***Conferences
IAAPA - Orlando, FL
There is no other way to describe this show than fun. After having
labored over COMDEX earlier in the week this was a pleasure to attend. We
noticed a significant shift this year at IAAPA where technology based
entertainment was pervasive, however, IAAPA is not a technology show.
Roller coasters, large format films, food, ticket producers and even
insurance companies populate the floor seeking to sell goods and services
to amusement operators. Our report will focus on technology and in
particular the role that 3D played at IAAPA.
The 1997 IAAPA was more upbeat that years past. It seemed that the large
exhibits had scaled back while there were additional smaller exhibitors.
As before there were many hopeful companies wishing to sell expensive
rides. Certainly toping this list was Illusion with a seat cost of
$200,000 based on its formula 1 race car. The operators of these
amusement parks and FECs know their economics and they are very careful
about buying expensive rides. The one consistent winner in the ROI
contest is the roller coasters. We used this IAAPA to again explore this
area in more detail. It is easy to ask - what does a roller coaster have
to do with the success of 3D in out-of-home entertainment? It is a prime
competitor to the expensive rides. If a company is to buy 24 Illusion
cockpits for $4.8m they can buy a significant roller coaster with the
high probability of a return on investment. In this context it
competition between real and virtual. Past experience and this year's
IAAPA would give the best odds to a real experience.
The hands down winner as the supplier of 3D image generation is 3Dfx and
Quantum3D. We only found one exception to this, Tellirum with its own IG
(the same that Fightertown used). If 3Dfx and Quantum3D has had a
significant impact in that it is in enabling many companies to create 3D
interactive experiences. Yet, the new entertainment ride companies, in
large part have had very few sales and many were at IAAPA rolling out
their products for the first time. Thus, this is an expectant and hopeful
market. We have seen this before where new companies roll in with
expensive rides and eventually disappear. In spite of the lower cost of
PC components and the Voodoo based 3D accelerators, in most cases, we did
not see dramatically lower prices. When prices are above $20,000 the
potential for sales is counted in the 10's of units and the potential for
profitability diminishes to zero. We have dubbed these fingers and toes
markets - this is all that takes to count up the sales.
In the Quantum 3D booth they were handing out a list of companies using
their technology and it included:
MaxFlight
Thrillseekers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Motion Base, UK Ltd.
Vivid Group
Illusion
Happ Controls, Inc.
Dynamo Ltd.
Digital Vehicles
SEOS Display
Interactive Light
Dreamality Technologies, Inc.
Just having 3D does not assure a good game. Roy Latham, editor of Real
Time Graphics, observed that the priorities of the companies with 3D
graphics based rides included:
Motion Platform
Controls - drive and shoot
Content (way down in the list)
It seemed that the prevailing venue was defined by a motion platform with
a poorly done database in which the participant was to drive or fly.
Hardly a compelling game. We recall the Disney Aladdin ride that had the
combination of interesting content and excellent navigation. It still
ranks as the best VR entertainment experience yet.
We also noted little innovation in the forms of play and interaction.
Everything looked the same. Given that many of these companies are warmed
over defense contractors seeking new markets it is hardly surprising the
games had the look and feel of a flight simulator. In this respect the
major difference between IAAPA 2 years ago and now is that the 3D image
generation is much less expensive. There remains the same emphasis on the
shakers (motion platform) to move the riders around but the content issue
has largely been unaddressed.
Illusion
Illusion appears to have set the all time record of $200,000+ per seat
that even surpasses the Iwerks and E&S Virtual Adventures cost per seat.
We understand this has 5 Quantum 3D cards for each cockpit. See our
report in this issue on the Illusion installation in Las Vegas.
MaxFlight
After nearly 4 years of trying they seem to finally have a flight
simulator platform which can be sold. This is an odd looking 2 axis 360
degree motion base simulator. The motion is only in roll and pitch. Each
cockpit has two seats. A complete system includes two cockpits and a
training console which looks just like a arcade console. This is to allow
players to train before going into the actual simulator. The cost for a
system is $205,000.
Thompson
They unleashed a series of products.
Venturer S2
This has been available since 1995 and is a relaunched version of the
original small cockpit passive simulator. It is driven on a hydraulic
base and has room for two. The cost is $125,000 but the company is not
actively promoting this product with the release of the S2i and S2e
versions described below. Thompson claims that 150 have been sold. There
are a total of 5 rides and all are contained on a single laser disc. The
riders can select the ride at the beginning. The model 2 can be upgraded
to an interactive version for $15,000.
Venturer T20
This is the classic closed motion platform ride that seats 20. The cost
is $400,000.
