtimes.com/news/imperial-teams-with-bay-tek-entertainment-on-home-arcade-skee-ball/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.vendingtimes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-03-06 |title=Bay Tek Entertainment introduces Minions Carnival Chaos |url=https://www.vendingtimes.com/news/bay-tek-entertainment-introduces-minions-carnival-chaos/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.vendingtimes.com |language=en}}
History
Bay Tek was founded in 1977 by Larry Treankler in his father's basement.{{Citation |last=Dutes |first=Sheldon |title=Made in Wisconsin: Bay Tek Entertainment |date=2020-02-01 |url=https://www.wisn.com/article/made-in-wisconsin-bay-tek-entertainment/30735416 |access-date=2022-03-23 |language=en}} The company's early games were rolldown type games before they diversified to other redemption game genres.
In 1995, they released their first non-rolldown redemption game, Star Shooter. The next year, Bay Tek started to release alley rollers as well, which included titles like Basket Fever, Bustin’ Balloons, Bug Bash, and eventually Fire Ball.
In 1997, Bay-Tek acquired Coin Concepts, whose titles include Home Run Hitter and Six Gun Saloon. Two years later, Bay-Tek acquired New Mexico-based Seidel Amusements, best known for Smokin' Token, Goin Rollin, Wonder Wheel, Horsin' Around, and Hitter's Rally. Bay-Tek eventually acquired Meltec Inc (best known for Big Mouth){{Cite web |title=BayTek Finalises Purchase of Meltec Inc. |url=https://www.highwaygames.com/arcade-news/baytek-finalises-purchase-of-meltec-inc-1073/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Highway Games |language=en-AU}} & South Carolina-based Victory Lane Ideas (creators of Stock Car Challenge).{{Cite web |title=BayTek Acquires Assets of Victory Lane Ideas |url=https://www.highwaygames.com/arcade-news/baytek-acquires-assets-of-victory-lane-ideas-1438/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Highway Games |language=en-AU}}
In February 2016, Bay Tek Games acquired Skee-Ball Amusement Games, Inc. from Joe Sladek; inheriting titles like the legacy Skee-Ball rights, as well as Super Shot, Tower of Power, and Spin-N-Win.{{Cite web |last=Bollier |first=Jeff |title=Bay Tek Games scores Skee-Ball |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2016/02/27/bay-tek-skee-ball/81001008/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Green Bay Press-Gazette |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Pulaski's Bay Tek Games Inc. buys Skee-Ball |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/money/companies/2016/02/25/pulaskis-bay-tek-games-inc-buys-skee-ball/80956642/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Green Bay Press-Gazette |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bollier |first=Jeff |title=Arcade classic Skee-Ball finds home in Pulaski |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/money/2016/06/03/skee-ball-bay-tek/84497632/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Green Bay Press-Gazette |language=en-US}} And eventually acquired Dimensional Branding Group few years later.
Notable products
- Axe Master{{Cite web |last=Hampton |first=Holly |title=GAMES |url=https://www.baytekent.com/games/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Bay Tek Entertainment |language=en-US}}
- Flappy Bird
- Connect Four
- Connect Four Hoops
- HyperNova
- Lil Ticket Monsters
- Pop the Lock
- Prize Hub
- Skee-Ball
- Whistle Stop (based on the 1946 film of the same name)
- Super Shot
- Quik Drop
- Grand Piano Keys
- Big Bass Wheel
- Ticket Monster
- Full Tilt
- Rock the Rim
- Sink It
- Spin-N-Win
- Willy Crash
- Tower of Tickets (with Elaut Group)
References
{{reflist}}
Category:1977 establishments in Wisconsin
Category:Companies based in Wisconsin
{{US-manufacturing-company-stub}}