The Fireshark platform offers unique social gameplay across the floor and along four walls.
Kent Johnson, founder of Wichita-based Fireshark Gaming, came up with the idea for an immersive theater 18 months ago out of a desire to create something for his teenage sons to enjoy.
“He has three sons, all in high school and middle school,” said Jake Williams, General Manager. “He was taking them to Jumpland and Laser Quest. They use pretty old technology. He saw the need in the marketplace for entertainment that is cutting edge.”
Johnson has an engineering degree from Iowa State University, 20 years experience in software development, and three previous startups under his belt. He started Fireshark after selling his most recent company, BoldChat, two years ago.
Games for the Fireshark system are developed in Unity and run on an original, homegrown platform which uses 10 Android tablets and 18 projectors in a 32’x19′ room. Twelve of the projectors are for the floor, strategically positioned to cut down on shadows and maintain a bright, high quality display.
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The uniqueness of the platform creates its own challenges for game design.
Players will be able to race along the floor and on the walls
“You never know where the player is standing or looking because there are five different cameras (the floor and four walls),” said Williams. “You can’t assume the player is standing in a corner.”
Although there is currently only one game for the theater, Mech Mayhem, Fireshark is developing a racing game that will be released soon. Players will be able to race along the floor and on the walls.
The building includes two game theaters which each run 30 minute game slots, staggered by 15 minutes. Customers can sign up for open games online, plan a party event or drop in. Each game is designed for up to 10 players.
Fireshark opened on April 15th in Wichita, and so far the customer response has been very positive.
“We had Textron Aviation’s HR department out for an event,” said Williams. “They were skeptical going in. When they came out, they were having a blast, talking trash to each other.”
After their experience, the HR department set up another party for their interns this summer.
