Just a quickie post here. We recently highlighted news about Taito looking to test their NESiCAxLive 2 digital download arcade network in the states, and now it has begun. This tweet from the official Round 1 account provides the locations as well as a date…we have most of this month to check it out:
I’m still very busy in setting up a new route location, but I will see if I can manage to visit the “Shops at South Town” location that is near me to see how this is. The question I have after the test though is: if successful, then what? What are the costs? How will it be distributed? That would be helpful to know…
“then what” is it will be rolled out to r1usa locations and nowhere else. “loctest” doesn’t seem to have the same connotation to japanese companies as it does to the west. these aren’t actual on-site tests, they’re just launch events.
i can’t imagine these being offered to other locations in america because the market has proven it is unwilling to deal with online games and none of the three games on test are arcade exclusive or have arcade exclusive content.
Well, that is the reality now because some online-required arcade gams, like of 1 vs 1 fighting titles with home versions, seems to not to have major exclusive content and plays the same as home counterpart, and the only thing left for “arcade” is the arcade controls with dedicated cabinets.
However, fear not, as Exa Arcadia is about to have major announcements at JAEPO sometime between January 25-27 with more new games, pricing and lunch date, and Arcade-Exclusive versions that cannot be available on other versions. Think of Exa Arcadia as the definitive version with improvements from home/mobile iterations along with new control scheme templates that bring in more immersion than ever.
If Exa was smart, they would do all the advertising they could to get these into the barcade scene rather then just be for bigger locations. The NESiCA program needs to grow up on this to instead of trying to tie down markets to those who have access, otherwise they’re not really helping growth in the industry.
Think of where I’m at. I’m still salty that games like Killer Queen never came to my area, so no I’ve never had the shot to see what they play like. I’m certainly not alone on this and that’s where they need to target.
On Topic: Congratulations to Taito to showcase some games to the American market until the 27th with Round 1. I am sure that Taito can secure a good niche with arcade goers the best they can.
Other news:
@Voltz
Exa Arcadia is open to all kinds of people and businesses, thanks to its modular and affordable arcade kit rather than the dedicated cabinets that are prevalent in modern times.
After JAEPO 2019 with the launch date and prices, then Exa Arcadia will likely put more effort into pushing their product and presence to various arcades with a diverse lineup. I am really stoked about a 4 player launch kit too.
I went to the Broadway mall round 1 arcade yesterday. The game was housed in some 32″ red storm sit down cabs. They weren’t vewlix cabs. The game was out of order when I got there. 🙁
They had other cabs nearby.