30/9/06

“JAMMA Goes Wild: Part 2.” (#506)

Stinger REPORT Skinny!

(17/09/06) The Stinger continues its coverage of the AM Show 2006 from Japan. In this second and final part of the feature, revelations of SNK-Playmore’s new partnership with Taito, the launch of the new TypeX2, and a summary of the other manufacturers at the show. Also in additional coverage, we offer a look at KDE’s own line of games that missed the show and a possible legal issue on game names for the Japanese factories.

Main REPORT:

Continuing the coverage of JAMMA 2006.

Taito

Adjacent to the equally large Banpresto booth, the company had the most prominent display of new hardware than for many years – the first signs of the Square Enix investment into the company’s development. The latest version of the popular driver brand ‘Battle Gear 4: Tuned’ (TypeX+) was on show. Having been on test for the last few weeks, the ‘Tuned’ version of the original BG4 offers a major update in courses vehicles and an expansive tournament capability. The company has updated the memory card (Smart Key) elements and has also increased the player connectivity with the use of QuickCode barcodes feature for players to use their WAP phones to jump to a web-based statistics page.

From an international perspective, no Taito executive was prepared to confirm or deny if the new Tuned version would be made available to the international scene. A large number of European and American operators took the plunge and brought the latest driver. The game also showing support of their new Japanese tournament linked to major sports racing team.

Taito used their stage space at AM’44 to announce the latest version of their TypeX hardware, with a big launch of a series of new titles and new partnerships to use what has become the independent architecture of choice. The appearance of the new Windows XP Embedded enhanced Taito TypeX hardware -- TypeX2. The new system sees enhanced graphics performance and a much more flexible development environment – all this in order to ensure that Taito can compete against the inroads made by SEGA with their LindBergh architecture.

News from the Square Enix president in recent interviews that SQE was directly involved in developing the next generation hardware for Taito (TypeX2) showed the investment in AM that SQE is supporting.

Taito had on show at the event the final version of their new cabinet configuration to support the new TypeX2. The previously seen ‘Concept-E’ cabinet hopes to usher in a new era in cabinet gaming – the Taito domination of the cabinet business an evolving market. The new ‘VEWLIX’ cabinet includes the latest screen technology, a sleek JAMMA and TypeX capable cabinet, with capability for RFID and remote connection, for the 21st century amusement market.

One of the first games on the VEWLIX cabinet was ‘Raiden IV’ (TypeX+) developed by MOSS, licensed by Seibukaihatsu. One of a handful of vertical shooters at a show in previous years would have been littered with the generic style of play; there was still a strong support from players for this style. But it was the TypeX2 that received the big presentation

Taito showed ‘Aquarian Age Alternative’ (TypeX2) on the new architecture, their latest Satellite Terminal game, with IC Card Reader. Similar to the style seen with Quest for D and Monster Gate, the Taito title offers more D&D style action, but with the added feature of card recognition – players collecting cards, and placing them on the photo-recognition tablet able to change battle attack plans by their placement on the tablet. The game will be supported by the NESYS network service with full online and mobile phone game features. Deploying the same recognition hardware as has been seen from SEGA, NBG and Banpresto, the eight or four terminals and the central card dispensing station, the machine supplies a vast number of player cards.

Famous for the big announcement, JAMMA’06 did not disappoint. Taito gathered SNK-Playmore on their stage and announced the latest developer on their TypeX hardware. The two companies announced that ‘The King of Fighters Maximum Impact: Alternative’ (TypeX2) was being developed by SNK-Playmore for the PC hardware. This marks the official announcement of news that TSR hinted at (Stinger #304) that SNK-P would be abandoning their short lived relationship with Sammy / SEGA’s A-Wave and would revert to a PC hardware platform. Fan’s of SNK-P content were also buoyed by the news that both ‘The King of Fighters XII’ and ‘Samurai Showdown Hirameku’ (TypeX2), in development of the Tenchu series by K2, were also in development.

