A few weeks back, we ran a post on two new arcade games on location test, one of them being a new VR shooter by the name of Alpha Ops VR Strike that Sega Amusements were trying out in the USA and UK. That looked like it was going to be their main announcement for the season, but things went quiet for a little while afterward. Now, they have officially unveiled the release in full for IAAPA 2024, allowing us to get a closer view of what it’s like (including in some gameplay footage exclusive to us near the end of the post)…
Alpha Ops VR Strike – The Cabinet
First, let’s take a look at the cabinet. Though we already saw a bit of this last month, thanks to the photos sent in by Ted and an anonymous tipster, now we have some concrete details to report. The overall design differs from Sega Amusements’ previous virtual reality release VR Agent quite heavily, being based on a armored military vehicle (with hints of Sega’s older Target Bravo version of Operation Ghost, for those who may remember it), and using motion seats instead of the free-standing format:
This uses a 4.1 surround sound system (an unusual but cool one to have, where we usually see 2.1 or 5.1 systems) and two vertical 86″ 4K monitors to both heighten immersion and give spectators a taste of the action. The placement of those makes it stand out pretty well from other recent VR shooters too; the likes of Godzilla Kaiju Wars VR have had their monitors up at the back and in landscape format, facing outward, but behind where players using the VR headsets would be looking.
One aspect where it follows VR Agent more closely is its guns and headsets, which again are combined for players to hold up to their heads without the added procedure of fixing them around with straps. That was a unique feature, which even got copied by a few companies following the game’s success. These have been slightly redesigned too though, looking even more comfortable to hold now:
Alpha Ops VR Strike – The Game
In terms of the game, a little more is known now about how much content we’re getting and how it plays. True to the cabinet’s design, players will be immersed as soldiers in the titular Alpha Ops armored military vehicle, traversing and gunning their way through three different levels with many enemies and sudden ambushes: Desert Gorge, Ice Blizzard, and the Boss Stage.
The game is powered by Unreal Engine 5, following other recent arcade releases that have similarly gone for it to lend them some great higher-end visuals. Arcade shooters that have recently used it include Triotech’s QUBE/Super Blaster simulators, and GoldStorm Pirates looks set to as well, but Alpha Ops might be one of the first in that genre to do so in arcade VR also.
But that’s not all, as we have some exclusive gameplay footage. Alongside the photos sent in by our anonymous tipster who saw it on test in the US, they also provided a brief video of the Desert Gorge stage. This has been already available to AH YouTube channel members for the past couple weeks in a lower quality screen-recorded capacity, but thanks to some help from Ted here is the original:
Quick Thoughts
Seeing as they are known to be involved here too… between this and other recent games co-developed with them such as Apex Rebels, 3MindWave certainly has become a crucial company within Sega Amusements’ arcade market strategy. While some might have assumed that they’d just copy Godzilla together (since that’s been the biggest arcade VR game around lately), it’s cool to see that they are looking to push their own way forward as they did with VR Agent – which Oga-Shi kind of foreshadowed in his interview with us and the 3MW head earlier this year.
Of course, the challenge remains with these kinds of games that they are very expensive and the main arcade/amusement center market has been down in some respects through this year. Just that makes me wonder how things will be at IAAPA and the current operator response to big deluxe VR/motion pieces like these; although with the US election finally over, we should soon have a idea of where things are headed into 2025. Either way, it’ll be a while before I know personally where that stands for myself and any purchasing strategy in the future with my arcade.
How might it perform versus Godzilla? I haven’t heard anything about test earnings, besides the obvious quote from Justin in the below full press release, so no clue. Being a sit-down game with motion likely helps vs. the stand-up method that VR Agent used.
What do you think of Alpha Ops VR Strike from what we’ve shown so far? Would you like to see it at an arcade near you?
Alpha Ops VR Strike – Press Release
Get your combat boots ready as SEGA Amusements unveils Alpha Ops VR Strike at IAAPA Expo!
Brace yourself for the utmost VR combat experience as SEGA Amusements International unveils the next generation of arcade VR with Alpha Ops VR Strike at Booth 1006, Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, Florida, from 19th to 22nd November, at IAAPA Expo. This cutting-edge, motion-based VR game transports players straight into the heat of battle, delivering all the firepower, intensity, and edge-of-your-seat action that arcade fans demand.
At the core of this adrenaline-pumping experience is SEGA’s revolutionary hybrid VR controller. Unlike conventional VR setups where players juggle separate headsets and weapons, Alpha Ops VR Strike merges these elements into a single, intuitive device. The hybrid controller makes it so easy for players to get into the action. This unique approach enhances immersion, making gameplay feel completely natural as players shift seamlessly between looking, aiming, and firing.
The cabinet itself is a showstopper, styled as a rugged military vehicle outfitted with massive dual 86” 4K displays to give spectators a view of the intense VR action. Adding to the immersive player experience is a highly responsive motion platform and a 4.1 surround sound system designed to bring every explosive moment to life. LED lighting highlights the machine’s battle-ready design, making Alpha Ops VR Strike an irresistible draw on any arcade floor.
Alpha Ops VR Strike is set to redefine the arcade shooter genre, placing players in the thick of futuristic combat as part of the elite Alpha Ops squad. Strapped into a virtual armoured vehicle, players must survive relentless waves of enemies, fend off ambushes, and confront a powerful boss across three jaw-dropping stages. From the snow-packed challenges of Ice Blizzard to the blazing deserts of Desert Gorge, each level is a cinematic experience powered by Unreal Engine 5, bringing battlefields to life with an unparalleled level of realism.
“Alpha Ops VR Strike has been performing incredibly well in the field, proving its exceptional entertainment value. And with its coin-operated, attendant-free setup, it’s ideal for high-traffic entertainment venues,” says Justin Burke, Sales Director at SEGA Amusements.
Join us at IAAPA, Booth 1006, from 19th to 22nd November to be among the first to experience Alpha Ops VR Strike and see how SEGA Amusements is redefining the VR arcade experience.
Stay tuned for more exciting product announcements!
