The simulated machine gun will feature a warning label and is designed exclusively for gamers aged 17 and older.The gaming weapon—named the RapidShot—will be introduced to the public on June 15 at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles. Designed and manufactured by Komodo, the RapidShot is the result of a long process to create an accessory that meets the needs of the mature gamer.
“Video games aren’t just for kids anymore,” said Titi Ngoy, president of Innex. Citing a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, Ngoy points out that more than half of U.S. adults play video games, and these adults compose a significant percentage of the $1.3 billion video game accessory market. “Graphics and stories are much more intense and mature than ever before,” continued Ngoy. “It’s about time a video game company delivered a realistic accessory to match that intensity.”
Komodo, also creators of the pump-action BuckShot shotgun accessory, modeled the RapidShot after Heckler & Koch’s MP5 submachine gun. Designed exclusively for the Nintendo® WiiTM gaming console, the weapon includes built-in controller functionality similar to the Wii remote, nunchuk, and Wii Motion PlusTM. This technology enables gamers to simply “point & shoot” any on-screen enemies. A detachable clip holds the batteries, adding to the accessory’s realism.
John Drdek, Innex’s new marketing manager, and a reserve officer in the United States Navy, was brought on board to assist the final stages of the RapidShot release. “I am very familiar with military weaponry,” said Drdek. “Having trained with a real MP5, I can say that the RapidShot is the closest simulation to the real thing I’ve ever used.”
Though Innex holds an account with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), they ultimately decided to apply their own warning label to the RapidShot packaging. “The ESRB had never dealt with anyone creating an age-restricted video game peripheral,” remarked Ngoy. “However, this is a very realistic combat accessory, and we want to ensure that parents and retailers understand that.”
The Pew Study also found the segment of adult video game players continues to grow. “A lot of our fans are military, ex-military, or adults who simply have a passion for realistic battle simulations,” continued Drdek. “This is evident in the success of games like ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.’ And the only video game accessory to offer that battle sensation is the RapidShot.”
The RapidShot will be available for live-game demonstrations at Booth 5514, West Hall, June 15-17.
Komodo specializes in the creation and manufacturing of cutting-edge peripherals for consumer electronics and video games. Komodo produces a wide variety of products ranging from cables and adapters to accessories for next-generation consoles, including the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Komodo’s previous shooting accessory, the BuckShot, was one of the highest-rated accessories for 2009 and remains a top-selling item.