The Stinger Report follows up the AMOA'08 coverage with the next in the season's big amusement events, this time in Japan with the 46th Amusement Machine Show.Tthis first part of the two part report looks at the big factories, with the glitz and glamour, attracting vast crowds to prove wrong all speculation on the collapse of amusement, and presenting brand new titles that will shake the foundations of the amusement scene in the home islands and beyond.
Main REPORT:
If an example of the investment and stability that represents the Japanese amusement trade was needed, the 46th anniversary Amusement Machine Show (AM-S) was that illustration. This event is organized by the Japan Amusement Machine Manufacturers Association (JAMMA) and the Japan Association of Pleasure (JAPEA). The event (sometimes called the JAMMA-Show) was one long line of trade and public throughout the days of September.
Though a short matter of days after AMOA'08, the show was a total vindication of the popularity and vibrancy of amusement, called a lie the mis-guided consumer game media that sought to claim that amusement, especially in Japan had been vanquished by the console generation and the Nintendo Wii. The event was incredibly well attended, and further impressed on the media the growing popularity of the amusement market on the player base.
SEGA
This years JAMMA gave us a clearer demarcation of the development resources at SEGA, partly a feature of the changed financial in SGEA Sammy Group, but also because of the revelation that the company's satellites can hold their own in developing strong content. The company decorated their booth with vibrant LED displays towers.
'House of the Dead: EX' (LindBergh Hardware)
This new shooter marks the latest installment in the 'House of the Dead' series, developed by AM#1. The two-player shooter offers a cartoon style slant on the zombie blaster. The game is obviously a means to maximize the investment into their previous less than successful shooter '2 Spicy', employing the same guns, pedal and cabinet layout.
'Virtua Fighter 5: R' (LindBergh Hardware)
SEGA has a full six-cabinet set-up of the brawler update. Developed by AM#2 the new version hopes to compete with the strengthened competition from Capcom, Namco and the smaller studios. The new version, with added characters, locations and more customization features through the ALL.NET architecture, hopes to keep the brawler fresh to its fan base.
'Harley Davidson King of the Road'(LindBergh Hardware)
Marking one of the two motorbike games at JAMMA'08, the AM#1 developed Harley license represented the sequel to the 1998 'Harley Davidson & L.A. Riders' (Model 3 Step 2.0 Hardware); now available on the LindBergh hardware, with the inclusion of a bigger deluxe display, and a new compact standard cabinet. The free for all play of the original dropped for a more conventional racing play style. Able to accommodate a six-player network, four deluxe cabinets and a standard housed on the booth, which saw 45 minute waits to play, the machine is scheduled for a March 2009 release.
'HUMMER Extreme' (LindBergh Hardware)
The AM#2 developed game works on the vast 'OutRun 2 SP Special' twin-player motion base cabinet re-skinned with the Hummer styling. It was shown with the four-player, two machine network version of the off-road racing game with a boost feature - the system using the driver swapping element originated in ORS2PS, (called the 'Driver Change System'). The game was in full use at the show with a rider height restriction of over 140cms, (executives stating the game is scheduled for an April 2009 release and will be seen at IAAPA'08).
'Touch Striker' (LindBergh Hardware)
The return of the stylus in game action - not seen since the 1983 'Vectrex' Lightpen stylus game interface - and influenced by the popularity of the Nintendo Dual Screen. The player steers the action on the football pitch using a stylus to place the moves. Slides, passing, tackles and running as well as shooting controlled by various moves, using the wand. The Satellite Terminal game is supported by the ALL.NET and IC Card. Developed by AM#2, the system was presented with over eight cabinets, attempting to establish this compelling soccer game with the show audience, (planned for release by AOU'09).
'Answer x Answer 2: Network Quiz Battle' (LindBergh Hardware)
Developed by AM#1, this big presentation version was given a big place on the SEGA booth - the popular quiz and competition element of the game finding a strong following, with the latest sequel getting a lot of attention during the show.
