Difference between revisions of "SegaWorld London"

From Sega Retro
 
(53 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{VenueBob
 
{{VenueBob
−
| logos=[[File:Segaworldlondonlogo.png]]
+
| logo=Segaworldlondonlogo.png
−
| venueimage=SegaWorldLondon.jpg
+
| tab1=Outside
−
| imgwidth=
+
| tab2=Inside
−
| name=
+
| venueimage=SegaWorldLondonExterior.png
−
| location=The Trocadero, London, United Kingdom
+
| venueimage2=SegaWorldLondon.jpg
 +
| location=The Trocadero, Piccadilly Circus London, United Kingdom
 
| mapref=51.510490,-0.133022
 
| mapref=51.510490,-0.133022
 
| opened=1996-09-07{{fileref|CVG UK Freeplay 07.pdf|page=1}}
 
| opened=1996-09-07{{fileref|CVG UK Freeplay 07.pdf|page=1}}
−
| closed=1999
+
| closed=1999-09-07{{ref|https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1577337/Chorions-Segaworld-game-over.html}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{sub-stub}}'''SegaWorld London''' was a [[Sega World]] indoor theme park which opened on September 7, 1996. It was housed within the London Trocadero complex within the city of London, UK. Upon launch, the Trocadero site became the flagship Sega World site in Europe, building on earlier success seen at [[Sega World Bournemouth]]. It was also the largest indoor arcade on the continent, but has since closed its doors permanently.
+
'''SegaWorld London''' was a [[Sega World]] indoor [[Amusement Theme Park]] opened by [[Sega]]. Housed within the [[wikipedia:London Trocadero|London Trocadero]], the site became the flagship Sega venue in Europe upon opening in September 1996, and was the first theme park to be opened outside of Japan by the company.
 +
 
 +
It was claimed to be the largest indoor theme park in the world, occupying an area of 10200m² on seven floors{{intref|Press release: 1996-09-12: INTERNATIONAL MANAGER : Sega Tests the Theme-Park Route}} and making it the largest venue to be developed and wholly ran by Sega, but has since closed permanently. Parts of the park were ran as an unrelated amusement arcade into the early 2010s.
  
 
==Layout==
 
==Layout==
−
SegaWorld London was a six-floor indoor arcade with seven medium-scale rides. While often billed as an indoor theme part, much of SegaWorld's attraction was its numerous arcade machines, including full-size 8-player iterations of games such as ''[[Daytona USA]]'', and import titles rarely seen in the UK. It was also used, similar to [[Sega World Bournemouth]], for location testing Sega arcade machines.
+
[[File:SegaWorldLondonMap.jpg|thumb|250px]]
 +
Taking up over 100,000 of the Trocadero's 600,000 square feet, SegaWorld London was a seven-floor indoor amusement theme park. Whilst billed as such, much of its floor space was taken up by its large amount of coin-operated arcade machines, including full-size deluxe iterations of games and imported versions scarcely seen elsewhere in the UK. Alongside numerous other Sega venues, it was specifically used for the location testing of both upcoming and never-released titles, as well as holding occasional officially-organised events.
  
−
SegaWorld London originally charged a flat rate at the entrance, which would cover all the rides. This was replaced with a free entry system, where visitors would have to pay for each individual ride. At no point where the arcade machines themselves free play - most operated on a token system.
+
After entering the Trocadero building through its shopping arcade area, visitors would be taken up the "rocket escalator", (16.43m in length (with 80m of handrail), 31.5 tons in weight and 193 steps{{magref|cvg|175|57}} (although it was technically two escalators, not one)), running through the main atrium containing other Trocadero tenants, to the sixth "level" (floor). This acted as the park's reception, with each subsequent floor based around differing themes and concepts. The arcade machines on these floors were generally kept in line with the designated theming, and various other attractions and amenities could be found between them, including a McDonald's restaurant and refreshment stalls.
  
−
From the entrance, SegaWorld London would lead visitors up the "rocket escalator" (16.43m in length (with 80m of handrail), 31.5 tons in weight and 193 steps{{fileref|CVG UK 175.pdf|page=57}} (although it was technically two esclators, not one)) to the sixth "level" (floor), before leading down each level to the exit.
+
The subsequent floors themselves were connected and accessible to visitors by working their way down a further series of escalators and travelators, frequently situated on the left and right sides at the top of the Trocadero's main atrium area, as well as several static staircases. Also originally located in the atrium was the official Sega Shop, which sold merchandise exclusive to the park and small quantities of other consumer products created by Sega. Alongside a second McDonalds outlet directly opposite it, the retail unit that housed the shop was positioned to the left of the bottom of the exit escalator, until the shop's later upstairs relocation to the Sports Arena.
  
