SEGA Entertainment and virtual reality (VR) solutions provider StarVR today announced its collaboration to bring StarVR arcade experiences to existing SEGA Game Center locations throughout Japan. StarVR will work with SEGA Entertainment to roll out its VR arcade experiences across the country, at three SEGA arcade locations by March 2018 and at more than ten locations by the end of the year.
The two companies today unveiled the first StarVR-powered VR arcade installation in the flagship SEGA Game Center Shinjuku Kabukicho branch located in Tokyo, and will welcome consumers starting on 22nd December 2017. Tickets for the experiences will be priced at 1,200 Japanese yen. At launch, Japanese consumers will be able to experience John Wick Chronicles and The Mummy Prodigium Strike developed by Starbreeze Studios, while more titles will be introduced gradually.
“Continuing our commitment to providing the best arcade experiences in Japan, we’re now bringing world-class VR to SEGA Game Centers with StarVR,” said Tadashi Kawaguchi, Senior Vice President of SEGA Entertainment. “With StarVR’s industry-leading visuals, immersive haptics and premium content, we’re stepping up the game and redefining the arcade experience.”
“We’re especially excited to bring StarVR arcade experiences to Japan, as it has the world’s most sophisticated arcade industry and culture,” said Jerry Kao, Vice Chairman of StarVR Corporation. “Collaborating with SEGA Entertainment, the leader in the local market, we’re confident that we can make truly immersive and premium VR experiences widely available to Japanese consumers soon.”
With nearly 200 branches nationwide, SEGA Game Center is one of the leading arcade chains in Japan. Managed and operated by SEGA Entertainment, the arcades currently provide a range of entertainment choices including Prize Games where customers can win a range of unique items; rhythm action experiences; the latest game consoles; “Purikura” which are photo sticker booths where in some stores costumes can be rented; and Medal Games where friends challenge each other to win as many tokens possible.
The StarVR HMD is a VR head-mounted display (HMD) built from the ground-up for enterprise and professional entertainment use. The HMD features a 5K resolution and 210-degree field of view, with the potential to offer experiences above and beyond home environment setups.
Purchased by Starbeeze Studios back in 2015, StarVR has since received significant investment from Acer. The StarVR HMD is targeting location-based VR specifically, and so is the perfect partner for SEGA Entertainment’s planned expansion. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest moves on the VR scene from SEGA Entertainment, as well as any new StarVR installations.
