AS-1

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AS-1
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega AM5
Release Date RRP Code World 1993-03 ? ?

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The AS-1 or Advanced System-1 is an interactive motion simulator Mid-size attraction developed by Sega AM5. Released in March 1993, it was frequently installed in the company’s flagship arcade venues such as Joypolis and SegaWorld.

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.

Gameplay

Using each seat’s joystick and dual buttons, players are occasionally prompted to shoot down incoming spacecraft and other obstacles.

History

Development

During the late 1980s, Sega was in the early stages of opening progressively bigger and more family-friendly amusement centers in Japan, establishing the Sega World chain of suburban venues. A central part of this was installing machines larger than the typical coin-operated arcade as a main attraction, however internal conflict was apparently created over the company's amusement operations division constantly renting equipment off of other manufacturers to do this - at that time, Sega were not making anything comparable to it, hence the substitution of outsourced machines like carousels and miniature train tracks.

As a result, Sega AM5 was formed in 1989, initially with the aim of producing moderately sized amusement machines specifically for Sega's amusement venues. Their first products were the Waku Waku line of children's rides, however work soon began on a significantly larger motion simulator project, inspired by the likes of Disney's Star Tours ride. Originally entitled the "8-passenger simulator" in its earliest prototype model, it was planned to be one of the central aspects of Sega's En-Joint concept, however the use of the term was shortlived. Little is known about the AS-1 in this incarnation, besides it using a drastically different design and making a rare public appearance at Amusement Machine Show 1991.

The AS-1 eventually reappeared in 1992, having undergone a redesign and now running the new 3D ride film Muggo!. During the time since the discontinuation of the En-Joint concept, Sega AM5 had engaged in high-level collaborative talks with American film maker Douglas Trumbull, who had recently shifted focus away from films and undertaken work in creating the Back To The Future: The Ride motion simulator attraction for Universal/MCA. Sega commissioned Trumbull to create Muggo!, and in the process acquired valuable information on multisensory technologies that would be utilised in later works.

Release

After the creation and successful showcasing of Muggo! at a number of amusement industry trade shows in 1992, Sega took to becoming more involved with creating new ride films for the simulator's wider release in early 1993. 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 as playing a small role in Megalopolis: Tokyo City Battle. Both appearances were noted and promoted heavily in coverage of the simulator.

During 1993, the AS-1 was installed at numerous then-flagship Sega amusement facilities across the world, including Sega World Hakkeijima Carnival House in Japan, Sega VirtuaLand in North America, and Sega World Bournemouth in the United Kingdom. By the following year, it had became defined as a mid-size attraction, appearing in Sega's Amusement Theme Park venues such as Osaka ATC Galbo and Yokohama Joypolis. Resultant critical reception to the AS-1 was positive, however by the time of 1996, when it was still installed in centres like SegaWorld London, some reviewers noted it already showing its age.

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 Sega Arena Padou and Club Sega Chatan, as well as Umeda Joypolis in a slightly reworked capacity under the new name of "AS-MAX". Some later installations appear to have ran versions of Scramble Training and Megalopolis that omitted Michael Jackson. Some AS-1s used non-interactive ride films found in other motion simulators.

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. Shortly after its unveiling, similar medium-sized simulators such as Taito's "IDYA" appeared.

The simulator's Megalopolis ride film 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. 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.

Locations

• Sega World Hakkeijima Carnival House
• O2 Park Sega World
• Sega World Bournemouth
• Sega VirtuaLand
• Osaka ATC Galbo
• Innoventions
• Yokohama Joypolis
• Sega World Rinkuu
• Ichikawa Galbo
• Yokkaichi Galbo
• Centre Sega Paris
• Niigata Joypolis
• Fukuoka Joypolis
• Tokyo Joypolis
• SegaWorld London
• Sega Arena Padou
• Sega World Sydney
• Club Sega Chatan
• Umeda Joypolis

Magazine articles

Main article: AS-1/Magazine articles.

Ride films

• Muggo! (1992)
• Michael Jackson in Scramble Training (1993)
• Megalopolis: Tokyo City Battle‏‎ (1993)

Videos

• Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E55Dkrhr 5w

  Disney Club AS-1 feature.

Artwork

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Gallery

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