Though launched last year, ‘Half Life Survivor’ (TypeX+) in its full production colors was on display. Also receiving its production presentation was that of the other satellite terminal mahjong game ‘Usagi Online DD’ (TypeX+) based on the Warashi license.

Breaking Stinger News – The unusual relationship between Taito and Betson was not on show at this year’s AM’44. The non-appearance on the Taito booth of Fast and the Furious SuperBike or Big Buck Hunter (seen in previous years), revealed the important factor that though announced previously Raw Thrills had reverted to using their own PC hardware, rather than continuing under the previously-announced agreement  to develop games on the Taito TypeX architecture.

The Raw Thrills-developed PC hardware looks to become the second-most popular architecture in North America (Global VR's own UltraCade-devised PC platform the most popular). The confirmation of the Stinger expose (Stinger #489) of the merger of Raw Thrills and Play Mechanix emboldening the company to expand their international coverage -- sources revealing that the Raw Thrills 'FaF Superbikes' could be the most popular American arcade driver since 'Artic Thunder'.

The Taito booth also continued to demonstrate their investing in Card Gaming systems building from the ZOIDS and DinoKing titles. The continuing investment by Taito into the genre seemed to put to rest the allegations and threat of lawsuit that was issued by SEGA. 

No Show

Though a crowded booth one important no-show was ‘Chase H. Q.: Nancy Yori Kinkyuu Renraku’ (TypeX+). Announced at AOU’06, the game was on the “most likely” list for JAMMA’06. Sources suggest that rather than the previous TypeX+ the game will be ported to the TypeX2 hardware and will be receiving a major upgrade in performance from the original graphical demonstration at the previous show.

Capcom

Adjacent to the SEGA booth, Capcom had a strong attendance at this year’s JAMMA. One of the growing supporters of the card gaming genre, Capcom pushed ahead with the new title ‘Won Tertainment: Music Channel’ (PC Hardware) – the unique dog dress-up and dance game was an unusual addition to the range, hoping to ride in one the Love and Berry phenomena. The production version of ‘Rockman EXE: Battlechip Stadium’ (System 246) with the Navi Link System (NLS) from Takara.

The low-key appearance of ‘War of the Grail’ (TypeX+), Capcom’s first satellite terminal game, was meant to be the big draw at the show, but TSR correspondents found it difficult to see the game. If this was a sign of its popularity or if Capcom was downplaying the preview of the production prototype was hard to ascertain.

Continuing a strong investment in non-video properties, Capcom showed ‘Alien DANGER’ Medal Game along with some other new releases in this sector. News of previous speculation on closer working relationship with a merger partner was not on show at the event, though a number of prominent executives were seen in huddles with their opposite numbers from a number of factories.

Also showed…
Around the exhibition floor and other manufacturers and developers had a big push on the restructuring market. CAVE - One of the remaining amusement operations in the Asian sector, reflected the hold of the new collector card amusement hybrid. ‘Mini-Four-Wheel-Drive CARD Racer’ (PC Hardware), in a deal with Tamiya, the toy manufacturer and Cave Online Entertainment, the game allows players to collect components to build their ideal radio control (RC) racer to compete against other players collecting a selection of various component cards. Other titles on show included ‘Mushihime Sama Futari’ (PC Hardware), and a Mahjong Medal game. The new application of content based around simple but instantly addictive content (personified by the mini-game) was seen from the likes of Astro, with ‘Funy Touch’ (Proprietary Hardware), using a touch screen.

Another prominent name was TECMO – who appeared at AM’44 to have dropped video amusement interest and invest wholly in Pachinko and Pachinslot; while ATLUS – showed a new kid vending product in the mold of SEGA’s Love & Berry. The popularity of card games and plush was matched by the appearance of toys at the show, blurring the lines between the toy industry and the amusement scene – especially after a number of high-profile acquisitions from prominent toy manufacturers of leading amusement corporations. AM’44 having the normal appearance of Tomy – flying the toy industry flag.

