Trade show season is here, and with the sector in China taking the first step with the GTI Asia China Expo on September 11th-13th, we have a new game to discuss. The first comes from one of our sponsors, Wahlap Technology and is a new entry in the popular Asphalt racing series.
Backtracking for a quick moment, IGS, Gameloft and Wahlap teamed up to bring Asphalt 9 Legends to arcades, now they are doing so for Asphalt 8 Airborne, which had a motorcycle update that this new game is based upon. As any Asphalt racing fan will have noticed in Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade however, the game has changed quite a bit so that it works properly with the needs of the arcade.
Asphalt Moto Blitz is in essence, a sequel to Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade where the action is focused on motorcycles, although while you race, you will face off against NPCs on bikes as well as 6 supercars. Here’s the trailer then I have more info from Wahlap to share:
Let’s start with the game cabinet. It’s a twin model (two player units linked that share 1 marquee and coin box) with molded swivel seat bikes. These are different from the models seen with Wahlap’s other motorcycle racing piece, Storm Rider 2.although just the presence of the Asphalt license may give this one a boost:
Each seat has a 3-axis motion base, a 49″ screen, a fan, a camera, and a “vibrating horn” which I take to mean a subwoofer in the seat. It offers one more axis of motion than Storm Rider 2 does, and it has a “Motion Camera” which I’m guessing means a dynamic camera. Two twin units can connect, allowing up to four people to play together. 
There are fourteen selectable bikes, four game modes, customizable suits/avatars (it says 7.5 million combinations are available), twelve courses (three more are available if connected online). Online connectivity will also unlock another bike and more character customization options; It mentions that it uses WeChat in China but I’m not sure if that feature will see something like X/Twitter or Facebook connectivity once it comes over here.
Gameplay puts a focus on collecting nitro via jumps, drifting, and taking down opponent vehicles by performing a spin (pump the brake twice). A “career mode” is mentioned in one of the documents I received but I’m not sure which one of the above it applies to. In that mode, the game is “divided into 5 leagues of increasing difficulty, with a total of 24 races for players to challenge. Each race has 3 objectives, which can be achieved by upgrading the current motorbike and improving its attributes. Perfectly pass 24 races to upgrade your motorbike to full level.”
As mentioned, the game will debut at the GTI Asia China Expo in Guangzhou. At the moment there is no announcement in regards to Western distribution on this game – Wahlap’s worked with just about every one although they did Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade with LAI Games while Sega is currently carrying Storm Rider 2. Wahlap themselves will be at IAAPA 2023 so regardless, I’m sure we’ll know who might carry this by the time of that show.
What are your thoughts on this?
