Sega director Nagai pointed out that the recent advances in the technology embodied in consumer games means that there is little technical difference between them and arcade games. He said it was necessary to devise forms of amusement that can only be enjoyed in game arcades. There must be this value-added element to the arcade experience
and the key to this is contents, he said.
In addition to the closure of 280 arcades and the laying off of over 500 staff, Sega aims to adopt an IC card system to get away from the "JPY100 for 3 minutes play" system. The IC card will also allow the company to collect more data on arcade visitor profiles and playing patterns and should thereby assist in marketing efforts. Longer term, Sega is looking at connecting arcades using high-speed fiber-optic cables and satellites.
Special thanks to Manjiro Works for these news stories.
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Manjiro Works Inc. exports top quality coin-operated machines from Japan around the world.
