Just as the amusement scene gears up for the 2008 season, a large number of new developments from Asian factories are fielded on the streets. Companies such as Konami shows a new horseracing Satellite Terminal (ST) system, but sees shares impacted by consumer woes while SNK-Playmore and Capcom make moves on their next releases delayed for the AM-Show. SEGA reveals installation plans for their unique 4-D immersive theatre into the mid-sized amusement machine sector – and finally, Golden Tee golf appears in a unique amusement crossover.
The big Asian amusement season is slipping into the winter holidays, but there is still a lot to be reported. The Stinger correspondents in the area send a snapshot of news and site testing from the leading factories:
Konami Digital Entertainment
The ubiquitous KDE Satellite Terminal (ST) was launched in field testing over October with a brand new game. A Tokyo facility had the first appearance of 'Horseriders' (Proprietary Hardware), the four-terminal, and one audience station horse racing game. The system falls directly into competition with SEGA's 'Derby Owners Club' system, though on a smaller scale. Players' collect special IC cards (e-AMUSEMENT PASS) and then accumulates a stable of premium racehorses – based on actual champions from the Japanese racing scene. Building much on what has been seen with 'Baseball Heroes' ST series from KDE, the game includes training and racing elements, horse cards dispensed in foil packets – supported by the Japanese Horse Racing association.
The appearance of this game will start an arms battle with SEGA. Already sources talk of the launch of the latest in the medal and video series of SEGA horseracing games ('Star Horse 2 Third Evolution' and 'Derby Owners Club 2008: Feel the Rush'). KDE's title is significantly different in some respects to either of the SEGA horseracing titles, but still could be interpreted as a competitor. The need for the game to run with the e-AMSUEMENT package will limit opportunities for it to receive wide international penetration, but still offers a tantalizing glimpse of the popularity of a fully connected tournament environment.
The reality of the Japanese amusement sector was however brought into sharp relief with the news that Konami shares had fallen ¥200, or 5.9 per cent, to ¥3,190 (approximately $27.74), this event caused by the announcement of the delay in the release of the consumer game franchise 'Metal Gear Solid 4' for the Sony PlayStation 3 hardware platform. The movement to a 2008 launch date was enough to greatly affect the respected share price. No matter successful amusement and exer-gaming business, console gaming still rules market opinion.
SNK-Playmore
The latest in the Samurai Showdown sword brawler series was not present at AM Show in Japan last month; the new Type-X licensed hardware slasher has however started to appear on the street of the Japanese amusement scene. 'Samurai Spirits Sen' (Type-X²) was seen in the Taito VIEWLIX cabinet. Many of the fan sites were surprised by the appearance of the game – foretold as far back as 2006 by the Stinger, but had been absent from JAMMA'07. Video of the test system has already whetted the appetite of visitors to the SNK fan sites, though no official statement has been received by SNK-Playmore towards release (inside or out of Japan).
News Story with thanks to Kevin Williams. Part 2 of this story will be available shortly. Please visit
www.thestingerreport.com for others.
