Difference between revisions of "SegaWorld London"

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| location=The Trocadero, London, United Kingdom
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| 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}}
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| closed=1999
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| closed=1999-09-07{{ref|https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1577337/Chorions-Segaworld-game-over.html}}
 
}}
 
}}
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'''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, occupying an area of 10200m² on seven floors{{intref|Press release: 1996-09-12: INTERNATIONAL MANAGER : Sega Tests the Theme-Park Route}} but has since closed 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 park, 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.
  
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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{{magref|cvg|175|57}} (although it was technically two escalators, not one)) to the sixth "level" (floor), before leading down each level to the exit.
+
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.
  
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===Level 6: Reception===
+
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.
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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 was the first ride, the [[Beast In Darkness]] motion simulator.
 
  
−
===Level 5 : Combat Zone===
+
Following Sega's removal from the facility, portions of the floors were redesigned extensively.
−
This floor had no rides, but over 50 action games, including [[Virtua Cop 2]] and [[Fighting Vipers]], as well as non-Sega titles like Time Crisis and Area 51.  
 
  
−
===Level 4: The Race Track===
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{{InfoTable|imagewidths=200|
−
This floor featured over 70 racing games, most notably two back to back 8 player deluxe setups of [[Daytona USA]] and [[Manx TT Superbike]]. One of Damon Hill's FW15C racing cars from the 1993 Formula One season was also featured on this as a photo opportunity. 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). The ride on this floor, [[Aqua Nova|Aqua Planet]], was a 3D motion simulator.
+
{{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''.
  
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===Level 3: Flight Deck===
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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.
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This floor contained 20 "flying" games, and the [[VR-1|VR-1 Space Mission]] ride. It also featured [[Dennou Senki Net Merc|Sega Net Merc]] and [[R-360]] machines, the former having been originally located on the Combat Zone floor at launch.
+
}}
 +
{{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.
  
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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{{magref|cvg|177|8}}.
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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}}
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}}
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{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Carnival
 +
| screenshot=Carnival.png
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| 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.
  
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===Level 2: The Carnival===
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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 was very large, containing over 80 arcade machines (mainly prize redemption + [[UFO Catcher]] machines), a McDonalds outlet, the "Segakids" indoor play area, and 3 rides;  [[Power Sled]], [[House of Grandish]] and [[Ghost Hunters|Ghost Hunt]].
+
}}
 +
{{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.
  
−
===Level 1: Sports Arena===
+
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.
−
The final floor, Sports Arena, had 90 sports games (including [[Virtua Striker]] and [[Sega Bass Fishing]]), the Sega Store, and the rides [[Mad Bazooka]] (removed after 1998) and a [[AS-1]] Motion Simulator.
+
}}
 +
}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
===Development===
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/History}}
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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. By the 1990's, the lower floors were home to numerous VR experiences, a Guinness World Records tourist attraction, and Alien War, a themed walkthrough attraction based on the Alien films, but it was still struggling to find tenants to fill the large space above them. 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.
 
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−
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]] (most significantly [[Sonic the Hedgehog]]), attempting to open new arcade centres in the region every couple of months.
 
−
 
 
−
Sega already had success in Japan following a similar concept. In particular, the 1994 launch of [[Joypolis Tokyo]] was 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. Initially, Sega had their eyes on the Trocadero for a smaller location, intended to open shorly after Sega World Bournemouth- however after re-evaluating the space available in the building, and encouragement from Burford Group to fill it, plans were changed to essentially make SegaWorld London a European 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 on 7 September 1996, amid mass hype and promotion created by Sega in magazines, including [[sonic:Sonic the Comic|Sonic the Comic]]. Right from the outset, there were already clear problems. The opening day press event was a PR disaster, with hour long queues for most rides, and customers being unimpressed with how simple and uncreative some were.
 
−
 
 
−
On top of the £12 entry price, every individual arcade machine had to be paid for, and any food and drink had to be purchased from the onsite McDonalds outlet or food stalls- none was allowed to be taken in. This made for an overall negative feeling in reviews of the place, with most being mixed at best. Additional controversy was made over Sonic The Comic printing apparently free entry tickets for the park, only for them to be turned away after admission attempts.
 