Venturer S2e
A redesigned S2 using and electric motion base (3 axis) and stylish
motion capsule that seats 2. The cost is $50,000. This cockpit plays the
same games as the S2.
Venturer S2ei
An interactive version of the S2e which costs $65,000. There is one game
by GreyStone Technologies called XS-G. Only a demonstration game was
being shown on a video wall in the booth. Plans are to have 5 - 6 rides
by 1998.
SEOS
SEOS was testing the market with an immersive display ride. Basically a
panoramic display which is fed by 3 projectors which uses optical edge
blending. The player is in a cockpit positioned near the radius of the
screen so that the FOV is at least 120 degrees and can be up to 180
degrees. The display being shown at IAAPA used Barco projectors and 3Dfx
Voodoo based image generation. This unit with 10' radius was $500,000 but
an entertainment version would cost approximately $50,000. A smaller 7'
version could cost $35,000. We found the edge blending quite good.
Stricor
This is the odd looking capsule which sits on a motion base with an open
cockpit in the back side and uses 3 CRTs giving the impression of three
discreet windows into the game. The company uses exclusively PC games and
the first release is Descent II. The cost at IAAPA was $42,900.
Doron
The staple of the interactive platform business is Doron with its closed
capsule 3 axis motion base. The Transport 6 costs $119,000 and has the
distinction of being capable of being transported through standard double
doors. The standard SRV has 15 seats and costs $185,000. The content
library is now at 42 movies.
Mariah
In the booth were two race car simulators that looked like actual race
cars. The motion platform was 3 DOF but in X,Y and roll. One of the cars
was on loan from Dollywood. There are only two installations - the one in
Dollywood and one in New York. The cost per play is $5 in Dollywood for
the driver and $1 or the passenger. In New York the play is $7 for the
driver and $5 for the passenger. There is only one track now but they
expect to go to 12 races in the future. The pricing is unique in that one
cannot buy the vehicle. Only revenue sharing arrangements are available.
With a 75% to 25% split the cost is $67,500 and this drops to $50,000 if
the split is 60% to 40%. They can network up to 4 cars and expect to go
to 8 in the future.
The CM 300 Corp.
Taking VR and entertainment on a totally different path The CM 300 Corp.
has created a driving game which has actual miniature cars on a miniature
race track which is 40' X 20'. Within each car is a camera that is linked
to a display in a HMD. The driver sets in a seat with a steering wheel
and pedals. His or her contact with the driving is only tactile because
the HMD covers the complete visual FOV. A typical track will support up
to 6 cars and thus there is the need for 6 seats next to the track for
the drivers. Six cars, the race track and seats cost $75,000. A race is
expected to cost $5.00
e-mail: cybermin@inforamp.net
Cybermind Interactive Europe AG
This is a public company traded on the Berlin Stock Exchange which was
indirectly related to the Cybermind VR sites in the U.S. (now closed).
Cybermind Interactive Europe had two stories to tell at IAAPA. First it
has picked up the Virtuality equipment and was at IAAPA to show its
support to the Virtuality customer base. They will also support US
customers and the details are being worked. Being sold was the original
sit down and stand up units, which they call SD 2000 and SU 2000. Another
variant is the rifle shooting version that they call Total Recoil 2000e.
One of the more innovative products at the show was the VR Chair. This is
a pod with 2 DOF in the shape of a tear drop. It is based on a PC
platform with 3Dfx acceleration. The platform movement is 60 degrees.
When one sits in the pod a CRT is between ones feet. Games listed
include: Extreme Assault, Descent II, Motoracer, Wipeout 2049, Terminal
Velocity, Interstate 76, POD and Flying Aces II. These pods will be
available in February or March. The striking factor is the projected
price $9,000 and possibly lower (the price has not been determined).
www.cybermind.de
Virtual Systems
Shown in the booth was a complete standup VR game system for $14,800.
This is PC based and a game typically costs $750. The system uses and HMD
for an immersive experience.
www.virtualsystemsinc.com
Vertogo
FunPrint 2000 is a PC based 2 DOF motion based game. A motion chair with
15 degrees of pitch and roll sits in front of a 33 inch VGA monitor. The
system costs $8,900 and uses the 3Dfx accelerator. Current games include:
Lunar Defense, Bumpers and Flux. Additional games cost $1,000 to $3,000.
