Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Limited will be exhibiting five new rides for the first time at this year's ATEI Show to be held in London later this month (Stand No. 1020). This will be our largest ever showing of new models, reflecting the major investment and expansion of our business since the acquisition of the Mitchells Children's Rides brand in mid 2005.
On show this year will be:-
Sergeant Stripes - a fantastic new licensed character ride featuring a catchy theme tune and authentic sound effects (the cartoon series is very popular and is currently showing on Cbeebies with a 33% audience share across the target 4 -6 age range).
World Rally Car Video Simulator - this ride won't be complete until the week before the show so no photo unfortunately. This is an exciting new licensed interactive video ride based on the World Rally Car Championship. With a global TV audience of 800 million (including a large fan base in the youth market) this ride is aimed at attracting children in the 4 to 11 age range. The video shows real "on-board" footage of four exciting stages of the championship (each stage is selectable). The child gets an authentic feel for the rally as the ride lifts, dips and turns following the rally course, bringing interactivity to a new level of realism.
Bob The Builder Photo Ride - Now children can ride along with Bob the Builder and have their photo taken! This latest version of Scoop dispenses a high quality full colour photo with every ride. By combining this premium vending opportunity with the world's most successful licensed character ride profits are bound to soar. As Bob would say..."Can we fix it?.... Yes we can!"
Noddy - a re-launch of the extremely popular licensed character. With a new TV series of "Say it with Noddy" (100 x two minute episodes) now showing on Channel 5, the awareness and cash generating potential of this ride is excellent. Featuring a catchy theme tune and authentic sound effects from the cartoon series.
City Tour Bus - a large three-seater video ride. This ride was shown to a selective audience at the Deith open Day last summer, but this will be the first showing of the ride at a trade exhibition. It features real video footage of a London bus tour and realistic sound effects. The three seats and video screen gives tremendous value to customers, allowing operators to charge a premium vend price.
Innovative leisure is bringing two new rope attractions to the European market:- "Coconut Tree Climb" and "Rope A Phobia" were both launched at the recent IAAPA exhibition in Atlanta by Spectrum Sports International. The two new attractions offer a new twist on the popular climbing walls and towers already supplied by Innovative. Video footage of these and other attractions are available at the Innovative website.
7/12/05 - Just The Ticket For Basketball crazed fans
Basket Fortune, designed by Family Fun Companies (A division of J. Richard Oltmann Ent.) and manufactured by UNIS is a 4-player redemption game perfect for basketball-crazed fans. This basketball themed game features a revolving playfield that supports 12 baskets of different values. Players must drop their coin with precise timing to pass through one of the revolving baskets below. To win the Progressive Jackpot the coin must pass through the Jackpot Basket. Strong play appeal ensures repeat play. With its small footprint and strikingly attractive cabinet this game is certain to drive fortunes into your pockets! For North and Central American Distribution contact Family Fun Companies 800-224-1717 For Worldwide Distribution contact UNIS +1-905-477-2823
Sega Amusements Europe Ltd. will be holding court in its usual dominant position at the centre of the ATEI hall this year with two stands. From what Sega has indicated so far it promises to be something of a spectacle with various themes running through the product range, not to mention a few surprises.
Firstly, you will be hard pressed to miss the latest version of one the arcade industries classic titles, House of the Dead, in its fourth incarnation. Taking front of stage in three cabinet formats, one of which will be a premier showing, the game represents a major step forward in technology. It boasts the first Digital monitor (DLP) that provides vision from all angles and no screen burn, and comes in sizes up to a massive 62" Sega says this is the way forward as people have greater expectations from TVs and screens at home and in other leisure environments, and arcades can not be left behind using old fashioned PTVs.
The new software platform behind the game, Lindbergh, is also an industry first in its sheer output capability. The combination of this and the screen Sega reports, "Produces motion quality sound and graphics".
The effect of the Lindbergh platform will also be evident in Virtua Tennis 3 the latest version of a strong proven arcade piece that will receive its first showing outside Japan at the ATEI. The game will feature a host of world professional tennis stars, including three times Wimbledon champ Roger Federer, and recognisable tennis venues from around the world. The game will also benefit from the smart card concept first made popular in Ghost Squad.
