Everyone knows about the connection between Michael Jackson and Sega. Moonwalker arrived on the Mega Drive between 1990 and 1991, and the artist collaborated on the music of Sonic 3, though he wasn't entirely satisfied with the final result. However, there's a much rarer piece that only saw the light through the AS-1 simulation platform: “Michael Jackson's Scramble Training”, a hybrid between interactive movie and flight simulator in which Michael takes on the role of instructor.
The AS-1: Sega's Advanced System-1
The AS-1, or Advanced System-1 is a simulation module that Sega launched for its main attractions and other arcade venues around the world in 1993. With a maximum capacity of eight people, the AS-1's hydraulic system reproduced movement in the module following the on-screen action. At the same time, each seat was equipped with a joystick and two buttons, allowing passengers to intervene in “interactive moments” of the simulation, taking down enemies and completing other missions.
Logically, a system with such characteristics is only as good as its content, but Sega had an ace up its sleeve: the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. A recognized fan of the company and its main games, the artist participated in a special project for the AS-1 called “Michael Jackson's Scramble Training”. In this mix of flight simulator and interactive movie, participants sought to obtain their “space pilot license”, but before that they had to pass through their flight instructor, the “Commander Jackson”:
The few available videos of “Michael Jackson's Scramble Training” suggest that the “flight” could become quite chaotic, and apparently it had more than one ending (obtaining the license or not) depending on the passengers' actions. In fact, one of the phases was under the control of the “most qualified pilot” in the session. All this is known thanks to isolated very low-definition copies, and the reason is obvious: the year was 1993. Unless it was an official presentation, the only way to record the film was to enter the module carrying a camera and point it at the giant screen.
The 1993 Factor
However, “Michael Jackson's Scramble Training” did not last long as part of the AS-1, and once again, the reason was 1993, a true annus horribilis for the singer. The accusations against him generated a great impact, and Michael lost several business links at that time (with PepsiCo at the helm). Although it cannot be fully confirmed, Sega simply would have decided to take some distance, and in the case of Sonic 3, a parallel version of that story indicates that Michael's music did not appear in the final version of the game for that same reason.
From AS-1 to Space Channel 5
Of course, Sega and Michael never completely interrupted their relationships. Not too long after, the singer had a special participation in the game Space Channel 5 for Dreamcast, which debuted in Japanese territory at the end of 1999. Shuji Utsumi, head of development at Sega Japan, had traveled to the United States and had the opportunity to show Michael a preliminary version of Space Channel 5. The singer was delighted with the game and basically asked to be part of it. In less than a month, the developers managed to insert 'Space Michael' into the game.
The Mysterious Star Fighter Training
To finish, it is necessary to highlight that in October 2015, the Web was turned upside down with the supposed appearance of “Michael Jackson Advanced Star Fighter Training”, a game for Mega-CD that served as a “tie-in” or sequel of what was seen in the AS-1. However, the general conclusion is that it is a forgery. When studying the only available image, experts indicate that the Japanese on the cover is quite bad, as is the print quality.