−
===Level 6: Reception===
+
Following Sega's removal from the facility, portions of the floors were redesigned extensively.
−
Starting at the top, visitors could pay for ride tickets on this level and try a selection of free [[Sega Saturn]] consoles. Also housed on this level is the first ride, the ''[[Beast In Darkness]]'' motion simulator.
 
  
−
===Level 5 : Combat Zone===
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=200|
−
This floor had no rides, but over 50 fighting games.  
+
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Reception
 +
| screenshot=SWL Reception.jpg
 +
| desc=At the reception, visitors could obtain tokens and attraction tickets, have photos taken with statues of Sonic the Hedgehog (the de-facto mascot of the park), and try a selection of free to play [[Sega Saturn]] consoles. Also housed on the floor was an interactive information centre, projection video screens displaying promotional films, and the first attraction, ''[[Beast In Darkness]]'', with its exit leading out onto the following floor.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Combat Zone
 +
| screenshot=CombatZone.png
 +
| desc=The Combat Zone floor was more akin to a dimly-lit conventional amusement arcade, featuring black and yellow striped décor and no attractions. Its space was instead devoted to a selection of over 50 action games, with genres ranging from fighting to shooting. At launch, games included ''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' and ''[[Fighting Vipers]]'', as well as non-Sega titles such as ''Time Crisis'' and ''Area 51''.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Race Track
 +
| screenshot=RaceTrack.png
 +
| desc=Boasting extensive theming, with replicas of race cars in its walls and giant traffic lights, the Race Track featured over 70 racing games, most notably back to back 8 player deluxe setups of ''[[Daytona USA]]'' and ''[[Manx TT Superbike]]'' with live commentators. The floor's attraction, officially known as ''[[Aqua Nova]]'' at previous Sega amusement theme parks, was renamed and localised as ''Aqua Planet''.
  
−
===Level 4: The Race Track===
+
One of Damon Hill's FW15C racing cars from the 1993 Formula One season was also situated on the floor for photo opportunities. During that season, Hill drove with Alain Prost for Williams, who were famously sponsored by Sega at the time. Incidentally, Prost partly owned the La Tête Dans Les Nuages entertainment centre chain in France, whose Paris and Amiens locations contained [[Centre Sega]] amusement arcades.
−
This floor had over 70 racing games, and also included one of Damon Hill's FW15C racing cars from teh 1993 Formula One season. During that season, Damon Hill drove with Alain Prost for Williams, who were sponsored by Sega at the time (incidentally Prost was used to advertise the Sega arcade at ''[[La Tête Dans Les Nuages]]'' in France around this period).  
+
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Flight Deck
 +
| screenshot=FlightDeck1.png
 +
| desc=Themed around aviation and aircraft, the Flight Deck level housed 20 "flying" games, taking in titles such as ''[[Sky Target]]'' and ''[[Wing War]]'', as well as Namco's ''Prop Cycle''. At one point in time, both  ''[[Dennou Senki Net Merc]]'' and ''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' ''[[R360]]'' machines were located on the floor, the former of which was originally stationed in the Combat Zone at launch.
  
−
The ride on this floor, ''[[Aqua Planet]]'' was another motion simulator where you wear 3D glasses, and go in an underwater adventure.
+
Promoted as one the venue's premier attractions, much of the Flight Deck's space was taken up by ''[[VR-1|VR-1: Space Mission]]''. Hanging from the floor's ceiling was the first commercially available ex-RAF Harrier Jump Jet, transported to the venue in the months prior to its by being towed through London on a boat for a PR event and subsequently reported on by Computer & Video Games magazine.{{magref|cvg|177|8}}
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Carnival
 +
| screenshot=Carnival.png
 +
| desc=The Carnival, a brightly lit area with décor loosely based on the Sonic the Hedgehog games, contained over 80 arcade machines, typically [[UFO Catcher|UFO Catchers]] and prize redemption. A prize desk to reward ticket payouts accommodated these. Also located on the floor was "Segakids", featuring a McDonalds outlet and indoor play equipment for young children.
  
