Details on the Operation of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Arcade Machines

Details on the Operation of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Arcade Machines
Keits by on May 31st, 2011 at 6:03 pm

According to a story run today by highway.net.au, the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade machines are going to be doing some unique things that will allow them to be operated full-featured all over the world this December.

“For many years, Japan has operated on network and live content updates to machines in the arcade centres and its the first time that Namco is introducing content management to the world market. The key points for operators are;

*you must have internet connection for this game to work (the game cannot work offline)
*you must have the game board charged via prepaid cards, ie, you buy charge cards which add “points” to your game board. Each time a player using the machine, 5 points are deducted. If your game board has zero points, the game stops working
*weekly/monthly live updates are given to the game board introducing new characters, venues, combo moves and more. These updates occur automatically without the need for the game owner to manually update their machines.”

Continue reading details at highway…

[via from ATP]

  • Athrex

    I’m completly out of the loop on arcade cabinets. Charging essentially a fee to the arcade per use. Is this normal arcade business now?

  • The Phantomnaut

    Wait… Prepaid cards wha?

  • ExecutorImperious

    What’s with the points card thing? Seems kinda money grubbing to make arcade operators to keep buying something dumb like a CARD to keep a machine running.

    • The Phantomnaut

      Yeah it seems very odd. I read the rest of the article and with a card having 10,000 points with every play being 5 points. So that results in a total of 2,000 plays. Japan shouldn’t have a problem. US and other markets might not have to worry as well depending on rate of play and price of cards sold in the region.

      There is also the thing if the cards don’t get pressed anymore years ahead from now. Namco Bandai should have a code that disables the points system.

      • d3v

        As long as there is a way to input the codes even without the cards, then all Namco has to do is generate the codes.

  • the_judge

    I no understand. Sounds annoying though.

  • Sirrus

    I’m sure someone is going to hack the software of the board…

  • Pimp Willy

    So not only do they want you to drop a huge amount on the game, you have to pay PER play as well?

    Sounds like Activision of the arcade industry

  • Robo-mitsu

    ‘I don’t understand this, therefore I am scared as it is clearly bad.’ Cmon people, if you’re gonna preface your comment with an admission of ignorance, don’t use that as the foundation for putting forward an opinion.

  • kedawa

    Lame. It’s bullshit like this that makes it impossible for arcades to ever become a viable business again.

  • Kageromaru Sho

    It looks to me that US arcades are not going to want to invest in a TTT2 cab, because of its many requirements. It looks like players stateside are going to have to wait until the standard kits become available next year. Hopefully those don’t include that point system charges arcade owners per user play. Cabinets alone are investments in themselves. Pay-per-use on top of that can keep owners from getting TTT2 at all.

    • The Phantomnaut

      Tekken Tag 2 is an international release so every unit will require internet.

  • SaBrE

    you guys do understand that they will also more than likely sell the hardware at a much cheaper price so its more affordable to arcade operators to have in their arcade? the more money the game makes at a location, then namco starts getting paid back for r&d costs. you guys jump to conclusions way too fast.

    is it a good idea? who knows. could it be a bad idea? who knows. but look at it from all angles. arcade hardware is insanely expensive(10-50grand). Most operators cant afford that. Especially in a declining business(yes even in japan). Theyll be able to sell hardware at a much more affordable price, possibly, so more places can have access to the game. and if the game does well in the location, namco gets to recoup some of their development budget.

    but its way too early to tell if its a good/bad idea. they havent announced prices on the hardware, or even how much the prepaid cards cost.

    the only thing that sounds like it would suck, is if the cabinet runs out of points during a busy day and lots of people are playing and everyone is forced off the machine and have to wait for an operator to charge the cabinet again. that part is potentially bad

    • The Phantomnaut

      I guess arcades would get a couple of backup cards just in case.

    • d3v

      Actually, after reading the article, I wouldn’t be surprised if they just leased the machines for a small deposit. Packaged right, it would make it an attractive investment to arcade operators in the short term while giving Namco a mid-long term revenue stream.

  • SDC

    And here I thought Bobby Kotick was bad.

  • nakadish

    Card systems for arcade games are very common in Japan. On our side of the world, they are seen on Initial D machines.

