AI-Powered Light Gun Controller Revives Classic Arcade Gaming on Modern Displays

Light gun support comes to LCD monitors -- new G'AIM'E gun controller comes with bundled Namco titles via Kickstarter

Time Crisis, Point Blank, and two Steel Gunner titles will be available with the all-in-one device -- which works with modern TVs. A new Kickstarter project could rekindle fast and responsive light gun gaming fun in your home. Launching soon on the crowdfunding platform is a campaign for the curiously titled G'AIM'E gun controller set, which will come with some of the best gun-toting titles of yesteryear. Japanese firm Tassei Denki is behind this project and has won the stamp of approval of Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (global license) to include Time Crisis, Point Blank, and two Steel Gunner titles in their bundles. The ascendancy of LCD TVs (and monitors) has come with lots of positives, but one of the biggest negatives was felt by light gun gaming enthusiasts. Light gun controllers offered fast, slick, and responsive gun play on CRTs, but the tech didn't translate to LCDs. Consoles introduced during the LCD era instead used motion controls and/or additional IR sensor bars for gun crosshair positioning. There have since been some solutions, but they haven't made it to mainstream. The low-latency G'AIM'E light gun controller, which we first heard about last September, is a self-contained product that promises to make light gun gaming fun again on modern LCDs, and now the campaign is about to launch. Sadly, the newly published Kickstarter 'launching soon' page doesn't provide much technical insight into the new light gun controller. "The G'AIM'E gun uses our own bespoke technology that utilizes a high-resolution camera and AI; in place of the traditional infrared used in light-guns of the past," the page explains. The blurb goes on to promise the hardware is capable of "giving you the same intense, time-based action you remember, now playable on modern displays." We'll point out this is a standalone solution -- it doesn't rely on the power of your console, PC, smart TV, or mobile. It's also wired, with a 10-foot (3m) cable, so users won't have to worry about modern gaming issues such as Bluetooth wireless lag. It is reassuring that Tassei Denki admits that light gun gaming on LCDs has been lacking, until now. However, we would advise potential Kickstarter backers to test out something as nuanced as light gun response before backing. At least check out a demonstration video, and third party reviews of the product. It will be interesting to see experienced users compare how well the hardware performs compared to CRT light gun controllers of old. There's no Kickstarter launch date or pricing indicators for the various G'AIM'E bundles at the moment. Also, remember that crowdfunding a project is not a guarantee of receiving a finished product. Backing a crowdfunded project is akin to an investment; you believe in the project and want it to succeed. You are not purchasing a guaranteed retail product.

Namco backs LCD-friendly light gun: fall release planned, Kickstarter coming soon

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: Since traditional light guns rely on CRT technology, the once-popular genre faded into obscurity with the rise of modern flat-screen panels. Multiple manufacturers have created workarounds in recent years, but Namco, the maker of numerous popular light gun games, is backing a device that supposedly revives the classics using AI. Tassei Denki Co. is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign for a plug-and-play light gun that supports modern displays and comes pre-installed with Time Crisis. Although the launch dates for the Kickstarter and the device itself remain unclear, availability is expected to begin this fall, in time for the classic arcade game's 30th anniversary. The "G'AIM'E" light gun was first unveiled last year, but Tassei has since redesigned the device and provided new information regarding what customers can expect. The gun doesn't rely on external gaming platforms, but rather ships plugged into a box that connects to a TV. The $89.99 standard package includes the arcade version of the first Time Crisis game, but a $119.99 premium tier adds Point Blank, Steel Gunner, Steel Gunner 2, and a foot pedal for taking cover. Light gun games from the 1980s and '90s, such as Duck Hunt, Virtua Cop, House of the Dead, and Time Crisis, interacted with CRTs using infrared lights and photosensors to calculate a player's aim when they pulled the trigger. In 2008, Namco's GunCon 3 controller for the PlayStation 3 version of Time Crisis 4 attempted to mimic Nintendo's Wii remote by employing sensors placed on either side of the display. Tassei advertises its light gun as a device that requires minimal setup in comparison, using AI and an internal camera to determine the position on-screen. Details on the AI utilized remain scarce, but the G'AIM'E also automatically readjusts in response to movement, eliminating the need for manual recalibration. Although Tassei isn't widely known, and critical details on the project remain unclear, Namco's seal of approval should come as a good sign. The G'AIM'E is the closest thing to an official light gun released in almost two decades. However, other light guns designed for homebrew retro consoles have recently emerged. The Sinden utilizes a high-speed camera to enable playing emulated classics on LCDs, LEDs, and OLED screens. It supports Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2. Another light gun based on the Sinden is expected to be unveiled for the Polymega modular console soon.