I grew up 10 miles from my local laser tag arena. At least once a month my friends and I would beg our parents to take us to the WoWZone where they had “all you could play” laser tag for 15 dollars a day. We were in heaven.
Enter LyteShot, a Chicago based company who is doing some amazing things with the sport, and so much more.
LyteShot's goal is to take what the Wii and Wii U have done for sensor and active gameplay and take it into the real world. The LyteShot system is comprised of two basic components; the Lyter, which is the wand you hold in your hand, and the LyteShot Puck, which is the receiver.
From all of the videos and promotional images, it seems that the possibilities are endless for LyteShot because they've taken this technology and made it into something unique. They have designed a bunch of different peripherals including guns and wands that can take the experience to a whole new level.
The wand is probably the coolest idea I've seen yet because it shows that LyteShot is more than just standard laser tag with fancy gadgets. The wand becomes part of a game called Besiege that takes a more fantasy/RPG element to it. You get a series of spells that are tied to your smartphone and an application installed on it and you have to gesture your wand in certain ways to “cast” certain spells. Talk about immersion! Harry Potter fans will eat this up for sure (Yes, this includes me). All movements are calculated by a gyrosenser built into the LyteShot itself which allows you to cast the correct spell. Its amazing technology.
The possibilities are endless for LyteShot as they have opened up their software and hardware completely to all developers. Think of the amazing games that could be created! Imagine games that get you off the couch and out into the real world with your friends spanning all sorts of genres from a long lasting, multi session RPG to a quick Call of Duty style shoot out. It excites me just to think about the possibilities. If you have a 3D printer, you can print off your own peripherals as well, creating even more new ways to use the device. LyteShot also has an online marketplace where you can download and share new games, ideas, and also share your experiences.
The fun doesn't stop there, however. You can actually pair the LyteShot with a pair of Epsons Moverio Glasses and you get a full gaming HUD in front of your eyes. Giving you different stats and screens based off of the game you're playing. For example, the bottom of the glasses can display a full 360 degree map of your surrounding area which can give you hints as to which way your opponent might have gone. Round timers, kill statistics, and more can all be shown on the glasses.
After being a hit at CES 2015, LyteShot have started a Kickstarter campaign to help make this amazing dream a full reality. As of this writing, they've raised $34,000 dollars of their $168,000 dollar goal. I highly recommend this amazing looking product and cannot wait to see what more they come up with. You can find this campaign live right here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1450125572/lyteshot-a-sensor-based-mobile-gaming-platform and check it out in action below.