Could Zyro Became The Wii of Drone Gaming?

A California drone company is looking to kick start a drone-based gaming platform that could become the “Wii of drone flight.”

On Wednesday, Redwood City-based Zyro Games announced the launch of a Kickstarter for the Zyro GameDrone. Billed as a “revolutionary new gaming platform that … brings electronic gaming to real life, in the air,” the GameDrone system will work with a wireless network and allow a player to control a quadcopter in a “virtual field.”

One or more drone users can participate in games such as virtual soccer, disc or hockey using a Zyro Wand Remote which can be attached to the drone or be controlled by hand (like a Wii-mote).

“Blending cutting edge technology with the freedom and fun of sports has been an incredible undertaking,” said Zyro developer Andrew Smith.

To start a game, a player would place the GameDrone in the middle of a field and activate the quadcopter using a controller or mobile app. What happens next will depend on whatever game the user chooses. Players can control the size of the virtual field (for example half-court or football-field size), the field height (up to eight meters) and how the GameDrone will move – in either swinging or passing motions. Zyro’s mobile app will allow players to choose from one-two person mode or a team mode.

“The Zyro GameDrone reacts depending on the game,” said Zyro Director of Public Relations Karen Bolt. “It changes the playing field size so it bounces off the virtual walls, and it chooses the right kinds of sport moves,” she added. “It’s like playing Wii or PS4 in real life, in the skies – but with no screen required.”

Bolt explains that the swinging motion is similar to hitting at a ball with a tennis racquet or throwing a ball with a lacrosse stick. “When Zyro is near you, the action of swinging your controller will propel Zyro away from you, to the left or right, or even beckon it back towards you,” she said. Passing is exactly as it sounds – like passing a football or basketball down a field or court. “When a player’s drone with a Zyro Drone Remote gets near the GameDrone, it will nudge the GameDrone away from it, allowing the player to ‘push’ or guide it down the field toward the goal — or goal line.”

Although the possibilities in gaming may excite many drone enthusiasts, the project is still in development. The company has launched a draft version of a Kickstarter campaign but has not officially made it “live.”

“The possibilities for Zyro are endless,” