For this week's cover story on video games, TIME staff members not only interviewed manufacturers, distributors, arcade operators and scores of gamesters, they also displayed exceptional dedication as they took on their story subject face to face. Los Angeles Correspondent Jeff Melvoin was especially enthusiastic: "I played every game I could get my hands on and dropped a fast $65 in the process." Chicago's Steven Holmes wrestled with several games and concluded: "My reflexes have improved, though I can't say my mind has expanded a whole lot."
In Winter Park, Fla., it took...