The Stinger Report's gaze into the crystal ball for 2010 (updated)

Shaggy January 5, 2010 3

As 2010 in finally upon us, it’s a good time to take a look further into trends we can expect to see throughout the rest of the year. Thanks to Kevin Williams of The Stinger Report for bringing us this look!

– ‘Crystal Ball Gazing on “Digital Out-of-Home Entertainment” Trends 2010’

It is that time of the New Year when our free trade e-Newsletter (The Stinger Report)– likes to ponder some of the issues that will impact the international amusement  industry – and this year we thought we would give Arcade Heroes a sneak peak at our observations:

– KidTainment

The explosion of its popularity in Japan has been one of the many under reported stories of the amusement scene – though the growing following from the vital 6-12 age group and increased revenue, will prove harder to sideline in the New Year.

– Adults Rediscover Arcade

The ‘StayCation’ mentality of the Generation Z audience sees chains that mix food, drink and games gain greater mobility – all shaped by offering new game designs only available out-of-home in a social networking environment.
– Metal Gear Solid Arcade

One of the big shake-ups of E3’09 – the news of a arcade version of the popular Konami franchise – will get its first airing in March 2010… we hope!
– Diorama Amusement


Unique game systems using model dioramas that players control – the development of more physical elements to the amusement experience an immerging trend in the development of the genre.

– Connected Racers


Along with Taito (Top Speed) – Konami and Global VR (NASCAR-2) are all proposing to release amusement drivers with a connected (broadband) element – reminiscent of the 1998 ‘San Francisco Rush The Rock: Wave Net’ released by Atari.
– Co-Op & Multi-Players

The unique element of audience participation has been expanded into the amusement game experience with the increased inclusion of co-operative play. Though an element attempted by consumer casual gaming – amusement dose it better and bigger!

– Unique Interfaces

Though amusement may have done it first – it is still playing catch up on the Nintendo Wii in the home and new plans from Sony and Microsoft – 2010 will see the increased investment in special interface amusement – able to be better executed out-of-home!

These are just some of the possible big developments of 2010 – how many more will shape the amusement and attraction scene, represented as the ‘Digital Out-of-Home Entertainment’ sector, will be interesting to watch!

3 Comments »

  1. Shaggy January 5, 2010 at 1:32 am - Reply

    One thing you forgot to add Kevin was the inevitable release of Sega’s Ringwide and Ringedge home consoles, which we are still being told in our intital post about the arcade hardware is “confirmed for home release THIS YEAR!” by random people. 😉

  2. editor January 5, 2010 at 1:53 am - Reply

    ha ha!

  3. twinturbo2 January 5, 2010 at 4:32 pm - Reply

    Apparently, the big news in video gaming today is that EA Sports is bringing back NBA Jam for the Wii, with Mark Turmell as a special advisor.

    http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383972

    It would have been awesome to see this in arcades… maybe Global VR can pull it off…

Leave A Response »