−
===Level 3: Flight Deck===
+
Initially, only one attraction was installed on the floor within the park's opening: ''[[Ghost Hunters]]'' (localised and adapted under the name of ''Ghost Hunt''). This number would later increase to three with the additions of the small ''House of Grandish'' 3D sound room attraction developed by [[Human]] in late 1996 and the ''[[Power Sled]]'' simulator after 1997.
−
This floor contained 20 "flying" games, a McDonalds restaurant and play area, and the rides ''[[Space Mission]]'' ([[VR-1]]) and [[Mad Bazooka]].
+
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Sports Arena
 +
| screenshot=SportsArena1.png
 +
| desc=The final floor, Sports Arena, housed over 90 sports games. These included Sega-made examples such as ''[[Virtua Striker]]'' and ''[[Sega Bass Fishing]]'', as well as the more unconventional ''[[SegaSonic the Hedgehog]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' cabinets at one stage. On opening day, ''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'''s official UK launch occurred on the level.
  
−
The Flight Deck floor housed the first commercially available ex-RAF Harrier Jump Jet, having been towed through London on a boat in the months prior to opening{{fileref|CVG UK 177.pdf|page=8}}.
+
The floor housed two attractions, ''[[Mad Bazooka]]'' and a pair of ''[[AS-1]]'' motion simulators. ''Mad Bazooka'' was closed and removed around 1998, and it is possible that the Sega Shop (which moved space to this floor from the exit escalator at around the same time) used the area it occupied and other parts instead.
−
 
+
}}
−
===Level 2: The Carnival===
+
}}
−
This floor was very large, containing numerous UFO catchers, over 80 video games and 3 rides;  ''[[Power Sled]]'', ''[[House of Grandish]]'' and ''[[Ghost Hunt]]''.
 
−
 
 
−
===Level 1: Sports Arena===
 
−
The final floor, Sports Arena contained 90 sports games, the ''[[AS-1]]'' Motion Simulator, and the Sega Store.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
===Development===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/History}}
−
The Piccadilly Trocadero was originally built in 1896 as a restaurant, before closing in 1965. It re-opened as an entertainment and shopping complex in 1984, but by the early 1990s was struggling to find tenants. In 1994 it was purchased by Burford Group plc, led by Nick Leslau and Nigel Wray, who endeavoured to revamp the site for modern consumers.
 
−
 
 
−
At the same time, [[Sega]], fresh from arcade and console video game successes, were making moves in opening Sega-branded arcade centres across Europe. In the case of the United Kingdom, this began with [[Metropolis (venue)|Metropolis]] in late 1992 and continued with the likes of [[Sega World Bournemouth]] and a handful of smaller venues using the "Sega World" name. Sega was itself one of the biggest brands in the UK at the time, riding on the successes of the [[Sega Master System]] and [[Sega Mega Drive]] (and particularly [[Sonic the Hedgehog]]), and was attempting to open a new arcade centre in the region every couple of months.
 
−
 
 
−
Sega had already had enormous success in Japan following a similar concept. In particular, the 1994 launch of [[Joypolis Tokyo]] has proving to be very lucrative - effectively an indoor theme park, Joypolis took things one step further by housing indoor rides and large scale attractions, and still remains active to this day. The plan was to emulate this idea in other parts of the world, so [[Sega Europe]] arranged with Burford Group to build SegaWorld London - a UK version of Joypolis.
 
−
 
 
−
Construction began in early 1996 on a planned £45 million project encompassing 100,000 square feet of the Trocadero site (covering seven floors), aiming to be the largest indoor theme park in the world. As well as housing seven dedicated indoor rides, many of its floors would be devoted to arcade machines, and would become a new testing site for Sega's own arcade releases in the years which followed.
 
−
 
 
−
===Opening===
 
−
SegaWorld London opened in September 1996, at  the height of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'s popularity. From 1997, Pepsi sponsored the Pepsi Max Drop Ride and the Pepsi IMAX cinema, being the first 3D IMAX cinema to appear within the UK; however, these deals were with the Trocadero itself and did not benefit Sega directly. <ref name="marketingweek">[https://www.marketingweek.com/1998/01/22/sega-makes-a-play-to-win-back-top-uk-slot/ Marketing Week: Sega makes a play to win back top UK slot]</ref>  The venue was heavily promoted by mid-90s editions of ''[[sonic:Sonic the Comic|Sonic the Comic]]''.
 
