Let's enjoy the e-AMUSEMENT world!

In the late 90's is the time that the internet starts to bloom. There are a few devices are internet capable unlike in todays' time. It is also the time that Arcade machines are beginning to use internet to post rankings, but Arcade machine give codes to players at the end of the credit and players must encode it to the game website in a period of time.

In 2003, Konami release the e-AMUSEMENT in Japan. This service use the internet is directly plugged into the arcade machine. This service aims to save scores, unlock game features and Internet ranking. The e-AMUSEMENT service is also available in some countries outside Japan depending if the Arcade operator has a subscription with Konami. The player must have an e-AMUSEMENT card that can be bought to the Arcade store cashier or a Card dispenser and the machine they will use is connected to the service.

(Earlier e-AMUSEMENT Cards)

The first e-AMUSEMENT cards are made of magnetic cards and easily bent if the owner mishandles the card. The bad thing is these cards is only usable in one arcade game and you are required to buy another card to a different game.

In 2006, Konami upgrades the service by centralizing all data in one card and using contactless smartcard.

(The current standard design)

In 2010, they launched "PASELI" a service where players can store virtual credits into their cards and use as a payment to the game, without inserting coins or tokens into the machine.

I got my first and last e-AMUSEMENT entry way back in 2007, when my family had a vacation in Hong Kong. I inserted my card in a DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA game. At first, I had no idea how will I use the card because the instructions appeared in the screen are in Japanese. Fortunately, an Arcade attendant helped me to use it.

Though, the Philippines is one of the deprived countries that don't support e-AMUSEMENT service, many of us were able to obtain the cards thru ebay, brokerage or  they previously visited a country where this service is available . These cards are not only available in Arcade shops but also bundled in other Konami merchandises such as Video games and Game Soundtracks. However, those cards bundled are limited because these cards have a special design artwork, Like I have a Concertino in Blue design card that was bundled with GuitarFreaks and DrumMania MASTERPIECE GOLD video game for PlayStation 2 and other one is the QMA card bundled with the Quiz Magic Academy for Nintendo DS.

 

Some of my acquaintances were able to find ways to use their cards by means of emulation into an offline machine. The emulating software is called "eamumu" that could emulate the features of an online machine.

This service is vital to very arcade gamers, other Game publishers like Namco and Pentavision have their internet service here in the Philippines. If this service becomes available, I'm very sure it will be a huge success!

Photos: © 2013 Happy Fiesta Productions