Sammy
The company held the players and operators attention throughout the first day of the show. The main announcement was the declaration of war against all IC card systems, with the launch of the Atomiswave-Network (AW-Net) system. A combined player tournament system, integrated cabinet link architecture, and IC card storage platform. Direct competition with the VF.Net environment by SEGA, and the Taito NESYS systems. The AW-Net will become the tournament and network backbone to the ATOMISWAVE and other derivative platforms. The IC card will enable player customisation of their game characters. Sammy clearly borrowing from the proven technology and infrastructure of others. The upright cabinet entry system startlingly familiar as the current SEGA variant a few booths down.
One new platform to share AW-Net is the 'Atomis' (TouchNet). The news of the touchscreen system scooped by the Stinger at least two issues before even one trade publication has even realised it exists (Stinger #223). The system was previewed in its stand based variant for Asian application. Showing one of the two game experiences this focusing on a puzzle narrative. The system squarely places Sammy in the touchscreen sector with all the ramifications this holds. A desperate scramble for more internationally appropriate game content that could make use of the AW-Net feature is underway with sources to TSR talking of a possible PhotoPlay agreement in the interim.
The appearance of an 80% complete 'Guilty Gear Isuka' marked the first AW-Net game, the fighter more an enhancement of the last version released on the ATOMISWAVE, bar the new Tag feature that allowed four way brawling over the systems network architecture. A feature previously envisaged by Namco for the last Tekken, now brought into reality with this fighter. The AW-Net will compete heavily against VF4 and the whole VF.net environment, an additional slap in the face for the failed merger with Sega.
Speaking of the merger it was reported on the Sammy booth that a possibility of renegotiations to this end were leaked. The similarity in Sammy's and Sega's activities possibly a negotiation gambit that the two would find a way to revive previously collapsed merger talks. The stealing of the Naomi throne is one obvious direction. Sammy placed the ATOMISWAVE at the head of the universal platform stakes with three platform supporters launched at JAMMA. The first was SNK Playmore, already scooped again as far back as June (Stinger #195). The company agreed that the latest rendition of the King of Fighter series would be on the ATOMISWAVE and that SNKP would consider all future titles to use the architecture.
The second surprise announcement is that Capcom would be reverting from the Naomi to universal platform to the ATOMISWAVE. The continuing decline in Capcom is hoped to be reversed by an effort to focus on a non-exclusive platform and to utilise the back catalogue of this prestigious developer.
Continuing the successful completion of Capcom Vs. SNK, and the recently released SNK Vs. Capcom. The two companies have announced the ATOMISWAVE release for 2004 of 'Sammy Vs. Capcom'. The majority of the work will be done by Sammy (possibly using Arc Studios for the development).
The game will be the first for a number of Capcom properties moving across to the ATOMISWAVE, ending the need for Capcom to license the NAOMI hardware for their future releases, the situation of future System 246 games was overlooked. Whether the game will also use the new AW-Net hardware was also not confirmed.
The final (but not expected to be the only) big signing to the ATOMISWAVE was the Taiwanese company IGS. The Stinger has already covered in detail the operation (Stinger #212), but the announcement that the operation would be suspending the involvement made in their PGM multiple game cartridge amusement platform for the Sammy hardware. Though missed by a number of commentators, the announcement will see in 2004 'Knights of Valour: The Seven Spirits' will be released on the Sammy system. The game converted from
the PGM original.
Sammy itself added eight internally developed titles for the ATOMISWAVE with a new 3D brawler called 'Force Five'. The game takes on a Tekken-esque style, and hopes to establish the inroads that Guilty Gear had established. The game was only shown in a 50% completed version, more to prove commitment than an expected release for 2003, and will be using the now ubiquitous AW-Net architecture.
Other titles and releases at JAMMA 2003 were;
Taito 'Battle Gear 3 Tuned', 'ZOIDS: Infinity', 'Space Invaders Anniversary', 'Iguzeus', 'Kollon', 'Psyvariar2: The Will to Fabricate', 'Pocchitto Nyan', 'Dark Awake: The King Has No Name', SEGA 'Out Run2', 'Puyo Puyo Fever', 'Ollie King', 'Gekitou Pro Baseball', 'StarHorse Progress', Namco 'Dragon Chronicle', 'Taikou Tetsuijn 5', 'Counter-Strike Neo', Capcom 'Mobile Suit GunDam Z: Aeug Vs. Titans', 'PRIDE Grand Prix 2003' SNK Playmore 'King of Fighter 2003', 'Samurai Spirit Zero' AzureJan Sei Do', 'Battle Marine Arcade' Tecmo 'Xero'.
Full reviews and company news on the above games can be read at www.thestingerreport.com
General Observations
The main fashions highlighted by JAMMA Show 2003 were obvious cost-effective ST platforms from Namco, SEGA and Aruze. The establishment of the ATOMISWAVE and the need for tournament and network gaming. But another fashion demonstrated was the Pre-Paid Cards. As covered by the Stinger #190, in July, with SEGA's experiment with the Edy Card (demonstrated on the SEGA Booth this year). There were a number of companies on the show floor demonstrating their proximity pre paid card systems, attempting to move a number of sites in Asia into investing in their future.
As was confirmed in the previous Stinger Scoop, but seemed question by a number of individuals who should know better, Konami felt that their attendance at the Tokyo Game Show was more important than supporting their amusement releases.
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The Stinger Report is provided to Highwaygames by Kevin Williams, the publisher of "The Stinger Report". To read the full article and other industry news, please visit www.thestingerreport.com
