Michael Jackson Wiki

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Michael Jackson Wiki
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Michael Jackson Wiki

Michael Jackson in Scramble Training was an interactive space film/on-rail shooter/spaceship simulator for the AS-1 Arcade Amusement machine by a division of Sega, AM-5. It would be available exclusively at the Sega World amusement park, debuting in June of 1993. Michael Jackson portrays the role of a flight trainer, Commander Jackson, and guides through the game's mission.

Background[]

While Jackson was in Japan for the Dangerous World Tour in December 1992, he got to visit AM-5's development warehouse, where he became a tester for AS-1, running an English version of the original Scramble Training. After being satisfied with the product, Michael asked to be a part of it for free, with Sega covering some of the production costs.

Due to this being decided so shortly before the premiere itself, the game was released by Sega without Jackson in February 1993. In June, the version featuring the King of Pop, titled Michael Jackson in Scramble Training debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Despite the allegations against the artist from soon after, the version featuring Michael was still present at many of the locations around the world.[1]

Discontinuation and lost media[]

Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, AS-1 was discontinued and so was Scramble Training. Any footage of the video game was long-lost and became rather a legend, with the only sources of information left being memories of people who played it and news outlets. Over the years, some VHS videos taken at Sega World were being posted on YouTube, although in very low quality. Sega had stated, that they have no interest in re-releasing the game.[1]

Discovery[]

D2tapescramble

D-2 tape

In Summer 2022, a British video game collector, Ben Bizley attended a car boot sale. There, he met with a seller, whose father happened to have formerly worked for Sega. The collector bought promo posters and toys. However, the seller additionally sent him images of a D-2 tape he forgot to mention. The tape was titled "SEGA AS-1 (M. JACKSON VER.)", and included the version of Scramble Training that featured Michael Jackson, dated back to May 31, 1996, and was used for the AS-1 simulator at the Sega World.[1]

Michael_Jackson_in_Scramble_Training_-_Sega_AS-1_-_1993

Michael Jackson in Scramble Training - Sega AS-1 - 1993

Initially, Bizley had no way of playing the tape and wasn't exactly sure what he just received. He decided to post about it on multiple gaming groups on Facebook, in hopes of answers. A member of the Galaxy Sega group member, Nick Greenfield recognized what the game might be and he and Ben immediately decided to get the tape digitized. They used help from the Oxford Duplication Centre and after weeks of waiting, they finally preserved the entire 8-minute Michael Jackson in Scramble Training film. It is however missing multiple parts of the original experience, such as the introductory video, also starring the King of Pop.[1]

It is unknown why the tape was initially located in the UK, although it is theorized, that it was sent to Sega World London for promotional usage.[1]

Trivia[]

  • This is the second Jackson-themed video game produced by Sega, with the first one, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker dating back to 1990.
    • Jackson also famously made music for Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which later caused issues with re-releases of the game.

References[]

Videogames
"Michael Jackson's Moonwalker" • "Michael Jackson: The Experience" • "Michael Jackson in Scramble Training" • "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" • "Space Channel 5" • "Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2"
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