Sega Amusements has officially detailed Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go!, a colourful new videmption attraction unveiled as part of its IAAPA 2023 line-up. The game combines ball-rolling skill with a zombie race, sending players towards the finish while they compete for tickets and a podium result.
The Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go! cabinet
The cabinet is designed to make an immediate visual impact, with bold colour, illuminated lane artwork and a large 65-inch screen. The lanes appear to use backlit graphics rather than projection-mapped video, although further lighting effects will be easier to assess when the machine is seen in person.
Sega describes the cabinet as compact and modular. It includes a six-channel audio system and ticket dispensers, while its listed dimensions are 93 x 85 x 81 inches (height x width x depth), or 237 x 216 x 206 centimetres.
For readers comparing the footprint of different machines, Retrocade’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point. The catalogue also includes arcade machines and upright arcade cabinets.
How the zombie race works
No full gameplay footage had been shown at the time of the announcement. Sega describes the attraction as a derby-style game in which each player helps a zombie advance by rolling balls into holes at the end of a lane.
This is a ball-roller rather than a ball-toss game. Each target can make a zombie walk, jog or run, so accurate rolling determines how quickly the character progresses along the track.
Characters, commentary and hazards
Players can choose from four named zombies: Bubbles, Coco, Dizzy and Smudge. The game also features live-style commentary from television presenter Ken Chase and his “crazy Zombie Sidekick”, Brian De’ath.
The post-apocalyptic course adds hazards to the race, including crawling rats, flying bats and live wires capable of zapping the zombies. These obstacles slow the competitors down while increasing the pressure on players to keep rolling.
In the final sprint, every zombie receives a boost, giving less experienced players a chance to reach the podium. A mechanically animated zombie on the playfield can also briefly open its mouth; skilled players who roll a ball into it have the opportunity to win the big-ticket super bonus.
Early location-test response
Sega reported an “outstanding reception” during location testing, although no earnings figures were provided. The company’s official game listing contains further information about the attraction: Sega Amusements has listed Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go! on its website.
With its straightforward ball-rolling controls, animated playfield features, ticket rewards and competitive race format, Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go! is aimed at group play and quick, energetic amusement-floor sessions. Its full appeal will become clearer once more gameplay and on-location footage are available.
For more arcade industry updates, visit the Retrocade Arcade Blog.
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