−
 
 
−
Sega had hoped to attract 1.7 million visitors to the facility during its first full year of operation in 1997, but achieved just 950,000. Entry fees were scrapped to attract additional footfall, but this did little to turn the situation around. Sega's ten-year deal with the Trocadero included a three-year early termination clause if £3 million profit was not achieved <ref name="marketingweek" />, and this was exercised in 1999 against a backdrop of major losses at the company. The new owners rebranded the arcade, which was subsequently known as "FunLand".
 
−
 
 
−
===Demise===
 
−
In the years that followed the site was considerably stripped down considerably - Pepsi's endorsed features, the Pepsi Max Drop and IMAX Cinema, were turned offline in March 2000 after the opening of the bigger London IMAX elsewhere in the city. The physical Pepsi Max Drop ride was then sold and moved to Funland Hayling Island, an unrelated amusement park based on Hayling Island near Portsmouth.
 
  
−
To minimise costs, FunLand began closing floors, starting with the lower levels, and in 2002 the top two levels were closed, taking the famous rocket escalator that went to them with it (although it took until May 2011 for it to be physically removed). FunLand opened a new entrance to accommodate for the change, but at no point was the complex significantly revamped, meaning traces of the SegaWorld layout and closed rides still existed for much of the decade. The first Rocket Escalator still remained to take visitors up to FunLand.
+
==Attractions==
 +
* ''[[Beast In Darkness]]''
 +
* ''[[Aqua Nova]]''
 +
* ''[[VR-1]]''
 +
* ''[[Ghost Hunters]]''
 +
* ''[[Power Sled]]''
 +
* ''[[AS-1]]''
 +
* ''[[Mad Bazooka]]''
  
−
FunLand ceased trading in July 2011, leaving only a few arcade machines in front of a locked door where the FunLand entrance once lived. Some machines were moved to nearby arcades; Las Vagas Arcade Soho and The Heart of Gaming, while others moved to the basement of the Trocadero. The other Rocket Escalator that headed up to FunLand was removed in the process, showing proof it would never re-open.
+
==Videos==
−
 
+
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Trocadero_SEGAWORLD.mp4 3D concept model by 3D modeller John Robertson]
−
With Sega out of the picture, the Trocadero began to decay once again, however Criterion Capital bought the site in 2005 with the view of opening a hotel, the rumoured plan being to completely close the complex in early 2014 to allow construction to begin. In reality only part of the area was closed (such as the Cineworld cinema, which was replaced with a PictureHouse Cinema) - the rest has effectively reverted to its pre-1996 shopping area state. That being said, the basement arcade was closed as well, removing the final traces of SegaWorld in the process.
+
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Segaworld_Trocadero_'96_Promo_Video.mp4 Sizzle reel trailer, 1996]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:SegaWorld_London_Tros_2Vandaag.mp4 ''2Vandaag'' report, 1996]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:MicroKids_SegaWorldLondon.mp4 ''Micro Kid's'' coverage, 1996]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Escape_SegaWorldLondon_Incomplete.mp4 ''Escape'' report, 1996]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Gamesmaster_S06E02_SWL.mp4 ''GamesMaster'' coverage, 1996]
 +
*[https://segaretro.org/File:Cucciolo_IT_Video_1998_(SegaWorldLondon).mp4 Scene from Italian film ''Cucciolo'' shot at SegaWorld London, 1998]
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 +
===1996-1999===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
FunLand Entrance.jpg|The stripped-down "FunLand" existed for some years after the closure of SegaWorld.
+
SegaWorldLondon openingsign.png|Sign advertising its Summer 1996 opening date
−
SegaWorld London blockage.jpg|Between 2002 and 2011, the Rocket Escalator was noticably blocked by a Coca-Cola vending machine
+
SegaWorldLondonOutside.jpg| Outside of the Trocadero with Sega signs + Sonic statue, circa 1997
−
FunLand 2011.jpg|The remains of the arcade, 2011
+
SegaWorldLondonEntrance.jpg| The entrance to SegaWorld at the bottom of the Rocket Escalator
−
FunLand 2014.jpg|The Demolition of the basement
+
SegaWorldLondonAtrium.jpg| Main atrium
 +
SegaWorldLondonBillboard.png| A large advertising billboard for the venue in the atrium, circa September 1996
 +
Reception.png| Reception welcoming sign, incorporating a Sonic wall fixture
 +
SonicStatue.png| Reception Sonic statue
 +
CombatZone.png| Combat Zone
 +
CombatZone1.png|
 +
CombatZone2.png| Sega NetMerc machine, later moved to the Flight Deck
 +
RaceTrack.png| Race Track
 +
RaceTrack2.png| ''Daytona USA''
 +
RaceTrack3.png| ''Manx TT Superbike''
 +
RaceTrack4.png|
 +
SWL_Aqua.jpg|''Aqua Planet''
 +
FlightDeck1.png| Flight Deck
 +
SWL_VR1.jpg|''VR-1: Space Mission''
 +
Carnival.png| "SegaKids" play area, on the Carnival floor
 +
Carnival2.png| Different view of the same floor area
 +
SportsArena1.png| Sports Arena
 +
SportsArena2.png| Megalo cabinets
 +
SWL_AS1.jpg|''AS-1'' units
 
