AS-1

From Sega Retro

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As1logo.png
Sega AS1.jpg
AS-1
System(s): Mid-size attraction
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Developer:
Release Date RRP Code
Mid-size attraction
JP		 ¥? ?


The AS-1 or Advanced System-1 is an interactive motion simulator mid-size attraction developed by Sega AM5.[1] Developed during the early 1990s and released to the world in early 1993 after several appearances at trade shows and collaborative production of ride films with Douglas Trumbull and Michael Jackson, it became one of the signature features of Sega's large amusement facilities in the 1990s, including the Joypolis parks, Sega World venues, and Sega VirtuaLand.

Design

The AS-1 is a medium-sized motion simulator with an eight player capacity. Hydraulics tilt the ride in accordance to the on-screen movement, generated by LaserDisc technology.

Ride films

History

Development

During the late 1980s, Sega was in the early stages of opening progressively bigger amusement centers in Japan, establishing the family-oriented Sega World chain of suburban venues and eventually others aimed at young adults in urban settings, such as Cineset Sega.[3][4] A central part in their creation and subsequent success was installing machines larger than the typical coin-operated arcade as a main attraction, however internal conflict among developers and designers apparently occurred over the company's amusement operations division renting equipment off of other manufacturers to do this[3] - at that time, Sega were not making anything comparable, hence the substitution of outsourced carousels and miniature train tracks in venues like Fantasy Square.[3][5]

Sega AS1 Concept.jpg

As a result, Sega AM5 was formed in 1989 with the specific aim of supplying equipment for these locations.[3] Its first work released was the successful Waku Waku line of children's rides headed by newcomer Hiroshi Uemura, however Uemura and other AM5 personnel including Hironao Takeda and Shingo Yasumaru soon began development on a larger motion simulator project, inspired by the likes of Disney's Star Tours ride.[6]

Originally known as the "8-passenger simulator" in its earliest prototype model[7] and depicted in early promotional material for the En-Joint concept to resemble a space shuttle,[8] the rechristened AS-1, now designed similar to the early Doron SR-2 simulator,[9] made its first public appearance at AOU Show 1991.[10][11][12] At that time, the simulator was claimed to still be an incomplete prototype.[9]

The AS-1 eventually reappeared in 1992, now running the new ride film Muggo!.[6] During the time since the discontinuation of the En-Joint concept, Sega had engaged in high-level talks with influential American filmmaker Douglas Trumbull,[6] who had recently shifted focus away from films and undertaken work in creating the Back To The Future: The Ride motion simulator for Universal/MCA through Showscan.[13][14]

After a prototype AS-1 was sent to Showscan Corp. in the US for observation, Sega commissioned Trumbull to produce Muggo!. In doing so, he led a team of other film makers including Arish Fyzee to create a 3D/live action ride film.[15] Four would later stay in Japan to work alongside AM5 for a two-week period as a result of unforeseen difficulties in exporting a second prototype unit.[14] During the process of this, AM5 acquired valuable information on multisensory technologies that would be utilised in later works for the company's then-planned indoor theme park venues;[6] with Muggo!, the AS-1 was able to be completed from a technical standpoint and make further appearences.[6]

Release

An incomplete version of the new AS-1 model was first showcased publicly at AOU Show 1992.[16][17] After other successful trade show appearances running Muggo!, Sega took to becoming more involved with creating new ride films for the simulator's wider release in early 1993 through its AM3 development division.[18][19] As a result, two new experiences were to be created for it; one of which, Megalopolis: Tokyo City Battle, was the first project Tetsuya Mizuguchi was involved in.[20][21][18] Michael Jackson, at that time maintaining a friendly relationship with the company and available in Japan as a result of the Dangerous World Tour, was hired to star in the titular Michael Jackson in Scramble Training, as well to play a small role in the pre-show of Megalopolis.[6][22]

An AS-1 in operation at Sega World Rinkuu

During 1993, around 10 AS-1 units were installed in then-flagship Sega amusement facilities across the world,[23] such as Sega World Hakkeijima Carnival House in Japan,[24] Sega VirtuaLand in US,[25] and Sega World Bournemouth in the UK,[26] as well as a small number of unaffiliated venues.[27][28] Further showcases included Amusement Machine Show 1993[29][30] and Summer CES 1993.[31][32][33]

By the following year, it had been defined as a mid-size attraction alongside Virtua Formula, appearing in Sega's Amusement Theme Park venues such as Osaka ATC Galbo and Yokohama Joypolis.[34] Resultant critical reception to the AS-1 in its 1993 and 1994 appearances was positive,[13] however some noted it already showing its age in 1996 when installed at SegaWorld London.[35] and was removed shortly after SegaWorld's closure in 1999, being replaced with a sports bar and pool table area during its refurbishment as Funland.

At some point after the late 1990s, the AS-1 was phased out of being installed at Sega venues in large numbers, though not before making a few final appearances in a number of new chain concepts, such as Sega Arena Padou[36], Sega Arena Hamaotsu, and Club Sega Chatan,[37] as well as Umeda Joypolis in a slightly reworked capacity under the new name of "AS-MAX".[38]

For their western releases, Scramble Training and Megalopolis were given an English localisation, however it is not clear whether they were translated elsewhere. Some installations appear to have ran versions of Scramble Training and Megalopolis that did not feature Michael Jackson.[39][18] Other AS-1s, including the former Tokyo Joypolis installation, used non-interactive ride films also found in different motion simulators. [40] None are thought to be in operation in their original form today; a modified version of the former Sega World Sydney unit was repurposed at Luna Park, Melbourne until 2020.[41] Others have been found during recent years in Ukraine[42] and Indonesia,[43] though the operational status of these are unknown.