'SEGA Rally 3' (Europa-R Hardware)
The UK developed rally title by SEGA R&D Europe had a prominent placement on the SEGA booth - the first time in SEGA's amusement history that a UK developed title was presented to the Japanese audience at this leading event. The deluxe and the first appearance of the standard twin system was on show; but with a 'For Overseas' sign on the machines; they received a strong following from the Asian players during the event.
NOTE - The Stinger had been told by a well placed source at SEGA Japan prior to the AM-Show that SEGA Rally was not planned to be shown, and that Japan sales had not proposed to have it on booth. This proved not to be the case, however the management still managed to stamp their feelings about showing the UK developed machines, with all the units placed with a 'For Overseas' notification - questioned executives saying that they had not originally planned to sell the rally game for Japanese (domestic) consideration, (this said one of the 'House of the Dead: EX' cabinets did have a similar sign?) The rally cabinets shown were not Japanese configures, their appearance at JAMMA was to gauge trade reaction (orders) towards making a call to build a JP variant, reactions seeming to be very positive. This all an example of the continuing (gradual) changes that are re-shaping the old guard within the Sammy / SEGA executive structure, opening their business up to new supply lines from the UK and USA.
'RAMBO' (LindBergh Hardware)
Developed by AM#1, the new deluxe cabinet shooter was presented on the SEGA booth next too their Rally game. This version used the modified 'House of the Dead 4' cabinet and guns, rather than the 'Ghost Squad' configuration seen internationally.
In the video amusement on display, one surprising omission was 'R-Tuned' (LindBergh Hardware). No reason was given for the non-appearance of the game that the company had already shown at its last SEGA Private Show earlier in the year, and speculation was rife that SEGA Rally may have taken the space allocated for the game, or that SEGA management wanted to avoid the game being overshadowed in a crowded driver scene.
For the rest of the booth the latest installment of the popular children card vending and play game with an updated version of the series developed by AM#3. Next to this was the Medal Game area and the slots, the 'Star Horse 2' (LindBergh Hardware) horse racing betting game developed by Mechatro development studio given pride of place with its multiple player sleek lines. The company also populated its booth with a number of its latest medal games, along with the latest of their UFO Catcher range.
In Japan, new development of the tournament environment saw emergency maintenance of the ALL.NET environment which was shut down for a period. Games such as 'Virtua Fighter 5', 'SEGA Golf Tour' and 'Quest for D' were suspended for the duration. The popularity of the ALL.Net with the players was proven by the need to apologize for the disruption in the network.
Breaking Stinger News - Just as SEGA shows the fruit of its new business strategy in the amusement sector, news was leaked that SEGA may also be making a return to the consumer hardware scene. As we went to press it was revealed that SEGA was to launch, in 2009, a Portable Media Player (PMP) called the 'SEGA Vision', to compete directly with the Nintendo DS portable device. The system will also compete in the lucrative Apple iPod sphere of penetration - SEGA taking a very big gamble at re-entering the manufacturing business after their last attempt with the Dreamcast and the damage this done to the company.
Taito
Continuing the ram-up of amusement business following acquisition, and proving the Square-ENIX presidents statement of planning to dominate the amusement scene, Taito has revealed more of their R&D operation in amusement, and at a recent pre-JAMMA presentation revealed three of the games on booth developed by the new AM division 'Team Frontline' (no word on the status of GM4 division?)
'Elevator Action: Death Parade' (Proprietary Hardware)
Following a launch prior to JAMMA'08, the company displayed their new shooter cabinet with the return of the 1983 game series. In its third version for arcade ('Elevator Action Returns' 1994), the brand new shooter marks the first big gun game cabinet from the company since 1998 ('Operation Tiger' (PC JC Hardware)), and marks Taito's entry back into the 'Super-Deluxe' cabinet sector. The 2-player cabinet uses the Taito TX Surround sound system, supporting the brand-new recoil gun system. However Taito was not able to show the graphic of the actual game, deciding only to launch the cabinet at the show, with a planned release in June 2009.
'D1GP: Professional Drift Game Arcade' (Type-X² Hardware)
The driving experience was first released back in 2006, but was still given pride of place on the Taito booth with four cabinets of the Drift-King experience. This was claimed as a re-release, with a new web page and claims that the game had been tightened and enhanced. It was however difficult to see how this game fitted in with the line-up of new releases on booth.