−
 
 
−
From 1996, Pepsi sponsored the Trocadero, as well as funding its Pepsi Max Drop Ride (1998) and IMAX cinema (1997), 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, although Pepsi vending machines and drinks could indeed  be found inside of SegaWorld. <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>
 
−
 
 
−
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 floors were sublet to Family Leisure (established{{intref|Press release: 2008-09-08: Industry icon Marty Bromley passes away}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20020410152332/http://vegauniverse.com/corporb.htm}} by [[Martin Bromley]]), operators of numerous arcades in London, including Funland, which was situated just below SegaWorld in the Trocadero building.
 
−
 
 
−
===Demise===
 
−
In the years that followed the site was stripped down considerably- Pepsi turned their sponsorship offline, closing the IMAX theatre and renaming the Pepsi Max Drop to "London's Scream Ride". The physical Pepsi Max Drop ride itself was then later sold and moved to Funland Hayling Island, an unrelated amusement park based on Hayling Island, in 2003.
 
−
 
 
−
Family Leisure co-joined their two preexisting Funland floors to the former 6 of SegaWorld, and ran the place as a large Family Entertainment Centre, instead of the theme park model intended by Sega. Most of the Sega-era features were taken out and replaced with new attractions intended to broaden the appeal of the centre, including a bowling alley, sports bar, and fairground rides, though decor from the old themes was still visible in some of the upper floors. A new facade was also constructed to the right of the Trocadero's central atrium, featuring new balconies and neon signs.
 
−
 
 
−
However, Funland's operators, Family Leisure, were not used to running an arcade of its size, having only dealt with much smaller locations in its past. Floors were often understaffed, leading to ongoing crime and antisocial behaviour issues with visitors, worsening the public's view of the place. This and the increased dominance of consoles over arcades made management come to the decision of blocking off access to the upper 5 floors of the Trocadero, stopping and cordoning off the rocket escalator that went to them with it (although it took until May 2011 for it to be physically removed).
 
−
 
 
−
At no point was the complex significantly revamped, meaning traces of the SegaWorld layout and closed rides still existed for much of the decade. Numerous wall murals and art still remained on the closed off floors, most significantly a large aircraft control panel on the back wall of what used to be the Flight Deck. The first Rocket Escalator still remained to take visitors up to Funland, where a walk way had been made to join the 2nd floor up to the midway podium between the two escalators.
 
  
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Despite finding success in dance/rhythm arcade games, like Dance Dance Revolution and Pump It Up during the 2000's, Funland began to decay, and ceased trading in July 2011 after unpaid bills and an acrimonious dispute with the Trocadero's new owners, Criterion. Its founder, Asif Aziz, planned to convert the building into a hotel, and could not come to an agreement that involved Funland's space staying occupied.
+
==Attractions==
 +
* ''[[Beast In Darkness]]''
 +
* ''[[Aqua Nova]]''
 +
* ''[[VR-1]]''
 +
* ''[[Ghost Hunters]]''
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* ''[[Power Sled]]''
 +
* ''[[AS-1]]''
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* ''[[Mad Bazooka]]''
  
−
Most of Funland's machines were sold off to other nearby arcades, like The Heart Of Gaming in Acton, or simply relocated to other arcades owned by Family Leisure, including Las Vegas Arcade in Soho. Any remaining unsold cabinets were both moved in front of Funland's intact and shuttered entrance on the first floor and to the Trocadero's basement for two makeshift arcades, rumoured to be on a 2 week contract period with free rental and giving 70% of their earnings from the machines to Criterion in return.
+
==Videos==
−
 