The tennis title will be shown in a new Lindbergh Cabinet - the advance in software and monitor technology has spurned Sega to develop this as a successor to the Naomi cabinet. Sega will be producing in the coming year various versions of the new cabinet to suit various game formats.
Continuing with the sporting theme and to maximise of the 'World Cup' effect Sega will be showing two football titles. WCCF European Clubs 2004 - 2005 the much-hyped game that was officially launched at last October's Preview has got of to a great start. The company reports that 36 units were shipped prior to Christmas. The mix of famous players and the collectable Panini cards has evidently hit the right note amongst players.
The second title, which will flourish this year amidst World Cup fever, is Virtua Striker 4 - 2006 World Cup edition.
Sega's promise of diversifying its product range a year or so ago will be evident at this years show. Its venture into the pusher market was tested at the Preview last year when it showed its 'all singing all dancing' six-player Disco Dream. Then it was shown to gain operator reaction and feedback. The result is a product that has been modified to suit European legalities and operator requests. The game features a massive glitter ball 'Cash Splash' feature, dancing Divas and a multitude of plasma screens and features. Paul Williams claimed then 'it is without doubt the best looking pusher in Europe!' and still stands by it.
Further diversification will be also strengthened with the desire to build into the kids market with a host of video vending games. Subject to finer details Sega will be launching a licensable Dinosaur game in the format of 'Dinosaurking'. Sega promises that you will not be able to miss this one on the stand. It will be shown along with another title, 'Love & Berry' that is aimed at girls and will be previewed at ATEI.
Finally, if all this were not enough to contend with Sega are keeping under wraps a very secretive project that will see its world premier at the ATEI. To date no information is available from Sega and scouring the usual game web sites and test locations in Tokyo reveal nothing. Head of Research and Development, Patrick Michael who is based at Sega Surrey offices would only go as far as to say, "The project is a first for Sega Amusements Europe and Sega full stop. We are all very excited about not only this but what it may also lead to in the future. We are literally saying nothing at all at this stage - we like to keep some surprises!"
30/11/05 - Size Matters - When it Comes to Sega's New Screen!
Sega Amusements Europe Ltd reveals for the first time the final design of its House of the Dead 4 deluxe cabinet. The much-awaited game is the first in the industry to adopt new Digital Light Projector monitors. It is this screen format and other innovative technology that has given birth to the fresh cabinet design.
The screens allow vision from all angles and do not incur that age-old problem of screen burn and come in 52" and 62" widescreen formats, allowing Sega to produce deluxe and super deluxe versions. The sheer size of them will ensure they dominate any location and make them stand out from the standard 50" PTVs, which will become a thing of the past.
It is also be the first game to utilise the new Lindbergh hardware. The platform launched at the Jamma show in Tokyo in September is the most powerful the industry has ever seen and will allow arcades to claw one back on the ever advancing home market. The graphic and sound capabilities are paramount to motion picture quality have benefited the House of the Dead title massively and allow the jump from third to fourth title to be a quantum leap.
Justin Burke of Sega commented "The combination of the screen and the output capabilities of the Lindbergh board is a powerful attraction with and something players will be drawn to. Where as in the past you may have seen a handful of zombies on the screen at any one time now you might see a hundred".
The game story is a continuing one involving two government agents battle against the evil genius Goldman. Previously agent Taylor defeated Goldman's attempt to wipe out the human race and gain world domination in what became known as the 'Goldman Incident'.
James Taylor is accompanied this time by a sexy and sophisticated sidekick, Kate Green. House of Dead 4 sees a European city under attack from Goldman's army of zombies if Taylor and Green fail it is the end of mankind!
Players will be able to experience a new weapon that features not only a new reload technique , no more shooting outside of the screen , and also a hand-to-hand combat feature. At times in the game it will appear that a zombie is grabbing the player, and in order to get out if it the player must 'shake' the gun the free himself of the zombie.
"This latest chapter of the classic title that has endured over the past eight years, and has proven cash box returns at every outing, along with this new technology and storyline is a sure recipe for another success" Justin Burke concluded.