SegaWorldLondon Token Heads.jpg|Token (heads)
 
SegaWorldLondon Token Heads.jpg|Token (heads)
 
SegaWorldLondon Token Tails.jpg|Token (tails)
 
SegaWorldLondon Token Tails.jpg|Token (tails)
 
SegaWorldLondon2 UK Coin Heads.jpg|Alternative token (heads)
 
SegaWorldLondon2 UK Coin Heads.jpg|Alternative token (heads)
 
SegaWorldLondon2 UK Coin Tails.jpg|Alternative token (tails)
 
SegaWorldLondon2 UK Coin Tails.jpg|Alternative token (tails)
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
===2000-2014===
 +
<gallery>
 +
Trocadero2001.jpg| Funland's changes to the SegaWorld floors and atrium, circa 2001
 +
FunlandDodgems.jpg|Former "Carnival" floor
 +
SegaWorld London blockage.jpg|Blocked second Rocket Escalator
 +
Trocadero2004.jpg| Trocadero/Funland circa 2004
 +
FunLand Entrance.jpg| Stripped-down Funland entrance circa 2008
 +
FunLand 2011.jpg|Remains of Funland after closing, 2011
 +
FunLand 2014.jpg|Demolition of the basement, February 2014
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Merchandise==
 +
<gallery>
 +
SegaWorldLondon Penny.jpg|Squashed penny
 +
SegaWorldLondonTicket_Front.jpg|Front of ticket issued for park entry
 +
SegaWorldLondonTicket_Back.jpg|Back of ticket issued for park entry
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 81: Line 140:
 
==Promotional material==
 
==Promotional material==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:SegaWorldLondon Leaflet 1998.pdf|Leaflet, circa 1998
+
File:SegaWorldLondon Leaflet 1997 English.pdf|Leaflet circa early 1997
 +
File:SegaWorldLondon Leaflet 1998.pdf|Leaflet circa 1998
 +
File:SegaWorldLondon CorporateEntertainment Front.jpg|Front of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages
 +
File:SegaWorldLondon CorporateEntertainment Inside.jpg|Inside of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages
 +
File:SegaWorldLondon CorporateEntertainment Back.jpg|Back of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages
 +
File:SegaWorldLondonOpeningProgramme.jpg|Opening day events programme
 +
File:SegaWorldLondonMap.jpg|1996 map
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
−
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElTvKyVPkBA Preview video, circa 1996]
 
 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19980401000000*/http://www.segaworld.com SegaWorld London homepage] (archived)
 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19980401000000*/http://www.segaworld.com SegaWorld London homepage] (archived)
  

Latest revision as of 23:22, 20 September 2023

Segaworldlondonlogo.png
  • Outside
  • Inside
SegaWorldLondonExterior.png
SegaWorldLondon.jpg
SegaWorld London
Location: The Trocadero, Piccadilly Circus London, United Kingdom
Google maps: 51.510490,-0.133022
Opened: 1996-09-07[1]
Closed: 1999-09-07[2]

SegaWorld London was a Sega World indoor Amusement Theme Park opened by Sega. Housed within the London Trocadero, the site became the flagship Sega venue in Europe upon opening in September 1996, and was the first theme park to be opened outside of Japan by the company.

