Just a few weeks ago on Christmas Eve, we received news that Konami was testing out a brand new sniper arcade game in Japan called Gundog. From the descriptions it sounded like a follow-up to their popular but now 10+ years old Silent Scope game. The descriptions also indicated that it uses a transparent LCD screen and a touchscreen but despite information about it popping up online, there was image of the cabinet to clear up some of the uncertainty that creeps in when using online translators.
Thanks to AH contributor Kieran, he found a picture of the poster that Konami was using to promote the location test in Japan. It’s not the best shot but it is better than nothing so we have a better idea of what it looks like. I enhanced this image a little bit to bring out more detail but this seems to be the best for the moment:
From this it’s hard to tell what role the transparent LCD plays here; I wonder if it could mean that the technology is in the scope instead of one screen overlaying another. As discussed chances of this coming to the West are low (although who knows, given the popularity of Silent Scope perhaps a manufacturer with a presence here will work something out) but either way we should see more soon as the next big arcade trade show in Japan inches closer.
Games with “guns” are one thing but a game with a sniper rifle might be a bit controversial at the moment for the West. I believe Adrenaline Amusements has a patent on touchscreen transparent LCD with their game, Black Out.
I don’t know, while I understand what atmosphere you are referring to, given the record breaking gun sales I almost wonder if the worry in the industry is overblown. My gun games did better than ever last year.
Also more than one company has been seen using the transparent tech (Coke used it in a vending machine first; some Korean company had some games at a European show last year and a Chinese show or two) but I imagine Adrenaline could license it out if needed. Although it does seem like Konami generally does their own thing and makes their own patents. I suppose it depends on whether the transparent screen is also touch or if it is separate.
The Korean company at EAG last year had a transparent screen but all of the action was being done with a joystick. Francois from Adrenaline told me he has the patent for touchscreen transparent LCD, so I was just going off of that. Not really sure how in-depth that patent was for. As for gun games, I don’t think they will cause too much of an issue now but one that involves a sniper rifle is what I think will be the big factor. Games with sniper rifles like to glorify the “head shot” and I think that is what will cause people to be a bit hesitant about promoting it.
It’s hard to say. I thought there might be some backlash about it like some joints in the NE saw but I haven’t heard a single complaint. I don’t have a SS though so not sure if any location that had one heard of any complaints. I think most people know that gun video games and shooting real guns are not one in the same and mass shootings haven’t been sniper attacks but I know what you mean. Either way it seems unlikely that Gundog will get a chance over here, it’s too bad as it sounds intriguing. Although the price will certainly put it into the FEC/chain game category 😛
Hey how dose 1999 relate to 10 years! – that would be 16… right?
that’s why I said 10+ (kind of thinking about how the game seemed to have a few years of life on the market) although I guess 15+ would be better 😉