AM Show No-Show

Regular Stinger readers will be familiar with Konami's boycott of JAMMA. This year marked no exception with Konami Digital Entertainment favoring the streets to test new games. ‘KuruKuru’ (PC Hardware) was KDE’s own memory and recall testing game, playing on the same cabinet as Nova. The appearance of NBG’s own ‘Minnade Zitaeru Zennou Training’ game seemed to prove that this portion of the market would be crowded. The KDE game supported by their e-AMUSEMENT network architecture.

KDE hopes to enter the crowded drivers market with ‘Thrill Drive 4’ (PC Hardware), currently completing facility evaluation. What this driver will achieve against NBG, SEGA and Taito offerings will be interesting. One interesting new entrant into the kid vending game sector from Konami is ‘JSGT’ (PC Hardware). The JCB and Bulldozers card collector game have various components of the diggers vended in card form from the machine, 2 players battle to complete tasks using dual controls.

Finally, the latest of the BeMania games ‘BeatMania IIDX 14 GOLD’ (PC Hardware) has gone into test towards a release next year; the company working hard on developing the range under stiff competition from Asia.

Breaking Stinger Report – As TSR was winding up its coverage of the AM Show, and our sources rushed to the Tokyo Game Show, one piece of late breaking news was passed on to us, and confirmed by our friends at Barcade.com. Sources from the Namco Bandai Gaming booth heard confirmation that 'Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune 3' (Proprietary Hardware) was to be released, with testing starting in November for an AOU’07 appearance. No news on the architecture, though it is doubtful that the SEGA licensed CHIHIRO platform will be used following the Bandai merger?

The Stinger Report will be featuring all the new drivers announced at AMOA and AM in the coming weeks, but with WMMT3, IDASV4 and BG4T all on the blocks operators will have a heard choice for 2007.

What Could this all Mean:
One element of AM’44 was its impact on the international player base. For the first time – the YouTube.com web video service was able to amass a vast array of the footage taken at the event. Encroaching on what would normally be the preserve of the Japanese game sites, the international circulation of these images has generated an immense reaction from fans.

The realization that caught many of the international satellites of SEGA, NBG and Taito off guard – having to react to questions on games that they are equally in the dark on themselves. In particular, there was a strong clamor from the Initial D fan sites, asking for news on when the ‘Initial D Arcade Stage Version 4’ would be appearing in US venues. This could be the first time that a concrete effort was made by the players themselves to force the buying habits of the operators.

The sleeper hit of Initial D has proven profitable for a number of sites, though the fact of having to buy a new cabinet (no kit availability of the new release) and the need for IC card support will impact supplies – the game could prove a valuable star player in future GameWorks deployment.

Breaking Stinger News – Banpresto and Namco Bandai Gaming was placed on a possible collision course with the mega consumer corporation Apple, in August. The developer and manufacturer of the iPod brand have started intensive legal action against any companies found “…infringing its trademark rights and dilutes Apple’s IPOD brand… Apple aggressively polices its brand and trademark rights in order to protect itself and its consumers.” [taken from a legal letter issued by Apple]

This campaign includes the first opening shot of possible legal action started in America in the amusement sector. The family-run company Mach 5 Electrical Services received legal notice from Apple regarding Mach 5’s ‘Profit Pod’ arcade and vending machine monitoring system. Apple requesting that the POD word in its name will need to be dropped, fighting against a trademark application.

This will mean that the Banpresto amusement attraction ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Bond of the Warfield’ (System 258) (known as ‘Senjou no Kizuna’ locally) launched at last year’s JAMMA, and in particularly the POD (Panoramic Optical Display) System will be in direct competition for possible trademark infringement. Namco Bandai Gaming and Banpresto jointly developed the POD playing system based on the ORBS concept from Namco. Namco Bandai Gaming responsible for the sales and marketing of the Banpresto concept.