A 6 DOF platform is available for $16,900 and it sits in front of a $52"
monitor. In the fist half of 1998 there is expected to be 2 new games and
the company expects to release 4 - 6 games per year.
www.vertogo.com
Digital Vehicles
These are racing simulators based on PCs and the 3Dfx chip set. All of
the models have 3 screens. The model 8327 is called the formula at
$18,700 with the next step up to the Deluxe at $23,400. The Deluxe Twin
costs $45,400. The Deluxe cockpit looks more like an actual Formula
cockpit and the back of the cockpit has actual tires.
e-mail: digvehicle@aol.com
Fantasy Factory
Shown also at IAAPA for the first time was Minuette a 2 DOF motion seat.
The seat is located on a level arm from the motion box. Suspended above
the seat is a screen where the game is displayed. What was on the floor
was only an early prototype. This will run any PC game. A single seat
system is $40,000 and two seat is $60,000. Production is expected to
begin in January.
www.fantasyfactory.net
Tellurian
Using its own 3D technology Tellurian was showing three games. The
Fighter Pod has a single 31" monitor for 3D viewing of the Airwar '44
game. The Pod costs $27,000 and with a motion seat there is an additional
$12,000. Another game was called the Flight Operations Hanger that comes
in a triple channel ($41,400) and five channel ($56,400) configuration.
The motion base is also $12,000 extra. A flying cockpit called P-51 that
has 5 channels costs $78,000. The motion base is also available for this
game.
www.tellurian-vr.com
Motionbase
Another defense contractor from England used IAAPA to launch another
motion platform based on 3Dfx image generation. This a stylish pod which
has a 3 screen display using collimated optics (3 accelerator cards are
required). The FOV is 48 degrees horizontal and 36 degrees vertical. The
motion platform is 6 DOF and electrically driven. Three games are under
development: Eurofighter 2000, Formula 1 and Battle storm. There is only
one seat in the pod that costs $100,000.
www.motionbase.com
Adventure Quest
Using the same basic capsule which seats 2 Adventure Quest was showing
the M-4 and announced the Millennium. The M-4 will rotate 360 degrees and
also do pitch and yaw. A unique element of M-4 is that it can be readily
transported to events and temporary locations. This is a passive ride
which shown from a laserdisc. There are 5 films available. The cost of an
M-4 is $70,000.
www.advquest.com
Thrillseekers Australia Pty LTD
Yet another motion pod for an interactive 3D experience using 3Dfx cards
was show by Thrillseekers. This is a 6 DOF electrically driven tear
shaped pod that costs $110,000. The first game is Wipeout 2097. The
product is called Voyager F5000. The company was also promoting the
ability to network pods.
thrillseekers.com.au
Chamber Entertainment
This is another simulator capsule company. They claim 50 films are
available for their platforms. The Morphis SP 6 - 8 costs $150,000 and
the 14 - 20 seat version is $250,000. A new electric motion based
interactive pod the FX-2 was being shown and it costs $75,000. First
units are expected to be produced in January.
e-mail: sales@camber.co.uk
Flight Avionics
This simulator company used IAAPA to roll out more new variations on the
motion capsule. The price list had 6 different motion capsules. The
smallest was the Hawk 2 axis hydraulic that has seating for 6 at
$109,950, 8 at $110,950 and 12 at $126,950. To go to a 6 DOF in the
Predator product runs 8 at $175,950, 12 at $229,950, 17 at $255,950 and
30 at $372,950. Flight Avionics states that they have 15 films for free.
Flight Avionics LTD
21 Foreshore
Scarborough, England
Y011 1PB
{44} (0) 1723 501016 Phone
{44} (0) 1723 365365 FAX
Incredible Technologies
4th Wave, parent to the WAVE Report, did a recent survey of amusement
operators. The popularity of Golden Tee Golf from Incredible Technologies
was of particular note in the responses we got. In fact, one operator
stated he would purchase 100:1 of Golden Tee Golf over the more expensive
simulator pieces. Incredible Technologies was at IAAPA and we had an
opportunity to find out why they are so popular. (Secret - its ROI for
the operators.)
Golden Tee Golf comes in three cabinets: dedicated upright, cocktail
cabinet and countertop cabinet. There are three variations of a given
game that can be purchased: kit (just the electronics) ($1,500), the
dedicated unit (with the cabinet) ($3,200 to $3,500) and a tournament
version with modem ($4,500). In addition to the golf game there are
others which include ShuffleShot and World Class Bowling. These games are
2D sprite based and the electronics is on a custom PCB. The games include
a bill acceptor that will take bills from $1 to $20. The striking factor
responsible for the operator popularity is that Golden Tee Golf takes in
$250 - $500/week consistently while Bowling is slightly less at
$150/week. Incredible Technologies has developed the International
Tournament System to link their games. There are 2,000 of the tournament
machines and these dispense $80,000 in winnings per month. The installed
base of the Incredible Technology games is 25,000. In the coin-op market
today this is a real winner.
