Abstract: A video graphics generator 30 is provided for a video system such as an amusement machine which includes a video display device 18, user operable input devices 14, 16, 17 and a system controller 20 which is responsive to the user input devices and outputs video signals for driving the display device. The video graphics generator comprises a control unit responsive to an absence of operation of the user input means for a predetermined length of time to interrupt the video signals output by the system controller for at least a predetermined interval and to substitute alternative video signals for display on the video display device. An intermediate connector 27 for a standard interface between the system controller other elements of the video system can be used to sense signals for determining when to interrupt the normal video signals from the system controller.