IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 was held in Bangkok, Thailand, with the event running through Thursday. Photos supplied by Martin and Eric provide a look at the arcade and amusement equipment on display.
The exhibition appeared to place a stronger emphasis on networking than on presenting a large game line-up. Several notable machines were still on show, however, ranging from motion simulators and redemption games to new cabinets and video game attractions.
Chfuntek
Chfuntek presented a skiing attraction known as I-Skiing, while its attract mode used the name Digital Skiing. Rather than the swivelling ski footpads commonly seen on arcade ski simulators, this machine uses a sliding control platform. The base also appears to produce wind during play.
The company seems to work across several simulator categories. A tennis attraction was visible beside the skiing game, while another arena-style product was partly obscured in the available image.
DOF Robotics
Turkish manufacturer DOF Robotics exhibited its Supernova motion simulator. The platform can be paired with either virtual reality or a dome screen, and its movement range can put the riders upside-down.
The company also received the event’s top IAAPA Brass Ring award for Best Exhibit.
Hong Kong Umedia
Hong Kong Umedia displayed the Unico Nova Blast cabinet, a machine previously seen at IAAPA 2023 but not covered here at the time. Its presence alongside the MVSX raised the possibility that Umedia may be involved in overseas manufacturing for Unico products, although that relationship was not confirmed.
Tape was visible around the rear section of the Nova Blast cabinet. It may have resulted from transport damage, or the unit may have been an earlier build with unresolved production details. At the time, the cabinet had not begun shipping as far as known.
The control panel included audio output jacks. There had been discussion around whether the front ports would remain visible on production cabinets, but the final decision was not clear.
The booth also included several other games and amusement products.
HY Technology
HY Technology displayed Crazy Hammer, a videmption game built around a hammering challenge. Similar concepts have appeared in other markets, but it was not clear whether Huangyue Technology originated this particular design or produced a version of an existing concept. The attraction has been seen in eastern markets and Europe, but not yet in the United States.
LAI Games and Superwing
LAI Games and Chinese partner Superwing presented two-player cabinets of SMASH DX, which had recently entered shipment. The title supports linking up to four cabinets, although only a two-player configuration was shown at this booth. Superwing displayed the game at its own stand as well.
Additional promotional material showed a slightly different cabinet design carrying the earlier Chinese title Extreme Off Road. The version eventually shipped to this market used a different game name and cabinet presentation.
Superwing’s other attractions included the fishing-themed videmption game Happy Ocean and the water-gun game Rescue Action.
Sega Amusements International
Sega Amusements International attended with a booth but did not display games. Its graphics referred to products shipping from a factory in China, an unusual point of emphasis compared with the Cardiff, UK warehouse often associated with its distribution. The exact manufacturing and logistics arrangements were not clear.
Several other exhibitors, including Trio-Tech, used their space for sales staff and branded wall graphics rather than exhibiting equipment. Importing machines into Thailand for a short event may have been a factor. Local distributor arrangements could also help explain why some familiar manufacturers were absent.
UNIS
UNIS maintained a substantial presence and displayed a mixture of previously seen attractions and newer redemption equipment. Two of the newer pieces had previously appeared at AAA 2024.
The display included Ducky Splash 2 and what appeared to be the third entry in the series. It was not certain whether the second version had been shown at IAAPA 2023 and the newer machine was the one appearing here.
Other exhibitors
The event had a relatively small game presence. The absence of Adrenaline, Bandai Namco and Raw Thrills reduced the number of major arcade exhibitors, while Sega Amusements International attended without putting games on the floor.
Other companies identified through event material included:
- EPARK, primarily showing cranes
- Dreamfuns, also focused mainly on cranes
- Hologate with their Hologate Arena Infinite
- Yuto Games
- Zamperla
For Australian operators and home gamers, the show offered a useful snapshot of current simulator, redemption and cabinet trends, even with a smaller game selection than some major amusement trade events. Readers comparing formats can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, racing arcades and virtual pinball machines.
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