In the video game category Konami showed for the first time outside of Asia their Policeman 911, a game that mightily impressed, clearly one of the most innovative video release on display, gyrating players blasting at the criminal scum of Los Angles and Tokyo. Building on technologies grown from the companies Asian dance products.
Further into the show and Midway showed the completed Artic Thunder system in standard and vibrating seat 'icy breeze' variants, along with a number of pass releases. Adjacent booth SEGA showed much that had been presented at AMOA, with the addition of a Lost World theatre style version of Confidential Mission, and a presentation of the new NAOMI-GD enhancement. The launch of the sequel to the 1985 hit (Space Harrier), Planet Harrier was a video sleeper surprise at the show, with impressive graphics in a package that should not be underestimated.
Namco decided to exhibit away from the arcade video game manufactures in the main theme parks hall. Offering goodies that were already familiar, the company kept a few aces up their sleeve. A full-scale version of the 90% complete Ridge Racer V: Arcade Battle, boasted a full racecar mock-up and big screen display (reminiscent of the original Ridge Racer Full-scale). Also a partnership with an American manufacture created one of the most unusual products of the show. The Turret Tower offered a 360 spinning experience players spun round inside a kiosk steering their gun turret at attacking air forces.
Other video manufactures that stuck it out in the video game hall included Gaeleco with their latest release, Smashing Drive, an eclectic mix of Sega's Crazy Taxi and Gaelco's 1998 Radical Biker.
Away from the conventional video amusement, the 2000 IAAPA spotlighted the emergence of new technology into the amusement sector. Immersive entertainment personified by virtual reality and the latest interactive motion simulation.
GlobalVR demonstrated their VR Vortex and VortexII with the addition of their latest successful converted consumer title, SIN, to their platform. The first results of their acquirsition of Interactive Light properties were in evidence with the soccer and new field goal variants of the Kick-It! family. Ferris Productions continued the VR trend with exhibits of their Universal VR system, as well as their interesting co-licensed CyberPod Quake network capsules, offering the ultimate in immersive gaming player environments.
Illusion demonstrated their arcade variant of their popular DropZone! attraction, seen at AMOA. The VR technology took a step further to universal adoption when newcomer Ham On Rye Technologies demonstrated an impressive VR theatre system that offered a cost effective alternative to cabin simulator theatres and Lazertag for twenty-person throughput.
The show was noteworthy for the number of amusement style simulators on exhibition. Over thirteen systems were on demonstration, the largest number one and two seat interactive systems ever gathered in one location, let alone one exhibition. The development of systems targeted for amusement was clear hoping to offer the ‘big-bang' system needed to offer a center piece attraction.
Korea had an impressive début at IAAPA with over three systems on display. Away from Fuscense who have been in the market for some time with their technology, new manufactures RedFox and Simuline showed interesting developments. The hanging motion system of the Simuline Inverted CX1 was a striking design, while RedFox showed one of the first 5DoF motion systems, with a unique sound system.
America had a strong showing in their own right, Ronbotics with their popular CoasterRider X-Press simulator, which has found some popularity in the market with a claimed 100 plus in circulation, and claimed impressive revenue returns. Other manufactures with an established user-base included MaxFlight, with a estimated 200 plus units in operation, the high flying two seater VR-2002 system, added the second interactive ride experience to their catalogue. The new jet fighter experience receiving its first airing at IAAPA.
Jesler Enterprises showed their Electraride, which benefited from lessons learned by the company during the development of the 20 unit attraction ‘Bad Lands', for the impressive SONY Metreon facility. The US distributor Betson Enterprises, being the first to license the system. RediFun showed their Cyber Fighter and Virtual Glider systems, based on the first attempts in this market by military simulator manufacture Evan's & Sutherland. Also on display was Australian funded Thrillseekers with their F1 racing game experience following in the footsteps of previous developments. While English based CyberMind showed their cost-effective one person motion system, the NRG, which is also being distributed by State Sales in America.
Tsunami showed their innovative Bumper Ball single player motion base, but now with a selection of passive and interactive game experiences. The library was expanded following an agreement with Infogrames Entertainment / INSKOR Entertainment for the licensing of the popular shooting game Beachhead 2000 which was added a new level of depth with the addition of motion. The company developing a new smaller version of their original motion platform, to support this experience. New products that placed themselves in front of interested operators also included the launch of the MerRacer 3000 from GreyStone Technologies, with the prone position racing simulator (which featured a immersive display system), and the company's reworked arcadePC, X-S G racing game.
Camber Entertainment fresh from their agreement with Thomson Entertainment demonstrated their rally car driving cabinet, showing impressive styling and a strong driving game experience. Which has found success with LeisureLink in the UK.
This year's show clearly pointed the way for the future of the Out-Of-Home entertainment industry, looking at the need for the bigger experience to pull the player away from their home system.
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Kevin Williams
Business Development Director
INSKOR Entertainment
Tel: +44 208 222 9700
Email: kwilliams@inskor.net
Web: www.inskor.net
