Kamex 2002

This article comes from Highwaygames.com

The first thing you notice as you walk into the Trade Show is the increase in popularity of online games. Some of the biggest stands such as Gravity, Nexon, and NC Soft all showed some versions of home online products which we were told had very strong followings with arcade players.

The next thing we noticed is the lack of exhibitors from the Korean amusement industry - there was no Uniana, Andimiro, Eolith and many of the smaller companies who showed so much innovation were sadly lacking.

However, some new products were exhibited for amusement operators with;

Amuseworld: showed a new self redemption machine titled Happy Robo and their latested upgrade for EZ2DJ, Fourth Trax.
Digital Silkwood: "Pull the Trigger", a cops and robbers gun shooting game with the feeling of a real gun, built in air compressor which allows realistic gun kickback.
Mercury Millennium: a 3D style baseball game which promises new upcoming titles such as fishing, golf and snow boarding.
Big A: a nice low cost unit for operators similar to Final Furlong, but single play with prize out.
Sunilgooddream: "Chameleon", full 360" rotational machine where players are able to fly helicopter missions.
F2 Systems: "Mr Jang-Go", a side drum game similar to the bemani series.
Fusence: "Medal Master" a vending machine that dispenses your photo in metal.

For large simulator operators, the following products were of interest;

VSTEC: "Blast control", a futuristic motorcycle driving game with optional 2 or 3 degree electric platform.
F2 Systems: "Royal Grandprix Derby", a truly impressive machine that would be a standout at any location. Bet on horses on your console and watch the results on the big screen.
Woxex: "Net Flight", a large flight simulator which can be connected to another unit where the player can work together or challenge each other.
Unitech: showed a virtual 3D graphics and 2 axis motion platform which can play flight simulator, submarine simulator and space simulator.

After talks with Korean amusement operators, it seems that this strong market is also in rapid decline. The talk and strong promotion of home consoles but more significantly online network games, has results in many arcade players limiting their visits to the arcade centres. With relatively low subscription costs to online networks and an excellent internet infrastructure, users are able to play very good quality games at low prices.

Manufacturers also mentioned to us that the move is now onto gaming or vending products, or, products that are network enabled (where you can play the same game against someone in the same arcade, city, or around the world). (Note: We will have a seperate report early next year)

In the first few hours of the show I was disappointed. No World Combat, House of the Dead III or Time Crisis III. But then, after spending some time reviewing the market and talking with friends I noticed that the industry has changed quickly in the Korean market. And with these big pieces not at the show, it allowed me to spend more time on the reasons why players are moving away from the arcade centres and towards sitting at home behind a computer (I had already seem most of the big pieces in Japan so it was interesting to see the real Korean market).

It also made me realise that some of the industry leaders of game design should have also been sitting and watching the same show.

SJ.