Commentary

Arcade entertainment’s rotating obsession continues

The fascination with intense and dynamic motion simulation continues, with a host of players entering the market.

Image provided by iStock.

June 21, 2021 by Kevin Williams

It is some 30-years since Sega Corp. wowed the world of video gaming and released, in November 1990, its pivotal R360, appearing the following year in the West. At the time, the system was the first of what Sega envisaged as its "Hi-Entertainment Game series" and would later be described as mid-scale amusement.

The R360 was Sega's "Servo Drive Moving System," a super rolling simulator that offered a unique and active entertainment experience — the name was abbreviated from "Rotate 360." The company would go on to manufacture a number of these systems, and would capture the imagination of the 1990s audience. And as we celebrate this 30th anniversary, we are about to see a re-emergence of interest in this intense motion experience.

The R360's interconnecting rolling simulator system was not a unique idea in the amusement trade. The concept of gyroscopic rings used as a human powered attraction was seen in the "Aerotrim" device of the 1960s. The human gimbal systems have a joint life as fairground attraction and physical training device, versions of which would go on to train NASA astronauts.

The concept would see a new lease of life launched as the "Orbotron" by Straylight — feeding off industry interest following an appearance in the sci-fi movie, "Lawnmower Man."

The whole innovative gyro-motion concept would fuel the imagination of the Sega amusement team and lead to the creation of the iconic system.

Gyroscopic motion system emerges

After a slew of exotic deluxe cabinets, the AM2 R&D team went on to launch the gyroscopic amusement motion system in support of their new game, "G-LOC: Air Battle." Within this was launched the R360 motion system, but the team kept developing content for the platform. This came with "Wing War R360," a unique network air combat concept, and "Rad Mobile" based on the street racer.

Sega went on to create a game release for an updated version of the rotating platform, launching "Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram: Special" in 1999. Only launched as a single attraction for the Joypolis facility, this would become a move for the "special" amusement developments from the R&D teams, looking away from wider distribution.

The U.K. was one of the first countries to place R360 hardware, with London's iconic Trocadero "Lunar Park" being the first operator of the machine. Of the estimated 150 machines manufactured, at least 30 units would find homes in the West.

Sites like Sega World London (four units) and Bournemouth (two units), VirtuaLand Las Vegas (four units), and even Disneyland Paris (two units), along with many others would come to depend on its earning power. The machine was revolutionary and proved a strong draw, even if operation could prove temperamental at times.

Two-seat design emerges

But price and development/operational issues forced the abandonment of this project. With unsold hardware, Chinese manufacturers launched their own variants of this approach. More recently, the two-seat design appeared as a product on the FuninVR website, launching its "Space Time Shuttle Flight VR."

Other amusement developers also dabbled with the concept of dynamic motion and attempted their own adaptations.

Taito released its "Dynamic Direct Dimension Burst Out System" in 1991, called the D3BOS. The two-rider system was a passive experience, using the gyroscopic ring platform, but with a fully enclosed capsule for the riders.

Launched just slightly ahead of the R360, the platform was developed as a more basic entertainment experience with film-based content rather than interactive games. The company would go on to make an upgraded version of the system, "Super D3BOS," in 1993.

New players enter the market

Moving to the present, interest in a gyroscopic/dynamic motion experience has not diminished, and recently a renaissance in the approach has been charted.

One of these is EnterIdea, with its AT360 — what the company has described as "the new wave of hyperreality." The technology in the AT360 takes the original idea of the amusement piece and grows it, creating a three-axis VR-ride.

Like with the early gyroscopic systems, the AT360 is being used as a training device, allowing stunt pilots to acclimatize to the high G-loading from their planes' maneuvers.

Another system seen at IAAPA 2019 was the Motion Sphere by the company of the same name. The system employs interconnecting rings to achieve the spherical powered motion platform, which the company stated could deliver 6DoF sensations and G-forces up to 7G.

During the 2019 show, the company demonstrated an example of the Motion Sphere representing a "Supersport Car" experience. The system has already been employed as a promotional system in exhibitions, live events, as well as FECs and theme parks worldwide.

Continuing this approach to dynamic motion for a modern audience, several 360 chair systems are using single actuators from China. There are many opportunities that a dynamic motion experience adds to a VR game platform.

Numerous Chinese developers have shown their interpretation of a 360-degree experience, with the most recent plying this approach being Epark Electronic Technology, which revealed its "1080 Iron Warrior" two-rider VR experience. The developer has also created a one-rider variant of the same motion system, scaled down.

Another Asian example of the interconnecting ring approach that has been previously promoted comes from Korean IAAPA exhibitor Sangwha, with its "GyroVR." The system uses a 720-degree, three-axis freedom motion platform and offers VR visuals of a selection of passive ride experiences.

These kinds of platforms offer not only an extreme ride for the guests, but also a popular spectator viewing experience. Previously, the system has been used as an exhibition booth attraction during events, such as on the Samsung CES booth.

360-degree platforms diversify

Other 360-degree platforms are looking to break into the entertainment scene.

Developed by start-up Eight360, the Nova is a single player simulator, fully enclosed capsule. It uses the company's proprietary motion system that moves beyond the limitations of gyroscopic rings.

Able to achieve 360-degree motion, the system has been developed for both training applications and the ability to emulate the motion dynamics of land, sea, air and even space craft, through VR motion experiences and integrated content.

New start-ups developing dynamic motion systems are constantly appearing, and one of the latest is "Roto Loco" from New World Rides with a unique interpretation of the extreme VR experience. The platform provides a full 360-degree rotational envelope for two players using the latest VR game hardware and physical effects.

Developed currently as a fully mobile platform, it can be placed in parking lots at entertainment facilities that would normally not be able to accommodate a sophisticated motion attraction.

A new trend is clearly gaining momentum in the market. While it is unlikely that Sega will ever make another R360, the enduring fascination with intense and dynamic motion simulation continues. With such a plethora of different systems available or in development, we can expect to see the successor to the innovative amusement attraction attempt to fill the shoes of this illustrious platform.

(Editor's note: Extracts from this blog are from recent coverage in The Stinger Report, published by KWP and its director, Kevin Williams, the leading interactive out-of-home entertainment news service covering the immersive frontier and beyond.)

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About Kevin Williams

Along with advisory positions with other entrants into the market he is founder and publisher of the Stinger Report, “a-must-read” e-zine for those working or investing in the amusement, attractions and entertainment industry. He is a prolific writer and provides regular news columns for main trade publications. He also travels the globe as a keynote speaker, moderator and panelist at numerous industry conferences and events. Author of “The Out-of-Home Immersive Entertainment Frontier: Expanding Interactive Boundaries in Leisure Facilities,” the only book on this aspect of the market, with the second edition scheduled for a 2023 release.

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