Difference between revisions of "Roppongi GiGO"

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{{VenueBob
 
{{VenueBob
 
| logos=Gigo logo.png
 
| logos=Gigo logo.png
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| tab1=Inside
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| venueimage=Roppongi GiGO 1992.jpg
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| tab2=Outside
 
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| venueimage=Roppongi_GiGO_Exterior.jpeg
 
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| venueimage2=Roppongi_GiGO_Interior.jpg
 
 
| name=Roppongi GiGO
 
| name=Roppongi GiGO
 
| location=東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
 
| location=東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
 
| opened=1992-09-18{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
 
| opened=1992-09-18{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
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| closed=1995
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| closed=1998
 
}}
 
}}
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (六本木GiGO) is a former Japanese game centre jointly developed by [[Sega]] and Ibis, which owned the hotel it was situated in{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}.
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (六本木GiGO) is a former [[GiGO]] venue jointly developed by [[Sega]] and [[wikipedia:Ibis (hotel)|Ibis]], which owned the hotel it was situated in.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}} Located in Roppongi, a district of Tokyo noted for its nightlife, the venue was at one stage the largest urban amusement facility in Japan,{{magref|gamemachinejp|437|11}} initially creating positive results. Sega are thought to have dropped involvement with the center in the late 1990s.
  
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The venue is thought to have been the first [[GiGO]] and one of Sega's largest up to that point in time, taking up four floors of the building{{magref|bemega|1992-11|39}}. The September 1992 opening represented one of the company's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres. Its high profile status at the time gave it coverage in numerous gaming magazines, as well as promotion in [[Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93]].
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==History==
 +
Inaugurated with a press event on September 10{{magref|gamemachinejp|437|2}} and opened with the aim of becoming a fixture of Roppongi's adult nightlife, Roppongi GiGO was the first [[GiGO]] center{{magref|segamagjp|7|36}} and the largest urban amusement facility in Japan up to that point in time.{{magref|gamemachinejp|437|11}} Its public opening the following week represented one of Sega's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres in prime inner-city locations; the facility's large size, elaborate décor, and themed zones{{intref|Press release: 1994-02-07:Shisetsu-nai inshoku tenpo shirīzu `aisu biru'(Tōkyō Roppongi) hoteru goraku inshoku zōn}} significantly outclassed the [[Hi-Tech Land Sega]] and newer [[Sega World]] locations opened previously in the country.
  
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Each of its four floors were devoted to different machines and themes - the first floor generally featured video games, including deluxe [[Virtua Racing]] and [[R360]] units, the second housed prize redemption machines, the third featured medal games, and the fourth contained a casino area and karaoke rooms. Customers had to be at least 18 years of age to enter, and 20 to access the fourth floor's casino area.
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For a time, GiGO maintained a high-profile status and popularity among the clientele of Roppongi,{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210226035808/https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/trn/pickup/15/1008498/102200986/}} generating front-page coverage from [[wikipedia:The Asahi Shimbun|The Asahi Shimbun]] newspaper and strengthening the view of video amusements as a healthy, social form of entertainment;{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210507020538/https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/c05a21f4c655a617cf9ce433e0651744}} women regularly accounted for about half of the facility's customer base.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210507020538/https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/c05a21f4c655a617cf9ce433e0651744}} Celebrities made appearances at the venue, both locally, as a result of its close proximity to [[wikipedia:TV Asahi|TV Asahi]]'s studios, and from around the world - [[Michael Jackson]] visited the site in December 1992,{{ref|https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/}} alongside other notable figures including [[wikipedia:Megumi Hayashibara|Megumi Hayashibara]]{{magref|bemega|1994-05|63}} and [[wikipedia:Christian Fittipaldi|Christian Fittipaldi]].{{fileref|Roppongi_GiGO_Christian_Fittipaldi.mp4}}
  
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Sega's involvement with the location was short-lived, with it subsequently becoming known as Vortex in 1995 and later closing permanently at the end of 2013.
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In the months following its opening, it became the debut location of the four-player ''[[Virtua Formula]]'' model,{{magref|gamemachinejp|448|14}} as well as a site for numerous events.{{fileref|Roppongi_GiGO_FV_1995.mp4}} Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s. It continued to operate as a game center in a downsized capacity under the name of Roppongi Vortex,{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010426214157/http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~k-nishi/tgm/roppongi.html}} later closing permanently at the end of 2013.{{ref|http://throwbackjapan.blogspot.com/2014/03/arcade-vortex-roppongi-tokyo.html}}
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==Layout==
 +
[[File:Roppongi_GiGO_Interior.jpg|thumb|250px]]
 +
Establishing an organised concept also seen in subsequent GiGO locations, each of Roppongi GiGO's four floors were devoted to specific machines and attractions - the first floor featured video games, including deluxe ''[[Virtua Racing]]'' and [[R360]] units, the second housed prize redemption, sports games, and a bar,{{intref|Press release: 1994-02-07:Shisetsu-nai inshoku tenpo shirīzu `aisu biru'(Tōkyō Roppongi) hoteru goraku inshoku zōn}} the third featured medal games, and the fourth contained a casino area and karaoke rooms. Customers had to be at least 18 years of age to enter, and 20 to access the fourth floor's casino area.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
 +
 
 +
The floors were featured in segments of the ''[[Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93]]'' promotional video, with ''[[Dream Palace]]'' and ''[[Royal Ascot]]'' machines demoed.
  