It was claimed to be the largest indoor theme park in the world, occupying an area of 10200m² on seven floors[3] and making it the largest venue to be developed and wholly ran by Sega, but has since closed permanently. Parts of the park were ran as an unrelated amusement arcade into the early 2010s.

Layout

SegaWorldLondonMap.jpg

Taking up over 100,000 of the Trocadero's 600,000 square feet, SegaWorld London was a seven-floor indoor amusement theme park. Whilst billed as such, much of its floor space was taken up by its large amount of coin-operated arcade machines, including full-size deluxe iterations of games and imported versions scarcely seen elsewhere in the UK. Alongside numerous other Sega venues, it was specifically used for the location testing of both upcoming and never-released titles, as well as holding occasional officially-organised events.

After entering the Trocadero building through its shopping arcade area, visitors would be taken up the "rocket escalator", (16.43m in length (with 80m of handrail), 31.5 tons in weight and 193 steps[4] (although it was technically two escalators, not one)), running through the main atrium containing other Trocadero tenants, to the sixth "level" (floor). This acted as the park's reception, with each subsequent floor based around differing themes and concepts. The arcade machines on these floors were generally kept in line with the designated theming, and various other attractions and amenities could be found between them, including a McDonald's restaurant and refreshment stalls.

The subsequent floors themselves were connected and accessible to visitors by working their way down a further series of escalators and travelators, frequently situated on the left and right sides at the top of the Trocadero's main atrium area, as well as several static staircases. Also originally located in the atrium was the official Sega Shop, which sold merchandise exclusive to the park and small quantities of other consumer products created by Sega. Alongside a second McDonalds outlet directly opposite it, the retail unit that housed the shop was positioned to the left of the bottom of the exit escalator, until the shop's later upstairs relocation to the Sports Arena.

Following Sega's removal from the facility, portions of the floors were redesigned extensively.

SWL Reception.jpg

Reception
At the reception, visitors could obtain tokens and attraction tickets, have photos taken with statues of Sonic the Hedgehog (the de-facto mascot of the park), and try a selection of free to play Sega Saturn consoles. Also housed on the floor was an interactive information centre, projection video screens displaying promotional films, and the first attraction, Beast In Darkness, with its exit leading out onto the following floor.

CombatZone.png

Combat Zone
The Combat Zone floor was more akin to a dimly-lit conventional amusement arcade, featuring black and yellow striped décor and no attractions. Its space was instead devoted to a selection of over 50 action games, with genres ranging from fighting to shooting. At launch, games included Virtua Cop 2 and Fighting Vipers, as well as non-Sega titles such as Time Crisis and Area 51.

RaceTrack.png

Race Track
Boasting extensive theming, with replicas of race cars in its walls and giant traffic lights, the Race Track featured over 70 racing games, most notably back to back 8 player deluxe setups of Daytona USA and Manx TT Superbike with live commentators. The floor's attraction, officially known as Aqua Nova at previous Sega amusement theme parks, was renamed and localised as Aqua Planet.

One of Damon Hill's FW15C racing cars from the 1993 Formula One season was also situated on the floor for photo opportunities. During that season, Hill drove with Alain Prost for Williams, who were famously sponsored by Sega at the time. Incidentally, Prost partly owned the La Tête Dans Les Nuages entertainment centre chain in France, whose Paris and Amiens locations contained Centre Sega amusement arcades.

FlightDeck1.png

Flight Deck
Themed around aviation and aircraft, the Flight Deck level housed 20 "flying" games, taking in titles such as Sky Target and Wing War, as well as Namco's Prop Cycle. At one point in time, both Dennou Senki Net Merc and G-LOC: Air Battle R360 machines were located on the floor, the former of which was originally stationed in the Combat Zone at launch.

Promoted as one the venue's premier attractions, much of the Flight Deck's space was taken up by VR-1: Space Mission. Hanging from the floor's ceiling was the first commercially available ex-RAF Harrier Jump Jet, transported to the venue in the months prior to its by being towed through London on a boat for a PR event and subsequently reported on by Computer & Video Games magazine.[5]

Carnival.png

Carnival
The Carnival, a brightly lit area with décor loosely based on the Sonic the Hedgehog games, contained over 80 arcade machines, typically UFO Catchers and prize redemption. A prize desk to reward ticket payouts accommodated these. Also located on the floor was "Segakids", featuring a McDonalds outlet and indoor play equipment for young children.

