The Bandai Namco team certainly felt the impact of its latest licence at the recent IAAPA show in Orlando. Star Wars Battle Pod stole the show, with people queuing to get on the stand or be photographed with the promotional characters.
Once on the stand, there were plenty of other highlights as well. “We had a very strong reaction to the new redemption game Sink the Ship, while Lost Land of Adventure in its impressive theatre style cabinet also had visitors to the stand in thrall,” said John Brennan, Bandai Namco Amusement Ltd Commercial Director.
Bandai Namco showed its other big licensed title Jurassic Park in two formats at IAAPA – in moving and static theatre versions. “This is literally going to be a monster hit in arcades across the world in 2015,” added John.
IAAPA was also the first show where Bandai Namco unveiled its new distribution relationship with leading manufacturer Adrenaline Amusements. Adrenaline previewed its Candy Crush games in both prize and ticket format, based on the famous global hit App. This game will complement the massive hit game “Flying Tickets’ (formerly Flapping Tickets).
Another Bandai Namco partner Jennison Games unveiled its latest offering, Ocean Pearl, which uses black screen technology to great effect in innovative, fast gameplay. Jennison also showed its latest whacker game Citrus Fruits at the IAAPA show for the first time. It actually dispenses the aroma of oranges, limes and lemons when hit!!
“The overall reception to our display was amazingly strong – even by IAAPA standards,” concludes John. “We felt the show was possibly a turning point for the industry at large because of the optimism and refreshingly high level of interest from all who attended. We welcomed visitors from all over the world and found numbers of UK and European customers higher than in previous years.”