 
==Branding==
 
==Branding==
 
{{VenueBrandingTable|
 
{{VenueBrandingTable|
 
{{VenueBrandingRow|name=Roppongi GiGO|name_jp=六本木GiGO|branding=[[GiGO]]|date=1992-09-18{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}}}
 
{{VenueBrandingRow|name=Roppongi GiGO|name_jp=六本木GiGO|branding=[[GiGO]]|date=1992-09-18{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}}}
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{{VenueBrandingRow|name=closed|date=1995}}
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{{VenueBrandingRow|name=closed|date=1998}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
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==Magazine articles==
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==Videos==
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
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*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_Bad_Influence_S1E8.mp4 Footage from ''Bad Influence!'' report on Japan, c. late 1992]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_Christian_Fittipaldi.mp4 Footage of Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi's visit, 1992]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_FV_1995.mp4 ''Fighting Vipers'' tournament in 1995 filmed for ''Tonight 2'']
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Roppongi_GiGO_Bad_Influence_S1E8.mp4|Footage from [[Bad Influence!]] report on Japan
 
 
Roppongi_Vortex_Exterior.jpg|Later "Vortex" façade in 2007
 
Roppongi_Vortex_Exterior.jpg|Later "Vortex" façade in 2007
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 14:52, 3 February 2022

Roppongi GiGO 1992.jpg
Roppongi GiGO
Location: 東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
Opened: 1992-09-18[1]
Closed: 1998

Roppongi GiGO (六本木GiGO) is a former GiGO venue jointly developed by Sega and Ibis, which owned the hotel it was situated in.[1] Located in Roppongi, a district of Tokyo noted for its nightlife, the venue was at one stage the largest urban amusement facility in Japan,[2] initially creating positive results. Sega are thought to have dropped involvement with the center in the late 1990s.

History

Inaugurated with a press event on September 10[3] and opened with the aim of becoming a fixture of Roppongi's adult nightlife, Roppongi GiGO was the first GiGO center[4] and the largest urban amusement facility in Japan up to that point in time.[2] Its public opening the following week represented one of Sega's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres in prime inner-city locations; the facility's large size, elaborate décor, and themed zones[5] significantly outclassed the Hi-Tech Land Sega and newer Sega World locations opened previously in the country.

For a time, GiGO maintained a high-profile status and popularity among the clientele of Roppongi,[6] generating front-page coverage from The Asahi Shimbun newspaper and strengthening the view of video amusements as a healthy, social form of entertainment;[7] women regularly accounted for about half of the facility's customer base.[7] Celebrities made appearances at the venue, both locally, as a result of its close proximity to TV Asahi's studios, and from around the world - Michael Jackson visited the site in December 1992,[8] alongside other notable figures including Megumi Hayashibara[9] and Christian Fittipaldi.[10]

In the months following its opening, it became the debut location of the four-player Virtua Formula model,[11] as well as a site for numerous events.[12] Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s. It continued to operate as a game center in a downsized capacity under the name of Roppongi Vortex,[13] later closing permanently at the end of 2013.[14]

Layout

Roppongi GiGO Interior.jpg

Establishing an organised concept also seen in subsequent GiGO locations, each of Roppongi GiGO's four floors were devoted to specific machines and attractions - the first floor featured video games, including deluxe Virtua Racing and R360 units, the second housed prize redemption, sports games, and a bar,[5] the third featured medal games, and the fourth contained a casino area and karaoke rooms. Customers had to be at least 18 years of age to enter, and 20 to access the fourth floor's casino area.[1]

The floors were featured in segments of the Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93 promotional video, with Dream Palace and Royal Ascot machines demoed.

Branding

Name Branding Date
Roppongi GiGO (六本木GiGO) GiGO 1992-09-18[1]
Closed 1998

Videos

Gallery

  • Later "Vortex" façade in 2007

Magazine articles

Main article: Roppongi GiGO/Magazine articles.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Famitsu, "1992-10-09" (JP; 1992-09-25), page 10
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Game Machine, "1992-11-01" (JP; 1992-11-01), page 11
  3. ↑ Game Machine, "1992-11-01" (JP; 1992-11-01), page 2
  4. ↑ Sega Magazine, "1997-05 (1997-05, 06)" (JP; 1997-04-11), page 36
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Press release: 1994-02-07:Shisetsu-nai inshoku tenpo shirīzu `aisu biru'(Tōkyō Roppongi) hoteru goraku inshoku zōn
  6. ↑ https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/trn/pickup/15/1008498/102200986/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-02-26 03:58)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/c05a21f4c655a617cf9ce433e0651744 (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-07 02:05)
  8. ↑ https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/
  9. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 63
  10. ↑ File:Roppongi_GiGO_Christian_Fittipaldi.mp4
  11. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-05-01" (JP; 1993-05-01), page 14
  12. ↑ File:Roppongi_GiGO_FV_1995.mp4
  13. ↑ http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~k-nishi/tgm/roppongi.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-04-26 21:41)
  14. ↑ http://throwbackjapan.blogspot.com/2014/03/arcade-vortex-roppongi-tokyo.html
GiGO venues in Japan
Akihabara | Gifu | Hiroshima | Ikebukuro | Roppongi | Shibuya | Shinsaibashi | Tenjin
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