    • SDC

      Those cards are for players, though. The discussion here is about cards the arcade operators themselves need to purchase in order to keep the Tekken Tag 2 machine running.

  • KarateLincoln

    All this means is that the price for each credit will be higher.

    • The Phantomnaut

      Since Japan is the primary market for Tekken Tag 2, other arcades will probably get discounts on units as well as player and point cards.

  • DaveTheRave

    one more reason not to play this. MAking something that no one has a desire to play, more difficult is a great idea lol

    • Diernes

      your an idiot. America is not the world, I would say Tekken is far more popular here in my country than streetfighter at this point.

      and this game looks awesome. However if the unit’s arent substantially cheaper this is a real kick in the face to arcade operators.

  • Kapwan13

    I understand what Namco is trying to do with this card system, but I don’t think this is the best way to go about it. Charging an arcade fees based on the popularity of the cabinet at an arcade seems reasonable but may hurt the game long term. Perhaps they will sell the boards at a lower price upfront to account for this continual payment structure.

  • King Rizz

    They should interview arcade operators like Fubarduck and get his opinion on this issue. He could clarify what this really means for arcade operators here in the states. I see no reason why they would deduct the price of the hardware….this just sounds too expensive, but then again, I don’t own or have investments in an arcade, so my opinion doesn’t carry much weight.

  • Windsagio

    I imagine its a dream come true, they’ve probably wanted to be able to make ongoing fees for years now. (well for namco)

  • GalzPanic

    It’s definitely a change from “here’s a board” but obviously the questions are 1) will there be an offset in price 2) are the automatic updates a good enough value and/or is service enhanced because of this system, and 3) if or how this system encourages operators to maintain and market the game more strongly.

    The connection requirement and pay as you go system seems negative on the surface but it’s too early to decide for sure.

  • avatar_ignis

    So is this a new business model for arcade owners to rent the machines? If so it could work out

  • Killer_Jigglypuff

    No one’s discussing that last bit. Part of Namco’s justification for this “pay to play” system could be that they’re going to continually update the game with characters/stages/balance tweaks as time progresses. Whether or not this will be enough to encourage arcade owners in places other than Japan to own and operate the cabinets remains to be seen however.

  • akuma31

    sounds pretty awesome to me. It offers arcade operators a way to get the game cheaper and allows both operator and the parent company to profit and minimize as much risk as possible. If the game flops at that particular arcade, they can send the machine back since it doesn’t work and the operator won’t buy any more cards.

    the best part to me, is the online update system (and requiring that the game is online to even run it) that way, players will play the game, find out imbalances, etc and they can patch it after a certain period of time. When the game finally comes out on console, it could end up being very solid, balanced game. Updates can continue to be released on both arcade and console at the same time. It sounds pretty exciting in my opinion.

  • the7k

    Isn’t this game already going to be expensive as hell for operators to put in? Now they are going to charge operators a fee per play, plus they are requiring internet access?

    “Namco Bandai. We kick ‘em while they’re down.”

  • Scaffa

    Sounds like Namco don’t want to have a situation like ST where they sold people boards in 1994 and they’re still making money off them today.

    However this could mean that the hardware itself is at an accessible price…. if so that business model could work out.

  • Outkast

    How much are they charging for the board? 6-10 grand still? Plus the credit system on top of that?

    I’m not sure about all this. Are they going to lower the price of the game outright?

  • starkilled

    I hope I got what I was reading correct, but what I am thinking is operators won’t have to keep buying brand new boards for an update of the same game, now they can just receive any major changes via internet. If so, that’s actually a plus.

  • 1cepick

    So it’s basically like a console but costs more to purchase and operate?

    ….

    • fatpolomanjr

      And a console in which you can only play one game, with DLC.

  • urkangijordi

    Hey Sega! Could you do this so Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown isn’t locked to Japan only?

    Let’s see if the initial investment is lower due to this leasing scheme.

    As for cracked boards, the one problem with grey boards with this type of business model is that the machines are automatically updated, so grey boards wouldn’t get the new content, or patches, or whatever Namco pushes. They would be a bad investment for any arcade owner who has a scene.

    But seriously Sega, no more excuses.

