A while back, Sega Amusements had been teasing a “major license” as a part of their upcoming IAAPA 2019 video line-up. For a while we could only speculate as to what it would be; then news of Mario & Sonic Olympics 2020 came along, and we kind of wondered if that might be it. It turns out that it isn’t, as this morning the company revealed a new game that serves as their latest entry into the world of 4-player Super Deluxe arcade gaming, Mission: Impossible Arcade.
Mission: Impossible is definitely a major franchise, and this marks the first time that it will grace the arcade scene (it’s been the focus of various console games since the 90’s). There hasn’t even been a pinball machine based on the IP, which is a little surprising. That Sega is taking this on, isn’t too much of a shock however, as they have worked with Paramount on the Transformers franchise a couple of times.
With this franchise at the heart of the game, it falls into the light-gun/shooter genre, but as mentioned, it is in a Super Deluxe, four player cabinet. Each player gets their hands on two pistols (kind of like Gunslinger Stratos), but each controller is mounted to the control panel. The press release, which is included below, also talks about how these guns are using new technology to reduce maintenance costs. To pull a quote: “Using cutting edge accelerometer technology increases controller reliability by reducing moving parts. The new controller allows a greater range of motion, smoother movement, great accuracy and its ergonomic design, makes gameplay very comfortable.” As I recall, the House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn guns also used accelerometers (something that is very common in console controllers since the Wii). They also added: “Using a single trigger fires a high accuracy shot while holding down both triggers allows for dual wield burst damage.”
That line was provided by the game’s producer, Shinichi Ogasawara. You might recall his name from other Sega arcade titles including Ocean Hunter, Jambo Safari, Operation Ghost, Let’s Go Jungle and various other games.
Here is the Mission: Impossible Arcade cabinet…to be honest, I was a little unsure of what to make of this at first, as it is radically different from your standard cabinet design. It hearkens back to Sega’s “Special Attraction” games, where you would have two opposing screens in something that was more of a room, but this is more compact than those. There is also a 65″ screen at the side; each team has a 55″ screen (unknown if that’s 1080p or 4K; it makes for three monitors in the machine total). There are teams (like Halo: Fireteam Raven) with Team Beta in blue on the left, and Team Reco in red on the right. There is also a live camera system to show top players in real time, just like was done with Daytona Championship USA.
The cabinet also incorporates motion sensing features to cause the cabinet to spring to life when someone is nearby, as was done with Scarlet Dawn. The includes the iconic fuse animation that Mission: Impossible is known for, likely done with LED lighting effects. There is no mention of a standard cabinet right now, but there is always a good chance that Sega could introduce one down the road (perhaps a 2-player that could be linked so it keeps the 4-player play intact).
On the gameplay, they describe it as thus: “Players will use advance spy gadgets and weapons to complete their missions. Playing as a single or two-person team players must complete missions before the rival team does. This adds a fun and competitive edge to the game as players will be competing versus real opponents in linked games or versus AI in un-linked games.“
My comment: This is interesting, as while we’ve had team play in games before, but this amps it up. It sounds like they’ve taken the idea that they introduced in Target Bravo: Operation GHOST (shown below to give you an idea, in case you missed that or forgot) with the different missions that you and a friend could compete on, and built on it. Note that you are not playing as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise’s character) here, but as an IMF trainee.
“The gameplay sees players complete 9 stages across 3 action-packed missions. Players will have to stealthily descend great heights, hack systems, eliminate opponents, track enemy targets, blast down doors, shoot and chase down enemies.”
My comment: This also sounds intriguing, with it all bringing to mind the closest thing we ever got to a Mission: Impossible game before this, Confidential Mission. By the description, this sounds like they went about remaking CM, adding the more iconic M:I IP to it.
This will debut at IAAPA 2019 exactly a week from today; fortunately I will be there to check it out and report back on how it looks and plays. What do you think about it from what we’ve seen so far?
Here is the full press release:
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, IS TO VISIT SEGA BOOTH 1506 AT IAAPA!
SEGA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ARCADE AT IAAPA.