'The Nippon Senior' (Proprietary Hardware)
Also on booth was a three-player button bashing game, with mini-games of a Japanese style - the simple mini-game style has proved popular and Taito hopes this latest version will continue the success.
'Hopping Urodo' (Proprietary Hardware)
Shown on the booth, this two-player physical action game - based on the pogo stick - has the player bouncing round the environment in a game aimed at a younger audience. The game character based on the popular Tamogochi series, is a collaboration with the toy manufacturer WiZland.
'Space Invaders: Beat the Attacker' (Proprietary Hardware)
Having been seen first in the UK, the Japanese audience was able to see the latest version of the dance inspired redemption game; this and 'Hopping Urodo' putting the physical games genre on display.
The new Taito 'VEWLIX-VS' cabinet, offers networked back to back cabinets for VS games; this is the final of the full range of VEWLIX cabinets to be revealed, with the 'VEWLIX-L' (a new low cost version which will see international circulation), the 'VEWLIEX-F' (the current popular full-blooded version) and the new VEWLIX-VS. The company is attempting to establish the cabinet as the dayfacto standard in the large flat-screen sleek design cabinet move. Another game on the platform was the G.Rev developer shoot-em-up 'Senko No Ronde 2 Dis-United Order (DUO)' (Type-X² Hardware).
The Taito booth also included a large number of slot and medal games, including an updated version of their popular coin pushers, and launching 'DinoMax Version 1.5'. One surprise on the booth was the appearance of the Merit Entertainment 'MegaTouch Aura' touchscreen marking a new partnership in the Japanese sector. Away from the main Taito booth, the company had a selection of what would normally be called 'Hospitality' style amusements, along with the two touchscreen terminals; the company also displayed an electronic darts system, and mini-putt system.
Other than this, there was no major appearance of the Square-ENIX name on the show-floor as with last year and AOU'08 - it would seem that Taito has started to gain some direction on shaping its new amusement linage.
Bandai Namco Gaming
Yet again we find ourselves looking at a vast Bandai Namco Gaming booth - and entering into yet another conversation with Namco staffers on why Bandai's name is at the front, while internationally the company is referred to as Namco Bandai Gaming? This year the booth was built on an open-plan freeform, with a very impressive surrounding video wall presenting the latest developments. The high profile booth included some familiar faces such as 'Taiko no Tatsujin 12' (Proprietary Hardware), the latest in the drum game series, but the booth had a fair amount of new releases, too.
'NIRIN' (System ES1 Hardware)
Four of the deluxe cabinets were on display on the open-plan part of the Namco booth. This street bike action, using the new Namco hardware - the game on the new ES1 hardware - has players in a midnight street dual with other racers on customized machines (five selectable courses and mounts). The game uses the familiar motorbike interface, and also borrows some of its play from the 1995 release 'Cyber Cycle' (System Super 22 Hardware), but now includes a Hi-Def screen.
With both SEGA's Harley Davidson and Namco's NIRIN bike games on show, this marked a move by the leading factories to come up with their own Asian-centric bike action, hoping to close out the possibility of Raw Thrills launching their 'SuperBike' for this home audience; a stone-walling of the market to possible American penetration. This is another example of the 'close shop' mentality sometimes seen from the AM business in Japan. Rumors on the show floor that NIRIN may even make international landfall, as a new kit for SuperBike cabinets, was not proven at this time.
'Maximum Tune 3DX' (System N2 Hardware)
The company placed eight of their racer updates with brand new courses and two new games - the product also includes enhanced ranking aspects; a big presentation for the street racing game latest variation, hoping to hold its own against stiff competition. The game has been given a December 2008 release date for Japan, but no word on international release.
'Razing Storm' (System 357 Hardware)
The new gun game sees machine-gun action with the familiar duck-pedal. The big screen version of the game has a destructible environment far beyond the previous 'Time Crisis 4'. It uses the Playstation 3 based System 357 hardware. This is the first two-player machine-gun game from Namco (remember that 'Crisis Zone' was only released in one-player), and it hopes to continue the popularity achieved with TC4. This game has brand new hi-vibrating machine-pistols, with new selectable weapons in the game. Two cabinets on the booth gave players a chance to view the latest in the long line of impressive shooters fielded by the company, with a March 2009 schedule release.
'Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion' (System 357 Hardware)
The company had at one side of the video wall, next to the two 'Razing Storm' systems, eight cabinets running the latest update to the brawler series, including two new characters, two new locations and a selection of new customizable items for the players' characters, (executives stating the retrofit kit is scheduled for a December 2008 release).
Breaking Stinger News - Just as the report was going to the wire confirmation from the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) taking place after AS-Show'08 revealed that the home version of 'Tekken 6' will not be launched in 2008, but in 2009 in September (fall) in Japan, with expectations of a Christmas'09 launch for the rest of the world. This is considerably longer than any consumer web site or magazine speculated - makes questionable amusement executive decisions in the States and UK not to buy and operate T6 as they would not have enough time to recoup the greater expense of the game. The Stinger questioned when first stated at ATEI'08 the futility of this move - now we see that a major opportunity has been squandered, especially as the game had major player appeal as seen by the crowds that caused the 'Tekken incident' at this years' London show.
Another issue that was revealed at the TGS launch of the first images of the game was that rather than being a Sony Playstation 3 exclusive, Namco Bandai Games would also be launching a Microsoft Xbox 360 version of the game at the same time - the home version would also include the characters and features from the AM-Show'08 launched update. This marks the first time that Namco has allowed the brawler series to be launched on another platform. The success of the Xbox LIVE network - and the failure for Sony to achieve momentum of their broadband network fuelling this move; however sources revealed that though the latest version of 'Tekken 6' would be launched on the next-generation consoles - the actual functionality of the games will only be 85 per cent exact to the arcade version! The performance of the arcade System 357 Hardware and ALL.Net functionality seeming to surpass that achievable on the home platforms; this fact has been downplayed on many blogs and consumer news sites, but has fuelled heated debate on a number of fan forums towards the reality of getting an arcade 'exact' version of the game for home players.
In a revealing interview at the GamePro site, Namco producers of the latest in the Tekken series, and also working on the console releases, stated "…we were also scolded by arcade operators for putting Tekken 5 out on the home console too early." "Tekken 5 came out on the PS2 two months after the arcades. It was quite quick, maybe too quick." With this news, it seems that the Namco R&D team has prepared the release schedule to suit the arcade business. It was just that the international arcade sales operation did not want to be part of this plan!
With the launch of the new arcade 'Tekken 6' update at AM-Show'08, the question will once again be raised that now there will be a definite 14 months till the consumer game release, would it not be wise to build on the player clamber for the 'exact' arcade version of the game by reversing the decision not to import the title?
'Mobile Suit GunDam: GunDam Vs. GunDam: NEXT' (System 256 Hardware)
The latest installment of the Banpresto GunDam battler was also on show, but Namco took the bold step of showing it as a kit, sitting in over eight 'Delta 32' cabinets on display along one wall. The cabinet was shown as serious competition to the Taito VEWLIX system; the 'Delta 32' with a large screen and sleek lines hoping to build the momentum needed to get operators to upgrade their hardware. The latest GunDam title housed on the PS2 derivative arcade hardware (System 256), and proved very popular with the players during the show.
'Mobile Suit GunDam: BattleField' (PC Hardware)
Now fully under the Namco Gaming Bandai banner - following its development by Banpresto - the GunDam simulator PODS game was presented in all its glory at JAMMA'08, with an open cabinet allowing visitors to see the layout of the capsule in detail. The system has seen phenomenal success in operation at selected Japanese venues, and Namco now hopes to expand the install base, with the presentation at the show of an updated software release. The company ran eight pods during the exhibition, gathering an appreciative crowd waiting 80 minutes to try out the system.
JAMMA'08 marked a major move by Namco Bandai Games, towards the full integration of the Banpresto video amusement team. The Banpresto name was still present on the booth, but lurking below the inflatable dragon and company name were machines focusing on the DATACARDASS kid vending products - two new licenses.
News Story with thanks to Kevin Williams. Please visit
www.thestingerreport.com for others.
