AS-1

From Sega Retro

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Sega AS1.jpg
AS-1
System(s): Mid-size attraction
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade
World		 ? ?





































The AS-1 or Advanced System-1 is an interactive motion simulator mid-size attraction developed by Sega AM5.[2] 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.

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, such as Cineset Sega.[3][4] A central part in their creation 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 constantly renting equipment off of other manufacturers to do this[3] - at that time, Sega were not making anything comparable to it, hence the substitution of outsourced machines like carousels and miniature train tracks in venues like Fantasy Square.[3][5]

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.[3] 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.[6] Originally entitled the "8-passenger simulator" in its earliest prototype model,[7] it was planned to be one of the central aspects of Sega's En-Joint concept,[5] 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 reportedly making a rare public appearance at Amusement Machine Show 1991.[8]

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,[6] 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.[9] Sega commissioned Trumbull and a team of film makers led by him to create Muggo!,[10] and in the process acquired valuable information on multisensory technologies that would be utilised in later works.[6]

Release

An incomplete version of the new AS-1 model was first showcased publicly at AOU Show 1992.[11][12] 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.[13]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.[14][15][13] 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][16]

During 1993, around 10 AS-1 units were installed in then-flagship Sega amusement facilities across the world,[17] including Sega World Hakkeijima Carnival House in Japan,[18] Sega VirtuaLand in North America,[19] and Sega World Bournemouth in the United Kingdom,[20] as well as a small number of larger venues not owned by the company.[21][22] Further trade show appearances included Amusement Machine Show 1993[23][24] and Summer CES 1993.[25][26][27] By the following year, it had been defined as a mid-size attraction, appearing in Sega's Amusement Theme Park venues such as Osaka ATC Galbo and Yokohama Joypolis.[28] Resultant critical reception to the AS-1 was positive,[9] however some noted it already showing its age in 1996 when installed at SegaWorld London.[29]

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[30] and Club Sega Chatan,[31] as well as Umeda Joypolis in a slightly reworked capacity under the new name of "AS-MAX".[32] Some installations appear to have ran versions of Scramble Training and Megalopolis that did not feature Michael Jackson.[33][13] Other AS-1s used non-interactive ride films found in different motion simulators. None are thought to be in operation in their original form today; a modified version of the former Sega World Sydney unit remains at Luna Park, Melbourne.

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.[15][13] 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.[34]

Locations

Magazine articles

Main article: AS-1/Magazine articles.

Ride films

Videos

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

    Disney Club AS-1 feature.

Artwork

  • As1logo.png

Gallery

  • AS1.jpg
  • Sega World Rinkuu AS1.jpg
  • Sega AS1 Int.jpg
  • Sega AS1 Scramble Training.jpg

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Machine (JP) #455: "1993-08-15" (1993-08-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Machine (JP) #456: "1993-09-01" (1993-09-01)
Logo-pdf.svg
1994 Yokohama Joypolis promotional video (no sound)

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://sega-mechatro.com/products-mt/1993/03/as1.html (Wayback Machine: 2009-07-14 18:47)
  2. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 144
  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. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:SegaEnJoint JP Flyer.pdf
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 https://blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon6868/e/964683a1754808ef332712561e51b4c0 (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-07 02:05)
  7. ↑ File:R360 JP Flyer.pdf
  8. ↑ @EonFafnir on Twitter
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Press release: 1994-04-01:Sega's Wild Ride
  10. ↑ https://www.gearandrose.com/credits.htm (Wayback Machine: 2019-06-24 11:53)
  11. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1992" (JP; 1992-04-08), page 40
  12. ↑ Game Machine, "1992-04-01" (JP; 1992-04-01), page 14
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1993" (JP; 1993-10-08), page 106
  14. ↑ Next Generation, "November 1996" (US; 1996-10-22), page 83
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/english/170612/2 (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-05 08:15)
  16. ↑ https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/
  17. ↑ RePlay, "Volume XIX, No. 1: October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 140
  18. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1993" (JP; 1993-06-08), page 35
  19. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "November 1993" (US; 1993-10-21), page 14
  20. ↑ Sega Pro, "Januar 1994" (DE; 1993-12-16), page 15
  21. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-09-01" (JP; 1993-09-01), page 17
  22. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-09-15" (JP; 1993-09-15), page 11
  23. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1993" (JP; 1993-09-08), page 38
  24. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-10-15" (JP; 1993-10-15), page 16
  25. ↑ Game Machine, "1993-08-15" (JP; 1993-08-15), page 15
  26. ↑ VideoGames, "September 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 60
  27. ↑ Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 33
  28. ↑ File:Amusement Theme Park JP Booklet.pdf
  29. ↑ https://archive.org/details/t-3-magazine-issue-1/page/n7
  30. ↑ Sega Magazine, "1997-04 (1997-04)" (JP; 1997-03-13), page 25
  31. ↑ Press release: 1998-07-07: CLUB SEGA Chatan Open no Oshirase
  32. ↑ Press release: 1998-09-24: Osaka ni Umeda Joypolis Toujou
  33. ↑ http://legend-of-mwfc.la.coocan.jp/repo_as-1.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-06 13:49)
  34. ↑ 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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