  • skipperxyz

    virtua fighter is trash. noone gives a shit about it, stfu.

    • D-Proto

      wow really?

      • shoju

        No only the ignorant say dumb things like that. They can never back their silly statements up with facts.

        This model is interesting particularly the part about updating the game with new characters, stages and balancing. I assume the initial hardware will be much cheaper to buy in order to compensate for running costs but in the long run will make Namco more money.

  • skipperxyz

    tekken >>>> vf

    tekken has the best model/theory ever created. nuff said.

  • Shadow2bolt

    Why is everyone complaining? Think from the point of view of a guy strolling into an arcade, it would be a lot better in that you can play against some other people who are pretty sick at the game as well as having the latest characters, balance updates, etc without the need of playing it on a crappy laggy online connection. So not only can you expect that the arcade environment, it will also have all the future updates that a console would have (only you don’t need to pay for DLC).

    As an extra bonus if I’m understanding this correctly, this is the first fighting game outside of Japan for people to have those player data card things.

    And also you can watch quality players playing (for free I’m guessing if it is like Tekken 6) from half way around the world.

    • Ajtucker22

      Be honest, you didn’t actually read the first post did you?

  • RushSogetsu

    So Japan and Korea get it in Autumn and the rest in Asia in December?

  • Sephiroth73003

    Well if it has a highly prorated upfront cost than it makes since as the arcade takes risk bringing it in and in the long run they make more profit. Win-Win, but if theirs no proration this just rapes an industry already on life support in most parts of the world.

  • korean411

    Japan and korean arcades has been doing this on a selected number of games so it is easier for these 2 countries and other 2 countries to do this. another reason is that asia as a solid internet based arcade system, so it will definitely have them. Other countries other hand won’t have these machines because we don’t have an internet based arcade system. for instance the initial d arcade stage 4-6 has internet in them so you can do events and battle nearby cities. For tekken tag 2 it basically saying that this will not for USA or other countries that does will not meet the requirements meaning we will not get tekken tag 2 and it also means that they will not have an international verison released because of these requirements. and as for paying to play goes the only arcade that i know you need a card to play is borderbreak

  • korean411

    when i say internet arcade based system, it means that like japan that has arcade accounts with the companies that let them hook up the internet to play the arcade games. and also they have internet based arcade games. USA does not have this and will never have this because in order to do this kind of thing i assume you have to get our government permission to establish this kind of process and knowing our government it will never happen

    • The Phantomnaut

      I apologize ahead because I don’t understand your logic AT ALL.

      Tekken Tag 2 is intended for an international release which the US is one of the countries aimed at.

      Tekken Tag 2 will not likely run on some special internet infrastructure. Hell I saw the Japanese rankings for Arcade Edition in a US arcade. You just need a connection and go, no special fancy agreement with companies. Businesses/stores can obtain internet through a commercial license from one of the major providers.

      • The Phantomnaut

        .. such as Comcast, AT&T, and Time Warner.

        • The Phantomnaut

          I bet Henry Cen will have one of the 8 used for Tekken Tag 2 at Next Level which has internet.

          • The Phantomnaut

            *8 cabinets (6 currently used for AE and 1 for KOFXIII)

  • i208khonsu

    If these cabinets are bought, and not leased how is this not extortion?

    I know that sounds a bit over dramatic but you bought that software and you’re free to use that software in anyway you see fit. Including modifying it and subverting the metered authentication. For instance I have my car leased, I pay for however many miles I drive, and I can’t modify the car. However If I bought it then all is fair game.

  • n0rty

    In fairness, this actually sounds a lot more viable for an arcade operator and not as extortionate as it may seem at a first glance.

    1. The cabinet can be bought at a cheaper cost to the operator

    By entering in to a prepaid charge system, the operator does not have to worry about ongoing rental costs during periods where there may be less customers able to attend the venue.

    Example, Operator buys the machine and a prepaid card. Made up figures here – Month one goes by and half of the points are used. The next week goes by and only a quarter of the points are used this time around.

    On a fixed lease, the operator would have to pay the same fee and HOPE that he got enough customers in to cover the overhead of renting the cabinet. However, the advantage of a pre-paid point system is that the operator can take in to account the cost of a 10,000 point card.

