Master of Weapon Japan

Master of Weapon Japan^[a] is a 1989 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Taito internationally and by Profit-Vend in the USA.^[1] A port to the Sega Mega Drive was released in 1990 exclusively in Japan.

Plot – Master of Weapon Japan

An entire week of nuclear war on Earth destroys its global environment. The survivors of the war gather their strength and resources in an attempt to bring Earth back to the way it was. Using a supercomputer called God System, the survivors start their first step in rebuilding Earth by having the God System create machines capable cleaning and reconstructing much of what has been lost from the war. However, without warning, a mysterious mutant entity known as “N” takes over the God System; creating three strange guardian statues based on Greek mythological figures, N manipulates the God System’s machines and programs in order to attack mankind. The survivors create an artificial human called Yukiwo – built to harness perfect dexterity and strength – as well as a super-powered jet for him to pilot in order to reclaim Earth from N.

Gameplay – Master of Weapon Japan

The spaceship starts with a basic photon cannon and air-to-ground bombs. Both of these weapons can fire continuously without a need for pause. The photon cannon can be upgraded five times for up to five streams of photons by collecting P upgrades. Additionally, the exhaust of the ship can be used as a weapon.

Special Weapons – Master of Weapon Japan

Special weapons can be collected by picking up boxes with specific labels through destroying transport vessels. These then upgrade the weaponry of the ship.

P (Piercing) – Essentially the same as the conventional air-to-ground bomb. This is the default special weapon.
L (Laser) – Very powerful but has a short range. It can attack both air and ground targets.
G (Guide) – Shoots several green projectiles that track all targets on screen, self-destruct, and destroy the target.
W (Wide) – A somewhat powerful launch of several projectiles in a star pattern
H (H-Bomb) – Destroys all enemies on the screen for a few seconds. Can only be used once.
S – Increases the exhaust of the ship, allows it to damage enemies at a further range and increases movement speed of the ship.

Reception – Master of Weapon Japan

Game Machine listed Master of Weapon Japan as being among the most popular arcade games in Japan of June 1989.^[2]

he weapons master, sometimes credited as the armorer, weapons specialist, weapons handler, weapons wrangler, or weapons coordinator, is a film crew specialist that works with the property master, director, actors, stunt coordinator and script supervisor.^[1] The master of Weapon Japan is specifically responsible for maintaining control of any prop weapons, including firearms, knives, swords, bows, and staff weapons.^[1]

Duties – Master of Weapon Japan

In some areas the weapons master must be a licensed armourer when firearms are used as props.^[2]

As of 1993, when Brandon Lee was killed by a gun believed to be loaded with blanks, the rules of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers required:^[3]

Someone certified for the weapon in use be present at all times
Firearms must be checked before and after each take
Firearms must be cleaned daily
Firearms must be stored securely by the props master when not in use
Loaded guns must never be pointed at anyone
Protective clothing must be worn by everyone nearby when blanks are fired
If firearms are to be fired directly at the camera, a plexiglass shield must be erected
Only the person certified for the weapon or someone under their direct supervision may hand a weapon to an actor