SEGA is renowned for manufacturing highly profitable arcade games such as House of The Dead, Daytona, Lets Go Island and Transformers. Now with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ARCADE, based on the iconic Paramount Pictures franchise, SEGA brings one of the most influential, action-packed spy franchises to arcades and FEC’s worldwide. Paul Williams, CEO at SEGA says “We are thrilled to bring this multibillion-dollar blockbuster film franchise to our market. The incredible excitement for current films makes MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE one of the hottest licences for video games. We have given this game the all-star treatment, starting with a revolutionary new cabinet and packing in thrilling gameplay that instantly transports players into the Mission Impossible world and is sure to get them wanting more. With more MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE films planned, this franchise is, without doubt, a must-have for operators in 2020.”
Visitors to SEGA’s booth 1506 will be able to experience the immersive spy world when they enter the 4 player Super Deluxe Attraction cabinet. Designed to look like the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) safehouse, the interiors are full of details that convey the feel of the top-secret high-tech hideout. Edge lighting on the control area and on subwoofers, spot player lighting and LED floor lighting strips not only floods more light in the cabinet but also immerse the player in the hi-tech feel of the game. All the fast-paced action takes place on two huge 55” HD screens. Video camera feed shows the leading team player’s face in-game, adding a touch of competitive spirit. Four powerful bass shakers embedded in the floor in conjunction with surround sound and subwoofers lets players experience all the explosive action.
“The MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE films are some of the best spy movies ever made. The adrenaline-fueled action and twists make MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE a cultural phenomenon. We bring all this energy and excitement to the game. Every detail from cabinet to game software has been designed to immerse the player in the high-tech spy world of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.” Says Justin Burke, General Manager at SEGA.
The awe-inspiring attraction cabinet features the iconic “fuse” from the films. The bright fuse-like animation light around the edge of the cabinet moves gradually; giving this cabinet a distinctive look that engages player attention from across the room. A smart proximity sensor detects players movement and initiates a special message on the massive 65” attract screen inviting players to join the covert task force. Multi-sided artwork allows operators to feature the game as attraction centrepiece. Williams added, “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ARCADE ushers a brand-new era in cabinet design for the industry. Our R&D team is leading the way by bringing fresh new ideas and engineering to achieve this breath-taking cabinet design.”
The brand-new dual pistol controllers are the next stage in-game controller technology. Using cutting edge accelerometer technology increases controller reliability by reducing moving parts. The new controller allows a greater range of motion, smoother movement, great accuracy and its ergonomic design, makes gameplay very comfortable. Feature lighting on the controller entices players and encourages them to keep playing. “This new hardware synergizes perfectly with game software allowing us to create fun new elements to the way players eliminates enemies. Using a single trigger fires a high accuracy shot while holding down both triggers allows for dual wield burst damage,” says Shinichi Ogasawara, R&D Game Producer at SEGA.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ARCADE gameplay is easy to grasp, fun and full of thrilling action. Players take on the role as an IMF trainee and must complete missions to sabotage enemy plans that aim to weaponize humanoid robots. Players will use advance spy gadgets and weapons to complete their missions. Playing as a single or two-person team players must complete missions before the rival team does. This adds a fun and competitive edge to the game as players will be competing versus real opponents in linked games or versus AI in un-linked games.
The gameplay sees players complete 9 stages across 3 action-packed missions. Players will have to stealthily descend great heights, hack systems, eliminate opponents, track enemy targets, blast down doors, shoot and chase down enemies. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ARCADE gameplay software is truly packed with explosive action, excitement, suspense and humour from start to end.
Vince Moreno, US Sales Manager at SEGA, concluded with “Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to visit SEGA booth 1506 at IAAPA! You will not want to miss it. We will have our entire sales team and key R&D personnel to discuss this and other products at the show. We look forward to seeing you all at IAAPA from 18th to 21st November at the Orange County Convention Centre.”
For more information or pre-order contact SEGA on +1 847-364-9787, +44 (0)208 391 8090; sales@segaarcade.com, or contact your Local Authorized SEGA Distributor.
TM & © 2019 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
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