Latest News from Japan

Latest News from Japan

Konami Takes Further Step Towards Pachi-Slot Profits

Konami has taken another big step towards its entry into the lucrative pachi-slot market in Japan. It joined the pachi-slot industry association in April this year and announced on August 2 that it has submitted its first prototype machine to the association for approval.

The company's subsidiary "Konami Parlor Entertainment" is responsible for the company's pachi-slot ventures.

Shinjuku "Joypolis" To Be Closed

Sega plan to shut its flagship Shinjuku "Joypolis" amusement arcade at the end of August. The arcade was opened in 1996 in Takashimiya Time Square and was a favorite destination for overseas visitors to the JAMMA

Show. Sega are pointing the finger at the conditions in the new contract demanded by Takashimaya and the competition the location is facing from the "Joypolis" arcades in Daiba and Yokohama.

Konami Ties Up With Universal Music for Euro Dance Game

Konami has teamed up with Universal Music Group of the U.S. to jump-start sales of its dancing machines in Europe. In Japan, most of the songs in the "Dance Dance Revolution" series of machines have been composed by Konami's in-house musicians but it appears this was not

enough to encourage Euro dancers to try the game. With the new version of the game, called "Dancing Stage" in Europe, Universal's hit songs will be incorporated. Universal holds about a 25% share of the European music market. Konami's aim is to sell about 1,000 machines in the first year.

Sega, Sony Invest in Same Game Developer

Sega and Sony have both taken minority stakes in the game development company Dimps Corp. It is very rare for two competing Japanese firms to invest in the same company.

Dimps Corp. was established in March 2000 with a capitalization of Yen 10 million. In addition to Sony and Sega which invested Yen 30 million each for a 10% stake, Sammy invested Yen 153 million for a 51% stake and

Bandai invested Yen 39 million. Dimps is expected to have sales of Yen 700 million in the current fiscal year and is aiming at sales of Yen 5 billion and profit of Yen 1 billion in fiscal 2001. Aiming is sometimes easier than achieving....

Special thanks to Manjiro Works.