It seems that despite the fact that Capcom USA has completely dropped the ball on the arcade version
Street Fighter IV so far it’s not deterring some operators from getting their hands on the game already. Obviously they need to import the game from Japan but in case you are curious to know of a couple of places that I know of (and I am quite sure that there are several others out there) where you can play SFIV without having to go to a Capcom press event, there is Tokyo Game Action in MA that I reviewed recently and the upcoming arcade in Texas that we talked about a few weeks ago called Arcade UFO and they will have it when they open (on the 29th of this month). I do wonder if operators are opting for the full machine or the kit as you can go either way but I’m happy that some arcades have the opportunity to jump on this and hopefully it will bring out a lot of people to give each arcade a boost. I would import it too but I’ve used up my funds for such things for now.
Now something similar has happened with Tekken 6 because Namco didn’t release it in the US. It is telling at the very least since some say that fighters are past their heyday.
[Thanks to Adam for the tip on ArcadeUFO getting the game)
Well, there are now at least three sites within the US that will have the game. We preordered a pair of boards last week, that should be here sometime this month. they will be in operation in Washington state. The sad thing, only one player station per board. And at over 6000.00 US per board, setting up a two player game is expensive considering this is only a fighting game that will not have long legs. Not to mention, extra cost of the not included I/O boards, as well as the hub unit to connect both boards.
We are throwing some brand new LCD hi def monitors in some nice showcase cabinets. We just hope this is all worth the effort and expense.
Bill
Yes Bill, I was very unhappy how long the Capcom guys hid the fact of what was actually the deal on the one player unit issue.
Any news on if you will run the machines with IC Cards?
The machines I reported on at BoD were not IC Card enabled, and already Capcom is painting a picture where the machines are best run as single units – rather than having to admit that the Type-X2 is under performing!!
I understand that our kits will not support the IC card feature. Just like about everything we try here in America. I remember being saddened when I discovered that the load of Ghost Squad games we bought also did not support the card memory feature. No wonder arcades are struggling in America. But not for the lack of us still trying.
Bill: I agree we see to be behind the eight-ball all the time.
I am a little concerned that we are seeing old school sales teams, sulking that they have to change their business model and so start hamstring rather than supporting the industry.
I have seen sales teams kybosh opportunities, just to avoid added expense or smaller margins.
It is a reason why I think we need to ditch the old sales sector and move into a new industry. I am concerned however that the old guard would rather blow up the whole industry than lose control!