    Working this out at 5 points deducted per game, that gives you 2000 plays before another card is required.

    The operator is then able to set the cost of each play and base it on the cost of a game card. Let’s say a game card costs you $1000 – that makes each game .50c

    If the operator charges $1 a play (This was the equivilent cost of playing SF4 at the Trocadero in London when it was 1 GBP per play) – that’s 50c profit guaranteed per game.

    In a scenario where you have a fixed rental, the cabinet must be paid for on an ongoing basis and ultimately returned if the operator no longer wishes to rent that cabinet. With this scenario, if the game is unlikely to generate any future profit for the operator because popularity has died down? He just turns it off. No more cost to him.

    These are all made up numbers of course – we dont know what the figures will be, but hopefully illustrates my point :)

  • Enter the Tekken 747

    So I think the arcade version is still going to be in japan by September.
    hopefully it does so I can accumulate more data from Tekken tag 2 before it releases on console hopefully no later than summer 2012.

    I know this is a dumb question but is this article/ particular distributor for Australian Arcades or International?

  • Konqrr

    Dumbest idea ever.

  • Pertho

    Damn, how much are the kits going to be?

  • Professor Icepick

    The lack of outrage over this compared to the SSF4 AE PC DRM is amazing.

  • Windsagio

    I do like people thinking the cabinets are gonna be cheaper somehow >>

    This isn’t a way to offset the purchase costs, its a way to charge for updates… with the bonus that you HAVE to pay the charge.

    I’d say this probably means that few of the remaining US arcades will just get one, but then we know pretty well which ones would anwyays, so… >>

  • Missing Person

    I’m wondering if this new system allows for cheaper boards, basically making this a way for owners that wouldn’t purchase this game due to high entry-level cost to essentially make payments on the game.

    If so, this new system is great. If not, and the price is just as exorbitant as before, then this is a bad idea, and will only serve to drive arcades away from buying it that might have considered it.

    The only way this could effect the consumer is if their home arcade will not purchase this game because of it.

  • Running Wild

    Arcades are already a dead business in the west. Looks like Japan is next.

  • da notorious K.A.Z

    The fatal flaw in everyone’s argument is the assumption that the kits will be cheaper than average due to the fact that Namco is taking a cut.

    If we look at Taito and NESiCA as an example, I can tell you for a fact that the kit will *not* be cheaper than average.

    We’ll see, however…

  • JIVE TURKEY JONES

    So how will this effect tournaments? Even if Namco includes a “free mode” or “tournament mode”… what arcade operator is gonna be cool with using it? It’s going to eat away at their points. So tournaments have no choice but to become pay for play. (some people saying T6 in their arcade was 75cents per game, some places $1) Unless they just take a cut out the pot. Which I wouldn’t mind. Some smaller arcades do that since hosting tournaments does take away from crucial business. This new system would require a bigger cut of the pot than normal I guess.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Fragbait Edward Orndorff

    So, let me get this straight. Operators have to buy the game, then PAY for it to work? That makes no sense. “Here, have this arcade machine for several thousand dollars. Now give us more money or you can’t use it. HERP.”

    Is this par for the course for modern arcade machines, or is this new?

  • http://www.facebook.com/Fragbait Edward Orndorff

    So, let me get this straight. Operators have to buy the game, then PAY for it to work? That makes no sense. “Here, have this arcade machine for several thousand dollars. Now give us more money or you can’t use it. HERP.”

    Is this par for the course for modern arcade machines, or is this new?

  • http://www.facebook.com/Fragbait Edward Orndorff

    So, let me get this straight. Operators have to buy the game, then PAY for it to work? That makes no sense. “Here, have this arcade machine for several thousand dollars. Now give us more money or you can’t use it. HERP.”

    Is this par for the course for modern arcade machines, or is this new?

  • http://www.facebook.com/Fragbait Edward Orndorff

    So, let me get this straight. Operators have to buy the game, then PAY for it to work? That makes no sense. “Here, have this arcade machine for several thousand dollars. Now give us more money or you can’t use it. HERP.”

    Is this par for the course for modern arcade machines, or is this new?

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