LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Showscan Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: SHOW) announced that a new Showscan movie-based simulation theatre attraction opened Saturday, July 22, at the Asia and Pacific Trade Center in Osaka, Japan. The installation is a joint venture of Showscan and Imagine-Japan, with SEGA being responsible for operating the theatre.
The theatre, called "Power Imaginator," will be part of the Galbo theme park to be operated by SEGA at the trade center.
"There is a possibility for Showscan/Imagine/SEGA to extend and open more Showscan simulation theatre attractions if the Osaka installation proves very successful," said William C. Soady, Showscan's president and chief executive officer.
"The creative capabilities of Showscan, Imagine and SEGA will provide a very strong foundation for providing consumers in Japan with the excitement of the Showscan experience," Soady said.
"Our experience in the Asian market has demonstrated that Showscan's attractions have a track record of proven worldwide appeal. In combination with Imagine's sophisticated knowledge of theme park operations and SEGA's unique capabilities in interactive entertainment, we will provide visitors to Power Imaginator with an unprecedented entertainment experience."
Power Imaginator is located in the Asia and Pacific Trade Center, which attracted approximately a million visitors a month during its first year of operation. In addition to the amusement park and other entertainment facilities, the Center includes an office complex and an international trademart featuring sports, gift, jewelry and fashion merchandise.
"Imagine has opened more than a dozen Showscan theatres in Japan, and we know how very successful these attractions are in our market," said Masao Fujimoto, Imagine-Japan's president. "The involvement of SEGA gives the attraction an even higher level of excitement," he added.
"The Power Imaginator exemplifies SEGA's new focus on amusement park attractions," said Toshiyuki Sugano, manager of SEGA.
Imagine is Showscan's exclusive agent in Japan, selling simulation and specialty theatre attractions throughout that country. Imagine also owns and operates several of the installations. Imagine is a unit of Takayama Busan, which owns and operates leisure entertainment attractions.
SEGA is a leading producer of hardware and software for the in-home and out-of-home entertainment markets. The company already operates four amusement parks in Japan. SEGA opened Galbo in Osaka in April 1994; Joypolis in Yokohama in July 1994; as well as Galbo in Chiba and Galbo in Mie in 1994.
Showscan Entertainment Inc. is an international leader in the production and exhibition of exciting movie-based entertainment attractions shown in large-screen, special-format theatres worldwide. The company's simulation and specialty theatres, which utilize the patented Showscan film process, are open or under construction in 21 countries around the world, located in theme parks, expos, world's fairs, resorts, shopping centers, casinos, museums and other tourist destinations. Showscan owns and operates its own theatres, and operates others in partnership with leading entertainment companies around the world.