The first major arcade news round-up of 2023 brings together updates from EAG, JAEPO, UNIS, Taito, pinball, film and the wider amusement industry. It also considers the operating pressures facing venues as electricity costs rise.
For Australian operators and enthusiasts, the stories offer a useful snapshot of new machines, international trade shows, arcade anniversaries and the continuing importance of carefully managing a game room. For more industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
EAG 2023: New Videos and Pac-Man Roller
Arcade Belgium attended EAG 2023 and has uploaded footage covering many of the machines shown at the event. Rather than reproduce every video here, you can visit them on YouTube to check them all out.
Sega also published a showcase of the products displayed on its EAG stand.
Bandai Namco used EAG to debut Pac-Man Roller. Like Pac-Man Baller, the project is being developed with Polish manufacturer Wik, adapting one of the company’s alley bowlers with Pac-Man branding. The non-branded Wik version seen at IAAPA 2022 made strong use of LED panels. If the Pac-Man machine is not launched before Amusement Expo, that event may be the first opportunity to see it in Australia.
JAEPO Previews Begin
Japan Amusement Expo was approaching its first in-person edition since 2020, and Japanese manufacturers had begun revealing their planned line-ups. There was industry discussion that this could be the final JAEPO, although work was reportedly under way on a replacement event.
- Konami’s planned games were announced ahead of the show in its Game Line-up.
- Bandai Namco published Bandai Namco’s Game Line-up.
- Dead Heat Unleashed was listed for exhibition, with the “Overseas” wording suggesting a display rather than a confirmed release. Another Namco racing game was also expected to debut.
- Sega planned a live rhythm-game event, detailed in its rhythm event announcement.
- exA-Arcadia was due to appear under its distributor Eikoh, listed at booth A-8 because of JAIA membership rules. The stand was expected to include all released exA-Arcadia games and new titles, with more games than the company brought to IAAPA 2022.
Taito’s booth was also attracting attention, although Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade, previously expected by some observers, did not appear certain to be shown.
Electricity Costs Put Pressure on Arcade Operators
Rising energy prices were a less welcome theme around the trade-show news. UK amusement venues faced enormous electrical bills threatening the existence of high-power-draw businesses like arcades. Some venues had already closed, while Arcade Hub did end up closing before finding a way to re-open.
In one reported example, annual energy costs had risen by 1,000 per cent. Reducing opening hours could be the only practical alternative to shutting completely. The issue was not limited to Britain: operators elsewhere were also dealing with higher bills, while Japanese rates were expected to increase by 50 per cent in April.
Energy-saving measures can help at the margins. LED lighting may reduce consumption, and operators can switch off games in less-used areas until customers ask to play them. Pinball and redemption machines can receive LED conversions, although the conversion itself costs money and the games remain major power users. Clear signage may help explain why selected machines are unavailable.
These measures cannot solve the underlying utility-price problem. Arcades depend on electricity for nearly everything, unlike some retail businesses that can continue taking cash sales during an outage. The challenge is relevant to anyone considering a venue, while home owners looking at a home arcade buying guide should also consider running costs, ventilation and placement.
UNIS Shows Its Current Line-Up
UNIS uploaded videos covering much of the equipment presented at IAAPA and EAG. The range includes many redemption and crane products, along with Sailor’s Quest VR and Star Crusader 2. The company’s YouTube page contains the broader product collection.
TRON 3 Remains in Development
Disney’s TRON films have a natural connection to arcade culture, making the apparent progress of TRON 3 notable. The sequel has been discussed for years, including around the release of TRON: Legacy, but Disney’s focus on Star Wars and Marvel appeared to push it aside. It looks like they are ready to do some other things once again.
Jared Leto was attached to the project, although his character had not been clarified. It was also unclear whether he would play a new version of Kevin Flynn, Flynn’s successor or an entirely separate character. The involvement of performers from the original film or Legacy, and any direct arcade connection, remained unanswered.
TRON: Legacy eventually grew on viewers despite differing from the first film in some story respects. The next instalment still had plenty to prove: whether it would deliver a worthwhile story, retain the franchise’s arcade identity or become another disposable blockbuster was unknown.
Taito and Space Invaders Mark Major Anniversaries
Taito planned to recognise two significant milestones in 2023: the 70th anniversary of the existence of their brand and company, plus the 45th anniversary of their seminal game, Space Invaders. Each anniversary had its own dedicated website. Larger celebrations may arrive in 2028, but both milestones are worth noting now.
Omen of Sorrow Reaches NesicaXLive2
The fighting game Omen of Sorrow launched on Taito’s NesicaXLive2 network. The service is primarily found in Japan, although Round1USA locations with connected cabinets also provide access in the United States.
The arcade version looked polished, but its reception would depend on how it played. Earlier PlayStation 4 and PC releases aren’t great though, and it was not clear how substantially the NesicaXLive2 edition differed from those versions.
One Venue Closes as Another Gets Busier
The closure of a second arcade location prompted two videos, included below. Moving the equipment into the original venue made that room more crowded, but the additional games appeared to increase play and revenue. In practical terms, more playable machines generally created more reasons for customers to stay.
Pinball Updates
Players waiting for the Scooby-Doo pinball machine received a new update.
ColorDMD also released a colour display option for Waterworld pinball, giving owners a new way to update the machine’s display presentation.
Barenaked Ladies musician Ed Robertson appeared in a new interview discussing his enthusiasm for pinball.
How Did Arcade Games Perform in 2022?
Operators were invited to compare their results from 2022, including their five strongest and five weakest-performing games. That kind of information remains valuable when planning a venue, refreshing a machine mix or choosing between arcade machines and specialist options such as racing arcades.
More Arcade and Gaming Headlines
- James “Buster” Corley Of Dave & Busters Passes Away At The Beginning Of The Year. A former employee also shared a positive account of Corley’s impact.
- Maximum Tune 5DX+ Gets An Update, with no major operational problems or dramatic changes reported.
- Round1USA’s Receive Taito’s Music Diver, despite the title’s Round1 exclusivity and its planned JAEPO appearance.
- Lowes Getting In On Birthday Parties, as more retail businesses pursued the revenue generated by celebrations.
- What Are Game Changers Arcades? and a New Episode Of Chasing Nostalgia offer further viewing.
- IGS was developing an endless runner, while Super Nintendo World Hollywood Gets A Soft Opening.
- Creating Asteroids, a new trademark filing for Sega’s AM2 logo, and a video on Restoring A Nintendo Red Tent Arcade Cab covered classic hardware and manufacturer history.
- Other features included VR 360’s OMG VR Simulator, a walk-through of MAGFest 2023’s arcade, a thread about Sega’s Fighting Vipers, and the Japan-only medal game based on New Super Mario Bros. Wii being dumped online.
- The ATRAX 2023 Show Began As EAG Ended.
- Console-related links covered comparisons of GoldenEye 007 on Switch and Xbox, a visit to Mortal Kombat’s Shaolin Temple in VR, and new games for the Atari 2600.
That closes this round-up of EAG, JAEPO, Taito, pinball and broader gaming news. The key questions for operators remain familiar: which games attract repeat play, how can costs be controlled, and what new releases deserve space on the floor?
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