Of importance is the upcoming driving game titled 'Overtake' from IGS. It has a significant western feel to the game by using Ford motor cars and is based on free style driving where the tracks have multiple options (the factory mentioned two games are never the same). The game plays more like a USA made game (Fast and Furious style) than the technical style of Maximum Tune.
Overtake will have player save cards, and possibly a choice between two different cabinets. It is an easier game to play with the multi turbo button feature. The game was 85% finished at the time of the show and is scheduled for release in the upcoming months.
IGS also showed other new products including Speed Driver 4, Speed Rider 2, Muzibox, Percussion Master 3, Hero of Robot V4, Constant C, Knights of Valor 3, Power Truck, Turtle Stacker, Ghost Town, Turtle Adventures, Cube Master and Under Defeat: The Ride.
The influence of China made products was well prominent on Sega's booth where they displayed Wahlap's Dance Core and Storm Racer MT. Both machines were well received. Sega also displayed KO Drive, Dream Raider, Bingo Drop, Para Dice and the crowd pleasing MaiMai (check out our videos).
Injoy Motion (a factory that specializes in moving simulators) showcased their new games, including Street Racing Stars, Top Gunner and Allied Tank Attack. Also on display was Dido Kart, Power Boat GTV2, and Project X-Pher.
Namco recently released software upgrades for their Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 and was looking to consolidate the machines they have in the Asian marketplace. These machines are based on profit share where the operator receives the machines for minimal cost, but must share the profits of the cashbox during the life of the game. During the show, Namco also announced they were releasing a number of new ticket redemption products including:
- Pacman Ghostly Bowling (ball toss game)
- Pacman Basket (basketball game)
- Goal Line Rush
- Triple Turn
- Ball Spectacular
Namco also displayed their Dark Escape 4D machine as well as the 42" Dead Heat.
There has been a big improvement in the machines coming out of the China market. Only a few years ago, the China cabinets ranked quite low in terms of construction and aesthetics, but the new breed of car, bike and gun shooting cabinets are really stunning - LED lighting and appealing artwork with moulded plastic designs. Game play is also improving, and we believe it is only a few years before we start to see games out of China that can stand against Japan and USA designed products that could become mainstream into USA, Europe and the Middle East.
Videos of the products on show at GTI Asia Taipei Expo can be viewed on the Highway Entertainment Youtube channel. Over the next week we will be adding the new products and more movies into our system, so watch this space for more updates.
Thanks to all the factory representatives and friends for their support during GTI Show, great to see you again. Steve.
