“Well that was fast” is a little bit of an understatement – yesterday I 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 teaser video, we knew nothing more about it. Today, it’s officially announced as coming to IAAPA 2023 – and we have details! Let’s take a deeper look at this new racing title.
NOTE THAT THE POST HAS BEEN UPDATED! There are a few more details that have come to light since I posted.
Apex Rebels – The Cabinet
One thing that I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post was the disclaimer that where the game was on test, the production version could be completely different from what was seen as a beta. Here’s proof of that as you can observe from the official cabinet render:
Instead of the 43/47″ monitors on the test version, you have a 65″ and the inclusion of an LED video billboard (similar to what was used in Adrenaline’s NFS Heat Takedown). It also uses a pneumatic motion base; Force feedback steering; Four colors for the seat moldings; A camera; and it can link up to four units.
That flattened hexagon on the sides I was wondering about previously are likely speakers. You can see something that looks like a shifter or lever below those on the right, but nothing is mentioned about it in the release. Renders only get you so far but at least I’ll see this one in person soon.
UPDATE: A separate email was sent out that had some interesting images inside of it, which included one showing the boost lever. I assume that this is how you activate the skills but it sounds like they upgrade as you race:
I do not know the price on this yet but that should also be available at the show. 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.
UPDATE: The Sega website listing for the game mentions a “49” monitor” which implies model. I called and asked Sega’s Marty Smith about it but he said the show will only feature the 65″ model. The existence of a smaller model might be an option down the road.
Apex Rebels – The Game
The cabinet draws you in, but what about the game itself? Fortunately, Sega has 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!
Recall from yesterday’s story that the game itself has been designed by 3MindWave, who is not a stranger to racing games, having created ATV Slam for Sega previously. This is also powered by Unreal Engine 5 so it should be a looker. That will be especially true if it’s pumping 4K@60FPS.
Per the press release(see below), “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 does 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 this from the info 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 SEGA Amusements by Kaizen Entertainment’s 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 suped-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 SEGA Amusements by Kaizen Entertainment’s booth 1006 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.
***END***
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!