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The Stinger Report #1236 - China Entertainment Future War-plan
The Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo (AAA) 2025 in Guangzhou highlighted key industry trends, notably the surge in skill-based and multi-player experiences. Innovative offerings included Chinese manufacturers showcasing new wave crane machines, multi-screen racing simulators like ‘Neon Rush’ and ‘Wangan Midnight: Speed Ignition,’ and a focus on four-player shooter and ride platforms such as ACE’s ‘Wild Hunter’ and FlameStone’s ‘Thunder Attack.’ The show underscored the rising prominence of competitive, skill-based gaming, with Chinese firms increasingly introducing original designs and proprietary IP, exemplified by SNK's return with ‘King of Fighters’ cabinets. Additionally, the event reflected a growing preference for immersive, multi-player and VR experiences, alongside a burgeoning market for crane and prize machines, despite ongoing scrutiny over their fairness and skill reliance. Overall, AAA’25 signals a rapid evolution towards more engaging, technologically advanced entertainment options, with Chinese manufacturers leading innovative product development and expanding their influence into Western markets.
This is the Stinger Report, issue number 1236, china Entertainment Future War Plan by Kevin Williams, continuing the coverage of the 21st Asia Amusement and Attractions Expo, AAAA, in Guangzhou. And we move on towards the other influential exhibitors filling the massive halls of the leading trade event that influences both the Asian and Western markets. Looking at other local manufacturers and Unis technologies, with a prominent booth next to the Warrlott Pavilion and the big showing being a two-screen motion cycle racer, the futuristic space racer called Neon Rush, which has been seen at IAPA last year, being given pride of place at the show with a four-player network setup. Also shown, dino Storm, an innovative fusion of exogaming and thrilling adventure with innovative ore controls, harking back to games like Namco's 1997 Rapid River Round-based card battler. Amazing Universe, the two-player game with collectible vended cards was shown also for the first time, seeming to be the Chinese division's answer to the Raw Thrills Minecraft Arcade success. Card battlers, seeming to be a genre trending heavily during the show. Bandai Namco Entertainment Chinese division. Namco Enterprise Asia exhibiting at the show, again representing the support that the Technica division makes in the territory, showing previously released titles on the booth as a reflection of the extensive library to call upon Speaking IFBN Amusement Operations in Japan and the same month as ALA25, the corporation held in Tokyo the Bandai Namco Technica's Joint Exhibition 2025.
Speaker 1:This is a private showcase for BN partners and affiliates and included the latest releases intended for facility deployment via the After Sales Service Division supporting BN and other operations. One surprise invited presentation was from 3Mindwave, who brought an example of the joint SAI-developed Alpha Op Strike VR, the team from 3Mindwave offering insights on the game's development with the BANDAINAMCOAM team. Several new releases and early production prototypes were seen regarding games going on lock test. One of these is the latest in BN's successful Street Racer series has started the lock testing of Wangen Midnight Speed Ignition. The 14th in the series of races sees improved HD graphics, wider roaster of licensed vehicles and an enhanced tournament feature supported by the WM Passport IC card. Chances on a Western release are still unknown.
Speaker 1:Speaking about Japan and further consolidation and restructuring was revealed from amusement-facing operations. It was announced that Konami transferred a portion of the business of its wholly owned subsidiary Konami Amusement to Konami Arcade Games, a new company. This has been done to accelerate decision-making and enable flexible, responsive management aligned with the specific characteristics of each market. Been done to accelerate decision-making and enable flexible, responsive management aligned with the specific characteristics of each market, thereby driving further growth and expansion of both businesses. It was also reported in some media to separate the arcade game development from the pachinko, pachislot and metal machine operation. We will have to wait till after June to see the results of this development, though there are many elements of the manufacturing and development process that will be retained by Konami Amusement. These operations have also seen significant departures of senior management as part of the restructuring.
