It has been a crowd-puller at several international shows since it was first seen outside of Japan at IAAPA Expo last November, but airsoft shooting game On Point has been officially launched by UNIS.
Developed by Japanese companies Taito and NatsumeAtari and South Korean firm Youngbae, the game has already been sited in over 120 locations across Japan and has since created quite the stir in Orlando, IAAPA Europe, CES and EAG.
“It’s been really well received everywhere,” said UNIS general manager Steven Tan at EAG in London recently. “Consumer media outlet IGN rated it one of the eight coolest items at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While we were there, we were approached by a couple of major esports organisers and on the back of that, On Point will be making its debut at esports events.”
The game’s esports credentials are considerable; not least the online leader board the game enjoys, which tracks scores from players across the world.
Due to arrive with operators early April, UNIS has its sights set not only on the amusement industry but further afield too. “It’s such a neat concept, taking the technology from airsoft and combining it with out-of-home video game technology,” said Tan.
“While airsoft, on the whole, has a strong following in Europe and the US, there are still a lot of people haven’t experienced it, so there’s great scope for On Point. So much so that we’re taking it to the IWA Outdoor Classics show (hunting and shooting sports) in Germany and an esports expo.
“It just has such a wide appeal to different markets. Like we did with Pong, we’re always eager to invest in products that have an edge and we feel that On Point provides just that.”
Featuring eight games for both single and multiplayer experiences, an individual cabinet can host up to four players together in multiplayer mode.
The main draw is authentic gas-blowback airsoft gun used to fire actual BB pellets toward on-screen targets while a specially designed 55ins game screen absorbs the impact from shots fired, which then drops the spent ammunition into a collection box.
The game utilises intelligent safety features that prevent rounds being discharged when the gun is pointed away from the screen and sensors, which engage an electric motor lock, if line of sight is intercepted within one metre. Safety glasses on the control module are also available.