Initially, only one attraction was installed on the floor within the park's opening: Ghost Hunters (localised and adapted under the name of Ghost Hunt). This number would later increase to three with the additions of the small House of Grandish 3D sound room attraction developed by Human in late 1996 and the Power Sled simulator after 1997.

SportsArena1.png

Sports Arena
The final floor, Sports Arena, housed over 90 sports games. These included Sega-made examples such as Virtua Striker and Sega Bass Fishing, as well as the more unconventional SegaSonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Fighters cabinets at one stage. On opening day, Virtua Fighter 3's official UK launch occurred on the level.

The floor housed two attractions, Mad Bazooka and a pair of AS-1 motion simulators. Mad Bazooka was closed and removed around 1998, and it is possible that the Sega Shop (which moved space to this floor from the exit escalator at around the same time) used the area it occupied and other parts instead.

History

Main article: SegaWorld London/History.

Attractions

Videos

Gallery

1996-1999

  • Sign advertising its Summer 1996 opening date

  • Outside of the Trocadero with Sega signs + Sonic statue, circa 1997

  • The entrance to SegaWorld at the bottom of the Rocket Escalator

  • Main atrium

  • A large advertising billboard for the venue in the atrium, circa September 1996

  • Reception welcoming sign, incorporating a Sonic wall fixture

  • Reception Sonic statue

  • Combat Zone

  • CombatZone1.png

  • Sega NetMerc machine, later moved to the Flight Deck

  • Race Track

  • Daytona USA

  • Manx TT Superbike

  • RaceTrack4.png

  • Aqua Planet

  • Flight Deck

  • VR-1: Space Mission

  • "SegaKids" play area, on the Carnival floor

  • Different view of the same floor area

  • Sports Arena

  • Megalo cabinets

  • AS-1 units

  • Token (heads)

  • Token (tails)

  • Alternative token (heads)

  • Alternative token (tails)

2000-2014

  • Funland's changes to the SegaWorld floors and atrium, circa 2001

  • Former "Carnival" floor

  • Blocked second Rocket Escalator

  • Trocadero/Funland circa 2004

  • Stripped-down Funland entrance circa 2008

  • Remains of Funland after closing, 2011

  • Demolition of the basement, February 2014

Merchandise

  • Squashed penny

  • Front of ticket issued for park entry

  • Back of ticket issued for park entry

Magazine articles

Main article: SegaWorld London/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • Leaflet circa early 1997

  • Leaflet circa 1998

  • Front of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages

  • Inside of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages

  • Back of booklet promoting corporate hospitality packages

  • Opening day events programme

  • 1996 map

External links

References

  1. ↑ File:CVG UK Freeplay 07.pdf, page 1
  2. ↑ https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1577337/Chorions-Segaworld-game-over.html
  3. ↑ Press release: 1996-09-12: INTERNATIONAL MANAGER : Sega Tests the Theme-Park Route
  4. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1996" (UK; 1996-05-09), page 57
  5. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "August 1996" (UK; 1996-07-11), page 8


Sega-related venues in the United Kingdom
Sega World
Bournemouth (1993-2000) | London (1996-1999) | Tamworth (199x-xxxx) | Wolverhampton (199x-xxxx) | Birmingham (199x-xxxx)
Sega Park
Glasgow (1993-200x) | Acton (1994-199x) | Colindale (1994-2008) | Southampton (1996-2013) | Wood Green (199x-xxxx) | Basildon (199x-2005) | Reading (199x-199x) | Bristol (199x-200x) | Harlow (1997-2003) | Tower Hill (xxxx-200x) | Harrow (200x-200x) | Holborn (200x-200x) | Brighton (2002-2006)
Sega Zone
Brixton (199x-xxxx) | Catford (199x-xxxx) | Woolwich (199x-xxxx)
Sega Megaworld
Croydon (199x-199x) | Harrow (199x-199x) | Romford (199x-199x)
Sega Prize Zone
West Midlands (2015-2020) | Southport (2016-2019) | Hatfield (2016-2020)
Others
Metropolis (1992-199x) | Planet Sega Queensway (199x-200x)
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=SegaWorld_London&oldid=924157"