Speaker 1:Returning to the ALA25 Expo and a big placement and a highly hectic booth for Ace Amusement, with a selection of their current videos, prize and redemption properties, one of the small numbers of highly active direct sales Chinese manufacturers, the company, at their home show, presented some new releases, such as a new combat gun game, ace Shooter. There was some serious policing of the no-photo rules of the show booth. Now that the Chinese exhibitors are originating their own designs, the protection of original ideas seems more enforced. New releases seen from Ace also included a new street racer, racing Extreme, coming in the now-established two-screen motion seat and standard single-screen variants, along with a new two-rider motion motorbike racer, originally named Biker's Madness, available in the two-screen and standard screen configuration. A mystical dragon riding blaster called Dragon Kingdom, which seemed to be a re-skinned version of the adrenaline amusement release Drakken's Realm Keeper for the Chinese market. An interesting new release seen on the Ace booth was Wild Hunter Heat of the Hunt, a wild animal hunting game in the style of Big Buck Hunter and available in a four-player and two-player variants. The shotgun blaster seemed to borrow a lot of the elements familiar with the wild game blaster style. No words if this game will get a chance to be deployed in the West and go toe-to-toe with the original Buck Blaster.
Speaker 1:Four-player shooters seemed to be the vogue at ATLA 25. Along with the Wallap platform, there was Flamestone, guangzhou Shi Chuan Yu Technology and their new Chinese-named video four-player shooter. In a similar cabinet, flamestone also had the Metal Gun Shooting Gallery platform that has turned many heads across the industry, offering a mix of the video with the physical prop shooting gallery approach. The standalone shooting gallery version of the Metal Gun game was also rolled out. A Metal Gun game video called Master Sniper offered more battlefield shooting and a new QR code smartphone highscore app. The realistic human targets may see these having limited western appeal. However, speaking of shooters and the company released a new mounted twin machine gun game, thunder Attack, offering urban warfare action and a unique card dispensing feature seen utilized before. Another newer mounted gun game and motion bench seating was Dragon King, in this case using the stacked two-screen approach. There were also the children's scale racer Motorcycle in a four-player network. Some innovation was also on the Flamestone booth with the single-button platformer Run Alien two-player. Regarding the less well-known Chinese suppliers on display, and exhibitor and manufacturer Bao Hui Amusement gave a big presentation over to Speed Rider 4DX, their motorcycle racer with the distinctive motion system and illuminated cabinet.
Speaker 1:This fourth iteration building on the success presented with a four-player network version on the show booth. This was one of many. Exhibitor Tongli Animation presenting lots of prize machines and unique coin pushers like their Steampunk and Fever Battle, also showing new wave crane machines. All this and a new video brawler in a big two-player cabinet called the Land of Warriors. Generic Chinese protagonists but interesting graphics. Not sure of the chances? No matter the trading conditions? This would see Western landfall. Not sure of the chances, no matter the trading conditions, this would see Western landfall.
Speaker 1:Aaaa 25 exhibitor ePark Amusement presented a large four-player motion seat mounted shooting gallery video with Super Robinson, a piratical-themed blaster, a trend in genre from all the most recent shooters. The unique three-screen motion cockpit racer, curvedrift what the company calls a dynamic racing simulator. They also showed the younger player-focused Racing Storm twin Vedemption racer, along with a selection of other video prize pieces. Corporation HY Technology showed a Chinese version of the popular Bop-It cabinet, based on a relationship through Sega Amusement International, who HY has partnered with to offer a selection of SAI for Chinese market. The HY booth also had a selection of prize machines, including the unique appearance of a digital skee-ball machine named Ski Master and the sequel to the highly active kids game with Jumper Star 2 and its unique jump pads. Other Chinese developers exhibiting included Jiaxin, who showed an environmental cabinet shooter and a new racing motion seat game, the ubiquity of this format, both in two-screen, deluxe and standard indicating we can expect to see a glut of these in the West. While exhibitor Haifun presented their Zombie Invaders, an interesting six-button floor pad rhyme game.