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*[https://segaretro.org/File:Trocadero_SEGAWORLD.mp4 3D concept model by 3D modeller John Robertson]
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The final traces of SegaWorld were removed from the venue in 2014. That February, Criterion ordered all tenants besides the entrance way shops and Cineworld out, closing off the central atrium for construction works, closing the two basement arcades and removing most of the final remnants of decor from the SegaWorld era in the process. A few leftover arcade machines remained in a corridor made for Cineworld to continue trading, as well as a visible entrance to where Funland was, until it too closed down in September, and was revamped into a new Picturehouse Cinema.
+
*[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>
−
SegaWorldLondonOutside.jpg| The outside of the Trocadero w/ Sega signs + Sonic statue, circa 1997.
+
SegaWorldLondon openingsign.png|Sign advertising its Summer 1996 opening date
−
SegaWorldLondonEntrance.jpg| The entrance to SegaWorld at the bottom of the Rocket Escalator.
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SegaWorldLondonOutside.jpg| Outside of the Trocadero with Sega signs + Sonic statue, circa 1997
−
SegaWorldLondonAtrium.jpg| Main atrium.
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SegaWorldLondonEntrance.jpg| The entrance to SegaWorld at the bottom of the Rocket Escalator
−
SegaWorldLondonBillboard.png| A large advertising billboard for the venue in the atrium.
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SegaWorldLondonAtrium.jpg| Main atrium
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Reception.png| Reception welcoming sign, incorporating a Sonic wall fixture.
+
SegaWorldLondonBillboard.png| A large advertising billboard for the venue in the atrium, circa September 1996
−
SonicStatue.png| Sonic statue in the reception.
+
Reception.png| Reception welcoming sign, incorporating a Sonic wall fixture
−
CombatZone1.png| Megalo cabinets in the Combat Zone.
+
SonicStatue.png| Reception Sonic statue
−
CombatZone2.png| A Sega NetMerc machine around the time of the venue's launch, later moved to the Flight Deck.
+
CombatZone.png| Combat Zone
−
RaceTrack.png| View of the Race Track, with the FW15C car + Sonic mural in shot.
+
CombatZone1.png|
−
RaceTrack2.png| Daytona USA cabinets.
+
CombatZone2.png| Sega NetMerc machine, later moved to the Flight Deck
−
RaceTrack3.png| Manx TT cabinets.
+
RaceTrack.png| Race Track
−
RaceTrack4.png| Other racing games, including Sega Rally.
+
RaceTrack2.png| ''Daytona USA''
−
FlightDeck1.png| View of the Flight Deck and its arcade machines.
+
RaceTrack3.png| ''Manx TT Superbike''
−
FlightDeckR360.png| The R360 machine.
+
RaceTrack4.png|
−
Carnival.png| The "SegaKids" play area, on the Carnival floor.
+
SWL_Aqua.jpg|''Aqua Planet''
−
Carnival2.png| Different view of the same area.
+
FlightDeck1.png| Flight Deck
−
SportsArena1.png| A large surfing Sonic statue, and visible signage for AS-1 on the Sports Arena.
+
SWL_VR1.jpg|''VR-1: Space Mission''
−
SportsArena2.png| Megalo cabinets of sports games, including Virtua Striker.
+
Carnival.png| "SegaKids" play area, on the Carnival floor
−
Trocadero2001.jpg| Funland's changes to the SegaWorld floors and atrium, circa 2001.
+
Carnival2.png| Different view of the same floor area
−
FunlandDodgems.jpg| A bumper car track installed by Funland, on what was the Carnival floor.
+
SportsArena1.png| Sports Arena
−
SegaWorld London blockage.jpg|Between 2002 and 2011, the Rocket Escalator was noticeably blocked by a Coca-Cola vending machine.
+
SportsArena2.png| Megalo cabinets
−
Trocadero2004.jpg| Trocadero in 2004, with a visibly boarded up upper floor.
+
SWL_AS1.jpg|''AS-1'' units
−
FunLand Entrance.jpg| The stripped-down FunLand entrance.
 
−
FunLand 2011.jpg|The remains of the arcade, 2011.
 
−
FunLand 2014.jpg|The Demolition of the basement.
 
 
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>
 
</gallery>
  
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
SegaWorldLondon Penny.jpg|Squashed penny
 
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>
  
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==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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.

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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)
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