Legacy

Itself taking inspiration from pioneering rides like Star Tours and Back To The Future: The Ride, the AS-1 was not the very first motion simulator used for entertainment/amusement purposes. However, it was one of the earliest examples that was designed with ease of installation in mind, taking approximately two hours to set up in a moderately sized amusement centre.[6] Shortly after its unveiling, similar medium-sized simulators such as Taito's "IDYA" appeared. Though not all of its experiences offered interactivity, it is also notable for being one of the few fully-fledged motion simulators of its time with a gameplay element.

The simulator's Megalopolis ride film was notably Tetsuya Mizuguchi's first project for Sega.[21][18] It would see further use in the opening sequence for Sega Video Magazine, as well as in the 1994 art film The Gate to the Mind's Eye with a new backing soundtrack composed by Thomas Dolby. The 4 axis motion simulation technology used in the AS-1 would go on to be utilised in a number of larger projects created by Sega AM5, including, most notably, 1994's VR-1. It was later surpassed by a 6 axis system, debuting in Sega Rally Special Stage during 1996.[44]

Locations

Magazine articles

Main article: AS-1/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: AS-1/Promotional material.

Patents

  • JPA 100434354

  • JPA 100525744

Videos

Artwork

  • As1logo.png
  • Sega AS1 Concept.jpg

Gallery

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 144
  2. ↑ http://sega-mechatro.com/products-mt/1993/03/as1.html (Wayback Machine: 2009-07-14 18:47)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/c05a21f4c655a617cf9ce433e0651744 (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-07 02:05)
  4. ↑ Game Machine, "1990-09-01" (JP; 1990-09-01), page 12
  5. ↑ File:SegaEnJoint JP Flyer.pdf
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/964683a1754808ef332712561e51b4c0 (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-07 02:05)
  7. ↑ File:R360 JP Flyer.pdf, page 4
  8. ↑ File:SegaEnJoint JP Flyer.pdf, page 25
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Game Machine, "1991-03-15" (JP; 1991-03-15), page 14
  10. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 128
  11. ↑ Gamest, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-03-30), page 71
  12. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 124
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Press release: 1994-04-01:Sega's Wild Ride
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/sicejl1962/43/2/43_2_161/_pdf (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-27 23:40)
  15. ↑ https://www.gearandrose.com/credits.htm (Wayback Machine: 2019-06-24 11:53)
  16. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1992" (JP; 1992-04-08), page 40
  17. ↑ Game Machine, "1992-04-01" (JP; 1992-04-01), page 14
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1993" (JP; 1993-10-08), page 106
  19. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1994" (JP; 1994-09-08), page 96
  20. ↑ Next Generation, "November 1996" (US; 1996-10-22), page 83
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/english/170612/2 (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-05 08:15)
  22. ↑ https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/
  23. ↑ RePlay, "Volume XIX, No. 1: October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 140
  24. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1993" (JP; 1993-06-08), page 35
  25. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "November 1993" (US; 1993-10-21), page 14
  26. ↑ Sega Pro, "Januar 1994" (DE; 1993-12-16), page 15
  27. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-09-01" (JP; 1993-09-01), page 17
  28. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-09-15" (JP; 1993-09-15), page 11
  29. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1993" (JP; 1993-09-08), page 38
  30. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-10-15" (JP; 1993-10-15), page 16
  31. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-08-15" (JP; 1993-08-15), page 15
  32. ↑ VideoGames, "September 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 60
  33. ↑ Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 33
  34. ↑ File:Amusement Theme Park JP Booklet.pdf
  35. ↑ https://archive.org/details/t-3-magazine-issue-1/page/n7
  36. ↑ Sega Magazine, "1997-04 (1997-04)" (JP; 1997-03-13), page 25
  37. ↑ Press release: 1998-07-07: CLUB SEGA Chatan Open no Oshirase
  38. ↑ Press release: 1998-09-24: Osaka ni Umeda Joypolis Toujou
  39. ↑ http://legend-of-mwfc.la.coocan.jp/repo_as-1.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-06 13:49)
  40. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/tokyo/ (Wayback Machine: 2000-08-16 08:27)
  41. ↑ https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parkz.com.au%2Fattraction%2Fholodeck (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-17 02:47)
  42. ↑ @ted80808 on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-15 03:35)
  43. ↑ @oritech on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-17 02:38)
  44. ↑ Sega Magazine, "1997-02 (1997-02)" (JP; 1997-01-13), page 29


Mid-size attractions
Arcade
 Rifle Gallery (1974) | R360 (1990) | AS-1 (1993) | Virtua Formula (1993) | Virtual Batting (1994) | Power Sled (1996) | Murder Lodge (1996) | Q-tag (1996) | Bike Athlon (1997) | Boat Race GP (1998) | Wild River (1998) | The Lost World: Jurassic Park Special (1998) | Dennou Senki Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram Special (1998) | Sky Cruising (1999) | MaxFlight VR2002 (199x) | Wild Jungle (2000) | UFO Catcher Ride (2001) | Cycraft (2003) | Wild Wing (2004) | The Quiz Show (2005) | The House of the Dead 4 Special (2006) | OutRun 2 SP SDX (2006) | Wild River Splash! (2006) | Wild Jungle Brothers (2006) | Burnout Running (200x) | Let's Go Jungle! Special (200x) | Hummer (2008) | Storm-G (2009) | Sonic Athletics (2013) | Sonic Brain Ranking (2013) | Transformers Human Alliance Special (2014) | Wild River The Treasure Hunt (2015) | Spicy Taxi (201x) | The House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn The Attraction (20xx)
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