Arcade Industry News: QBIX, T-Rex and Pinball

Here is a roundup of recent arcade, redemption, virtual reality and pinball news, including industry events, prototype sightings, hardware updates and a selection of broader headlines.

AAMA gala brings the industry together

The American Amusement Machine Association held its annual gala. Public details from the event focus on charity activities and awards, while product information remains limited. Replay has a brief article, and LAI Games did a presentation on VR.

The event is generally quieter than major trade shows, although manufacturers sometimes use it to preview products intended for IAAPA. Sega Amusements showed Skill Fall Revolution, while Barron Games displayed the newest version of Birdly VR.

A closer look at Birdly VR was expected to follow during the subsequent week.

Raw Thrills prototype raises a T-Rex question

Game historian Ethan Johnson photographed prototype cabinets during a visit to the Raw Thrills factory. One image shows the company’s upcoming virtual-reality attraction, with the name appearing as T-Rex Adventure on one screen and T-Rex Safari on another. Another screen shows the latter name.

The final title and presentation were not confirmed, and a Jurassic Park licence remained a possibility before production. The warehouse also contained unusual mixed-part cabinets, including a Frogger fitted with a Super Bikes 2 marquee mould. Jdevy and Ted helped draw attention to the photographs.

QBIX receives a free operator update

Further information is available about Inowize’s QBIX following its software updates. The updates have no cost for operators, and the enclosure has been redesigned.

The revised QBIX includes automatic gates to simplify operation and manage guest flow. This supports unattended use, allowing staff to concentrate on other parts of a venue.

The system now uses HTC Vive controllers. The controller tested at IAAPA 2022 was considered uncomfortable, while its manufacturing and replacement delivery timelines could have made it no cheaper than a standard Vive controller. The regular Vive hardware is easier to source and is supported by Vive’s warranty in the United States and internationally.

The updated structure is shown below.

Pinball watch

For home enthusiasts comparing formats, RETROCADE’s virtual pinball machines offer another way to explore digital tables.

Sega and UNIS preview redemption attractions

Sega Amusements have revealed its line-up for IAAPA Expo Europe 2023, held in Vienna from 25 to 28 September. The redemption range includes Ballzania and the merchandiser Skill Fall Revolution, known as Win or Skill Fall in some regions, including the United States. Sega is also highlighting last year’s IAAPA video releases, Drone Racing Genesis and Storm Rider 2. A new video title has historically appeared in October, so another reveal remained possible.

UNIS also previewed Dynamic Orbs, a new redemption game that was not yet listed on the company website.

Why redemption dominates many arcades

Two accompanying videos examine why modern venues often devote more floor space to ticket redemption than to video games, which were far more prominent in many arcades during the 1980s. One discussion concentrates on earnings and the other on gameplay.

The analysis acknowledged that the videos could have been more carefully scripted. A distributor manager also challenged the first video for spending too long on revenue and for not presenting the counterargument to the “kiddie casino” criticism.

The commercial case for redemption is powerful: a bright, well-designed ticket game can perform strongly in many locations. However, a venue with a balanced mix can also be a successful earner. The argument was compared with a steakhouse complaining about the income generated by drinks and desserts.

Video games remain the preferred focus here because they once held a major cultural and technological advantage over largely electromechanical redemption products. The view remains that the right video game can still attract players and earn well, even if redemption is an important part of the modern arcade business.

Operators and readers with different experience are invited to identify specific errors or missing context so the discussion can be improved.

For Australian operators and home collectors, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide explains the main considerations when choosing a cabinet, while the arcade blog covers more industry news.