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Transformers ride to lure Spring Festival crowds to Shanghai Joypolis as Sega, China Animation ready indoor amusement park

New park is first under Sega’s Joypolis brand to operate under a separate company; more expected in China if it proves a success; venue will be buttressed with virtual reality game centre next door

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The Shanghai venue is scheduled to open on February 6 and feature a Transformers ride among its many attractions. Time will tell if it differs from the Transformers: Human Alliance ride at Tokyo Joypolis, pictured here. Photo: Twitter
Zen Soo
Shanghai is due to start welcoming guests to its very own Joypolis indoor amusement park on February 6, two days before China celebrates its Spring Festival, the biggest holiday of the year, and four months shy of the official launch of Shanghai Disneyland in June.

The Sega-branded indoor park is being jointly developed by multimedia animation firm China Animation Group and the Japanese video game company.

WATCH: A sneak preview of what to expect from Shanghai Joypolis

Sega launched its first Joypolis in Yokohama in 1994 followed by similar venues in a string of other Japanese cities but several have since closed due to low attendance rates. It opened one in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao, in Shandong province, last summer.

READ MORE: China Animation’s Shanghai theme park rides Chinese cultural wave

The opening of the Shanghai park is timed to cash in on the expected holiday crowds as the vacation unofficially runs for about a week. This period often sees a boom in domestic tourism, according to the China National Tourism Administration.
Sega launched a self-operated Joypolis in China’s Qingdao, in eastern Shandong province, last July with several Sonic the Hedgehog-themed attractions. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Sega launched a self-operated Joypolis in China’s Qingdao, in eastern Shandong province, last July with several Sonic the Hedgehog-themed attractions. Photo: SCMP Pictures
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Located at the Shanghai Global Harbour shopping centre, the 8,300-square-metre park will provide 21 attractions to visitors, including a Transformers ride and a racing game dubbed Initial ‘D’ Arcade Stage 7.

A virtual artist named Violet, developed by Shenzhen-based China Animation, will also feature as a major character in some Joypolis attractions.

WATCH: A visitor enjoys the Transformers: Human Alliance ride at Tokyo Joypolis (Source: TokyoJoypolis Twitter account)

“We believe that Shanghai Joypolis can attract a wider swath of the young generation … bringing strong growth and income to the park,” Jason Zhuang, chief executive and executive director of China Animation told reporters on Monday.

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