RPG on an arcade machine

[Dodgeson]

What's the deal with that? How would that even work?
At first I thought that maybe the RPG part is supposed to be played on a home console of sorts, but the trailer for the game flat-out shows the RPG game on the cabinet.

[Avianographer]

I think the closest example would be Crossed Swords for the Neo Geo arcade platform. It is a first person game, though it doesn't have turn-based combat like Kill Screen.

[Cat's Pajamas]

The one thing the story has going for it, so far, is that it's a rather unconventional arcade. Not a business, but like someone rented out a basement, had the games, invited the people, and used the cash to help pay the rent. (edit: I take this back. I looked back at a few screen shots. Definitely more of a business adventure)

It's definitely artistic liberty at work. Kill Screen tells the most story, but you're right. It would seem better explained if the character was playing in the bedroom on a home console.

There are some early arcade systems that allowed you to play home computer style games. Maybe think of a Nintendo PlayChoice-10 and someone snuck in Shadowgate.

This feels based off of Sega Master System's Phantasy Star, crossed with talking games like Berzerk.

It doesn't fit exactly, being a side scroller, but Taito did make the RPG game Cadash, which was a 4 player game built for the arcades, in a 2-screen cabinet. Fancy for it's time. It had the whole "Choose a character class, talk to villagers, level up, upgrade your items at the shop, read storytelling elements"

[Cat's Pajamas]

Originally posted by Dodgeson:

What's the deal with that? How would that even work?
At first I thought that maybe the RPG part is supposed to be played on a home console of sorts, but the trailer for the game flat-out shows the RPG game on the cabinet.

Heh. I just recalled. If you -really- want an oddity pointed out... It's that it appears as a standard joystick/button played game.... But, the bottom left shows text commands being entered. :)

[Niall]

RPG game in the arcade. The original Gauntlet was RPG-like. You could build health and get extra powers (hidden potions) and your character could be built up into an immortal, all on one credit. I miss those days in the arcade.

[Wiwo]

Originally posted by Dodgeson:

What's the deal with that? How would that even work?

Easy, with time.
When I was a kid, I played A LOT of Super Mario Kart in arcades. They just had a SNES inside the arcade cabinet. Depending of the coin, you got more or less time to play.

For 100 pesetas (Spanish coin at the time, 0,60€), you got 500 seconds. When the timer run out, the arcade cabinet resets the SNES inside and you can't play anymore.

The same could be done with... Master System's Phantasy Star, for example.