“Well that was fast” is a little bit of an understatement – yesterday we ran a story on a somewhat mysterious arcade racer by the name of Apex Rebels. It had been seen on location test over in the UK, but aside from a short glimpse in a teaser video, we knew nothing more, or whether we would be seeing it sooner than later. Today, it has been officially announced and confirmed for IAAPA 2023 – and we have the details! Let’s take a deeper look at this new racing title from Sega Amusements, with some new updates.
Apex Rebels – The Cabinet
First off, our first full-view look at Apex Rebels’ cabinet following that glimpse. One thing that I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post was the disclaimer that since the game was on test, the production version could be completely different from what was seen as a beta – not just in software but hardware too. Here’s proof of that, as you can observe from this official cabinet render:
Instead of the 43/47″ monitors on the test version, Apex Rebels’ cabinet has a 65″ screen, and features a LED video billboard (similar to what was used in Adrenaline’s NFS Heat Takedown) instead of a static backlit one. It also uses a motion base, force feedback steering, four LED-illuminated translucent colors for the seat moldings, a camera, and can link up to four units. That flattened hexagon on the sides I was wondering about previously appears to be speakers. Overall it looks like a cross between NFS and F&F Arcade in design, but with a bit of added flair and difference to not appear a total copy of them.
I do not know the price on these cabinets yet, but that should also be available at IAAPA. I am also hoping that there will be a standard version available at some point. It never hurts to have more options, especially for us little guys. The website listing for the game does mention a “49” monitor” model, most likely the one we saw on test. I called and asked SAI’s Marty Smith about it but he said IAAPA will only feature the 65″ version. So a smaller model might simply be an option down the road instead.
Apex Rebels – The Game
The cabinet draws you in, but what about the game itself? Fortunately, Sega Amusements have provided some details on that aspect:
With five high-octane race cars to choose from, players have the power to control their racing destiny on the track. Players kickstart their journey by passing through one of three checkpoints that will determine the driving route best suited for their racing style. Passing through progressive checkpoints gives speed boosts and unlocks advanced skills like Slipstream, Power Drifts, and Aero-Drifts. Aero-Drift is a ground-breaking technique that raises the car, allowing players to race through corners at blazing speeds, effortlessly overtaking their rivals. Every aspect of gameplay is designed to be thrilling and encourages a competitive spirit that sees players take down their rivals and jump into slipstreams to earn an extra boost, giving them an edge to seize victory!
For more on that “Aero Drift” mechanic, this graphic sent out in a promotional email lays a little more on how it works. In the place of gear shifting, this could be an interesting way to add more strategy to gameplay.
You may recall from yesterday’s story that the game has been designed on Sega Amusements’ behalf by 3MindWave, who are not a stranger to racers, having created ATV Slam for them previously. It is also powered by Unreal Engine 5, so should be a looker. That will be especially true if it’s 4K @ 60FPS.
As per the press release (see below), SAI say “Apex Rebels is consistently a top video game on location, beating its closest rivals by a healthy margin”. Of course, I’d love to see those numbers but whether such info will be shared at IAAPA or not remains to be seen.
Quick Thoughts
Overall, this was a bit unexpected. It is true that Sega Amusements do tend to offer multiple racing options as a part of their line-up, but where they launched Storm Rider 2 and Drone Racing Genesis earlier this year, I wasn’t expecting them to also launch two more racing titles (Apex Rebels and Hyper Cross) at this IAAPA. Granted, these latter two might not start shipping until early next year. Either way, I’m not complaining as I love having options, both as a gamer and an operator.
It will be interesting to see how the Aero-Drift mechanic works, but stay tuned to here and the AH YouTube channel for video of it in action.
What are your thoughts on Apex Rebels from the information revealed so far?
Apex Rebels – Press Release
Apex Rebels: Feel every turn, conquer the Apex!
Get ready to unleash your inner racer with Apex Rebels! Brought to you by the leaders in top-performing entertainment games, SEGA Amusements, this product brings you a heart-pounding video motion game that’s a must-have for arcade, FEC, and entertainment operators, delivering a racing experience like no other. So, racers, start your engines and prepare for the race of a lifetime!
Be one of the first to experience this incredible game at the global launch event on the SEGA Amusements booth (#1006) at IAAPA from November 14th to 17th at the Orlando County Convention Centre in Florida.
“Apex Rebels is designed to cater to both casual and core players. Its intelligent adaptive difficulty system ensures that everyone can have a blast, while seasoned racers will find ample challenges in the game’s intelligent race mechanics. Apex racing is all about igniting your racing spirit, encouraging you to keep coming back for more – you’ve got to try it out at the show” says Marty Smith, USA Sales Manager at Sega Amusements.
With five high-octane race cars to choose from, players have the power to control their racing destiny on the track. Players kickstart their journey by passing through one of three checkpoints that will determine the driving route best suited for their racing style. Passing through progressive checkpoints gives speed boosts and unlocks advanced skills like Slipstream, Power Drifts, and Aero-Drifts. Aero-Drift is a ground-breaking technique that raises the car, allowing players to race through corners at blazing speeds, effortlessly overtaking their rivals. Every aspect of gameplay is designed to be thrilling and encourages a competitive spirit that sees players take down their rivals and jump into slipstreams to earn an extra boost, giving them an edge to seize victory!
The stunning cabinet of Apex Rebels is a showstopper in its own right. With a souped-up race car design, vibrant LED lighting, and eye-catching race liveries, it’s sure to turn heads at any location. The massive 65″ LED monitor, and the huge panoramic LED Video Billboard displays the leaderboard and track map, encouraging spectators to get in on the action and cheer on their favourite racers.
Get ready to experience every bump, twist, and turn with the Pneumatic Motion Base. With the power of Unreal Engine 5, Apex Rebels delivers stunning graphics. The steering wheel’s force feedback, combined with a real physics engine, provides an authentic sense of control in real-time. All these elements come together to deliver an unparalleled level of immersion that keeps players coming back for more.
“Apex Rebels is consistently a top video game on location, beating its closest rivals by a healthy margin. The reception to the game has been phenomenal, a testament to the game’s intelligent race mechanics, and stunning cabinet presentation that encourages social racing. Every aspect of the game indicates its high-quality, high-value entertainment and, with returns to support, is a must-have product for locations worldwide,” concluded Justin Burke, Sales Director at SEGA Amusements.
Race down to the SEGA Amusements booth at IAAPA and discover how Apex Rebels can help you outpace your competition by delivering exceptional racing experiences to your guests. At the booth, you will be greeted by our friendly team and a range of top-performing video, redemption, prize, and socially competitive games, all designed to turbocharge your business!
For further information, contact SEGA Amusements at +44 (0)208 391 8090 / +1 847-364-9787; sales@segaarcade.com.
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The more racing games for the arcades, the better, the arcades these days need more racing games so badly, especially something as colorful as these!