This relative success of these games is indicative of the following:
Appeal to an older audience with funds to spend;
Low cost of the units with appealing play that generates
a consistent income flow;
Networked Play and
Simplicity of design
This all seems pretty simple but it was in marked contrast with the rest
of the floor at IAAPA.
www.itsgames.com
SNK
SNK was showing early versions of its new Hyper 64 NeoGeo. This is the
long awaited next generation software cartridge game. NeoGeo has had
considerable success with operators because of the software modularity
and reasonable prices. With the Hyper 64 system the much-needed update
has arrived. Although they passed out the specifications the information
was scant on the 3D capabilities. The first units are not actually
shipping yet. A dedicated cabinet will cost $4,900 and a driving cabinet
$7,500. Software is expected to be priced at $1,900 per game.
SNK Corporation of America
20603 Earl Street
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 371-7100
(310) 371-0969 FAX
Sega Gameworks
A number of new games were being shown in the booth for the first time.
Sega Bass Fishing is another innovative way to provide a new interface to
a game. Using the Real3D Model 3 image generator this game simulates
fishing with an actual line and reel. Production is expected in January
and the price has not been set yet.
Waterski is another game with an interface tailored to match the game. It
is expected the first of December and will be priced at $18,500.
Shown as more of a theme park or FEC attraction was PowerSled due in Q1.
This rotated about an axis that faced the screen. A bank for four is
expected to sell for $650,000 to $750,000. Likewise the Lost World game
has been improved considerably with motion and recoil guns. It is also
expected to sell near $750,000 for four.
Namco
Forging ahead in the human interface to games Namco was showing
RapidRiver that simulates white water rafting. Two players set on a seat
that looks like part of a raft in front of a 50" screen. The control
mechanism is a dual paddle that is controlled by each rider. This paddle
simulates the control of the raft. The game has multiple branches to
simulate different routes down the river. The first units are to be
available in Q1 and pricing has not been set.
Another 3D game shown at IAAPA was Motocross Go! It has a 27" screen and
motorcycle to be ridden as the interface. The cost is $11,000.
Also shown for the first time was Pinpoint shot. This is a rifle game
that allows the players to shoot up to 90 feet away. Due in Q2 no pricing
has been set.
www.namco.com
Super Cinema 3D
With 30 installed systems this Swiss company illustrates that film based
3D still has a following. There are 13 films that the public pays $5 - $8
to ride. Some of the films are for a stationary audience and these run 12
- 15 minutes while the motion based theaters have movies which only last
4 minutes. (In order to avoid sick audiences one can only shake them so
long.) The operators rent the movies from the parent company on a yearly
basis. Typical films include water rafting, down hill skiing, jets and go
carts. All viewers wear glasses. The projectors use 70mm film. The
theaters can seat up to 300 and the capacity will reach 1,500 per hour
(no motion). On a motion platform the seats are in clusters of 2 to 24
and have 6 DOF. Domes typically range in size from 18m to 22m. Although
every theater is custom an installation typically runs $2 - $2.5 million
of which $1 million is for the dome.
Vergnugungsbetriebe AG
General-Guisan-Quai 22
8002 Zurich, Switzerland
{41}-1-737-20-55 Phone
{44}-1-737-04-53 FAX
Brunswick Corp.
We picked up from the booth that Brunswick is scouting a location in
California for a second Reds Rec Room.
Superstar Dragsters
When it comes to reality this company has a unique product - Top
Eliminator. The public can buy a real dragster ride on a drag strip. The
car is participates in races with other cars on the track with fast
acceleration and screeching tires. There are five installations: City of
Industry (L.A. area), Kent Washington, Atlanta, Utah (Lagoon Park) and
Japan. The cost is $250,000 per lane and the number of lanes can go from
4 to 10. In addition to the cost of the car and support an operator would
need to invest $40,000 to prepare the site. Each lane is 422' long with
the actual acceleration run being 190'. The dragsters go from 0 to 70 mph
in 3 seconds. For safety each car is guided in a underground channel. A
guide rail is bolted on the bottom of the car so that there is no chance
of the car leaving the track path. The engine in each car is a 350 cu.
in. Chevy. Stopping is accomplished by clamping onto the blade attached
to the frame. There is a complete safety system for the car and the lanes
which is controlled by a PC. A ride costs $15. This has to set an all
time high for cost at $112.50/minute based on a 3 second run. The company
expects to build 40 new lanes in 1997 and has a backlog of 120 lanes.
