Apologies about the lack of posts on the site lately – there are a few stories “brewing” behind the scenes at the moment, but until all of the info is released, they are stories that just hang out in the draft setting.
Fortunately, we do have some events coming up that should generate some headlines, although at the moment everything I’m seeing in this regard is redemption/prize related. One event that is currently taking place in Chicago is the AAMA Gala, although I’m not sure how much news will come out of that (it’s usually not much as the product portion of it is pretty low key). The next trade show will be taking place next week in Paris, France by the name of the IAAPA Expo Europe 2019. Not many companies have announced the intended line-up, but a couple have so let’s take a peak.
UPDATE: After publishing this post this morning, some other manufacturers alerted me or posted news of products they’ll have on hand. Scroll down to find the additions.
Sega sent out a release this morning that showcases a number of products. They will have three video pieces on hand: ATV Slam, House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn, and ICE’s Centipede Chaos (keep in mind, Sega is ICE’s European distributor, so that is why you see so many ICE products being promoted on Sega Amusements’ social media). Nothing “new-new” from our perspective that hasn’t been seen before, so we’ll have to wait for the main IAAPA Expo in November to see what new video Sega is working on. Although if you are planning on attending IAAPA Europe, then perhaps this might be your first time seeing one of these titles. I’ve been wanting to see ATV Slam more than the appearance in Vegas this past March to get a better feel for the game, but I only had that one chance to play it.
For fans of redemption & prizes, Sega will be showing off some new concepts, including a new variation of their older Shoot This Win This concept called Shoot It Win It, that blends an old school mechanical shooting gallery with instant prize redemption, and a four player crane machine called Cubic 4 Catcher. This one is a variation on the super popular UFO Catcher series.
Since we’re still on the subject of redemption, there are a couple of other products worth mentioning. I don’t believe they will be at IAAPA EU, but Andamiro has unveiled a couple of ticket games: Ticket Man: Game of Steel and Jurassic World Island Escape (this is the only place I’ve seen the games mentioned so far). These two will be at IAAPA 2019 in Orlando.
UPDATE: Wik will have two videmption pieces on hand, Circus Drop (which appears to be like the Plinko style games that have been popular for a while) and Arcade Buzz, which looks like a Flappy Bird style game, but with bees and for three players, It also uses one of those spinning hologram marquees for an additional attractive effect (thanks to Luke Bohosiewicz for the update on these)
Back to IAAPA Expo Europe 2019, and something more video focused, SCALE-1 Portal, a company we’ve mentioned a few times over the years, will be showing off a new version of their “Voxel” product called the Voxel Arena. This appears to fully embrace VR headsets instead of 3D projection mapping with lightweight glasses. The software shown here takes on an escape room feel, as 4 players work together in a sci-fi setting:
UPDATE: After publishing this post, Hologate announced the Hologate Blitz. This appears to be a full-blown motion simulator machine with VR for the display instead of a flat panel screen. It will be at the Expo as well:
We are thrilled to announce our ground-breaking new product:
⚡ HOLOGATE BLITZ! ⚡
We'll share more info soon, in the mean-time check out our HOLOGATE BLITZ teaser trailer, and see you at @IAAPAHQ Expo Europe – Paris! pic.twitter.com/DzlhRgGtao
— HOLOGATE (@HOLOGATE) September 12, 2019
Kevin WIlliams of The Stinger Report and the DNA Association also teased a new AR concept that features drone play. Looks neat by the render, but will need to see it in action.
#AugmentReality enters the #LBE sector with the launch of @ArcaDrone at @IAAPAEMEA – exclusive full coverage follows soon! pic.twitter.com/VHNp0sKiks
— DigitalOutOfHomeEnt (@DNA_Conference) September 11, 2019
I haven’t seen any announcements from anyone else in regards to IAAPA Expo Europe 2019, but if that changes I’ll update this post.
