Arcade and amusement trade-show activity is building across several regions. FEExpo in Italy and IAAPI in India began on 27 February 2024 and run until 29 February. DEAL follows in Dubai from 3–5 March, while Amusement Expo is scheduled for 20–21 March in Las Vegas. Here are the key developments for arcade operators and enthusiasts.
Family Entertainment Expo in Italy
Family entertainment centres and arcade games naturally share the same audience, making this expo in Italy a useful showcase for amusement manufacturers. UNIS has a substantial presence, as shown in recent video from the event.
Sega Amusements personnel are also there, presenting European product lines. Their shared booth includes titles from LAI Games and ICE, with additional Raw Thrills products supplied through an Italian distributor.
IAAPI highlights India’s expanding market
In India, the IAAPI exhibition is focused on the country’s amusement sector, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Although its name resembles IAAPA, the two organisations are separate.
Major Indian distributor CSML is displaying a broad selection of familiar arcade brands. The CSML India booth represents TouchMagix, Raw Thrills, ICE, Adrenaline, Sega and LAI Games.
Sega Amusements also has a smaller standalone booth at A10.
The event advertising refers to a first-ever launch that appears to be LAI Games’ Smash DX, the new title recently discussed on the blog. Footage shows the game at approximately the 45-second mark of a sped-up video.
The cabinet appears closely related to Extreme Offroad, but with a modified cabinet design. It is possible that LAI Games has changed more than the enclosure; the final details may become clearer at Amusement Expo.
DEAL returns to Dubai earlier than usual
DEAL takes place in Dubai from 3–5 March, earlier in the year than is typical. The exhibition has often followed Amusement Expo and has sometimes been held as late as May. The reason for the earlier timing is not clear, but major manufacturers are expected to attend and address the growing Middle Eastern market.
TouchMagix presents new redemption titles
TouchMagix will appear at Warehouse of Games’ booth C73 in Hall 3. Its DEAL 2024 line-up includes the new Pop It!, which is scheduled to receive its Middle Eastern launch at the show after strong responses in the United States and Europe.
The company will also display Carnival Cups Crane for the first time, combining a skill-based game with crane gameplay. Other featured titles include Mega Blaster and Space Warp 66.
TouchMagix describes itself as a manufacturer of coin-operated redemption games, with its manufacturing base in the United States and a research and development facility in Pune, India. Its games are designed around skill, repeat play and broad age appeal.
Anup Tapadia, TouchMagix founder, said DEAL remains an important exhibition for the Middle East, India and Africa. He added that the company has an established presence in the region and is looking forward to introducing its new games there.
ASI, one of the larger distributors in the Middle East, will also represent several manufacturers at DEAL, including Bay Tek, Sega and LAI Games.
Amusement Expo preview
A fuller preview will follow closer to Amusement Expo, but the March event is expected to include returning exhibitors and a strong mix of manufacturers and distributors. Alan-1 is due back with its indie neo-retro title Avian Knights, while exA-Arcadia is expected to occupy a booth nearer the entrance and debut new games with an emphasis on fighting titles.
Raw Thrills is expected to show the production version of Godzilla Kaiju Wars VR, and T-Rex Safari Adventure may also be present. Trio-Tech will exhibit its newly shipping Super Blaster, while LAI Games will show Smash DX.
Inowize will debut a new game for its QBIX platform. Further announcements and unexpected new releases may emerge during the show.
For more arcade coverage, browse the RETROCADE arcade blog, or explore the arcade machine buying guide before choosing a cabinet. Australian readers can also compare racing arcade machines and virtual pinball machines.
April will bring the Midwest Gaming Classic. There is a small possibility of attending to investigate a potential neo-retro arcade game launch.
Leave a Reply