Shown at IAAPA for the first time was a new ride - Turbo Sled. This is
basically a snow mobile. The racing principle is very similar - long
linear track. It is expected to cost $190,000 for 2 lanes with a top
speed of 60 - 65 mph. 2 installations are expected to be completed in
1998.
Thrilltime Entertainment International
322 - 4585 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5G 4L6
e-mail: info@thrilltime.com
Sky Fun
Being shown for the first time was SkyVenture a sky diving simulator.
This is basically a large ducted fan that blows air at 125 mph. Two
individuals - an instructor and the rider - get into a chamber and ride
the air. Surrounding the chamber is an observation area. The total
experience is 20 minutes that includes the suiting up and the actual ride
is 2 minutes. Up to 30 rides can be handled in an hour. Only a model was
being shown and no installations have been made. The cost is $1.5m for
the SkyVenture.
www.skyfun.com
Lest one get complacent with high technology we also sampled the roller
coaster companies.
F.lli Pinfari
This Italian firm was showing various models of its roller coasters. The
new Breathless model has a run of 2,132 feet and has a capacity of 1,300
per hour. This is a three pipe configuration - the rails that form the
track of the coaster are made out of three independent rails that are
coupled together with an attachment plate. This ride will cost $3.5 to $4
million. A 2 pipe coaster that fits into a 47 meter plot of land and has
a run of 1,400 feet costs $850,000.
F.lli Pinfari s.r.l
46029 SUZZARA (Matova)
Italy
0039 376 535010 Phone
0039 376 531326 FAX
M.E.G.A. Rides
At the show they sold the Himalaya roller coaster. This had gone into a
new amusement park in Germany that went our of business even before it
opened. The roller coaster was build by Schwarzkopf and claimed to be the
worlds fastest. The total length is 2,500 feet. It sold for $2.5 m. This
coaster will be disassembled by 6 men and two cranes in 10 days. It
occupies 60 trailers 40 feet in length.
MEGA Rides
(202)462-4614
Pax Design Co.
This is one from Russia that we have spoken to a previous IAAPA shows.
They have significantly upgraded their capabilities and how have the
ability to do inverted all steel designs. Its premier design, Cobra, was
installed in Saudi Arabia and has a total run of 1082 feet and a capacity
of 900 per hour. It costs only $1.298 m. This design has two 360 degree
vertical loops.
When compared to a 24 capsule Illusion system for $4.8m one wonders where
the money is best spent - roller coasters or a simulation based ride? It
does not take much to realize that with capacity numbers in the 1000
range the ROI for roller coasters runs circles around the typical
simulator. As Manhattan Express has shown the visitors, even in Las
Vegas, love them.
Forrec
We spoke with Jeffrey McNair, President of Forrec, and a leading designer
of entertainment facilities. Jeffrey sees as essential to the many
emerging entertainment complexes the need for lots of diverse product.
These facilities must appeal to individuals in many circumstances.
Jeffrey feels that this is one of the reasons for the success of Dave &
Busters and why Reds Rec Room also has such an appeal. Repeat visitation
is the key to success. Related is the ability of a facility to appeal to
an individual in many circumstances - with friends after work, to bring
the family on a Friday night and to take business partners for lunch.
According to Jeffrey one must like the space and it should be warm and
inviting. Such facilities may have the big arcade pieces but typically
they will have only a few - the return simply does not justify the cost.
Thus, it does not surprise him that Gameworks is not doing well - too
narrow an appeal and it does not provide the type of environment that
appeals to a broad age group under many circumstances.
Assessment
IAAPA this year was the classic example of hope springs eternal. The
thinking seems to go - We only need to bring our concept to the show
floor and it will be an instant winner. Yet, over and over those we speak
to, and our observations over many years of the IAAPA show floor, tell a
different story. That is, operators are not interested in the technology
as such. They are looking for those rides and games that will make money
in their facilities. Just because there were many technology based rides
at IAAPA does not imply success. A excellent case on point is Incredible
Technologies. They have a solid product, with the potential for diversity
of play through networking, which is reasonably priced. The end result is
a quantity of units seldom seen in coin-op. Even Incredible Technologies
has little in the way of technology. Modems and 2D sprites are old
technology. If Cybermind can pull off its motion cockpit for $8,000 or
less this is likely to be winner. They have to keep it running and price
it reasonably with good PC games.
IAAPA was another example of how much the out-of-home entertainment
business is changing based on a stream of technology from the PC
platform. At the same time reliable products such as roller coasters are
hard to beat. The bottom line remains ROI and the operators are the first
line of purchase assessment. At IAAPA they kicked the tires and
frequently real won over virtual.
Wave Issue 9735 1/23/98 Article 2-01