Speaker 1:The new developer and uniquely named Snail Time had a considerable showing at their first AAA event, presenting Soul Fighter, a mini candy multi-cade arcade cabinet containing a selection of popular fighter properties. New wave cranes offering highly illuminated and stylish lines included their Snail Master range, which even had their interpretation of gashapon units in this style, an unusual appearance for the SNK King of Fighters property was seen on the Kwanhun Entertainment booth with a selection of sleek new cabinet under the Cyber Fighting brand, one cabinet running King of Fighter 97, while another had King of Fighters 15 running. Also seen were several other cabinets running well no SNK IP, such as Metal Slug and Samurai Showdown. After some research from our friends at Arcade Heroes, it was stated that Kwan Hoon had signed an agreement with SNK China Division towards licensing the SNK properties for use in amusement. This marks a pivotal return to the amusement scene for the IP. Snk Playmore and IP had seen majority investment made in it by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation Miske Foundation, a non-profit foundation established by Saudi Crown Prince, a non-profit foundation established by Saudi Crown Prince, His Royal Highness, well-known as an avid fan of the SNK range of classic brawlers and other properties. Well-placed sources suggesting that there were plans to develop a LBE venue based on the IP.
Speaker 1:The ubiquity of the new wave crane machine was seen across many booths at AAAA 25. Exhibitors such as Naughty Duck, emblazoned with a wide selection of highly illuminated and eye-catching designs, as well as Dreamfun with their new Toypia range of eye-popping cranes and prize systems. These types of systems are driving the popularity in the States for crane stores. Retail units turned into crane arcades with high-quality merch and eye-popping styling, some including LED macaques. Examples deployed in the West at recently opened Claw Zone in Kentucky, the Gemu store in Michigan, with many more chain stores scheduled to be opened in coming months.
Speaker 1:Editors note we need to be mindful of the skill-based nature of these crane and prize machines. Recent US Amusement Association business has been focused on the growing number of complaints regarding the fairness of machines operated at less reputable crane stores. Following on from what we reported regarding issues with Hong Kong operated venues rippling players off with unwinnable machines, operated venues rippling players off with unwinnable machines and recent rumors regarding investigation during AEI 25 concerning if amusement machines were skill-based or operator-manipulated, the need for buyers of new systems need to be fully aware of the pitfalls awaiting Further AAA exhibitors included Yuto Animation, presenting the impressive Crazy Drift in two variants with a DX motion seat employing the two-screen racing cabinet approach championed by Raw. Thrills presented four-networked version of the racing format with 4K screens. Also had a standard racer version with a single-screen version. The company had some VR on their booth, including a new four-player simultaneous gun visor system in the shape of Combat Heroes OP. The four-player simultaneous action of the fast-paced shooter and the unique elements stood this game out from the horde of gun visor VR titles littering the market.
Speaker 1:The large footprint may put off Western operators. May put off Western operators. Arca Amusement had a strong showing focusing on their music games with the large dance battle, illuminated stage video at the front of the booth with networked Dance Cube Show, evo touchscreen music games getting solid play in competition mode, a Chinese interpretation of the Konami Bimani genre, the Chinese fandom supporting their local variant, with ARCA Event making noises of a possible international outing for the series. Lillian exhibited presenting the latest of the Chinese music games with their large DX Dance Superstation E5 platform offering their interpretation of the Bimani genre along with other music games such as Magic, sound, pushing Rhythm, all indicating the continued investment in music games in this market that may start to influence the Western market. Another AA exhibitor, rainbow Boy Technology, presented the Racing God large motion ride with the now usual two-screen, along with their Storm Rider platform, while exhibitor Raise Fun showed Boxing Star Stormrider platform. While exhibitor Raze Fun showed Boxing Star, a video game punching platform with the same form factor as the Taito Sonic Blast man 1990 release.
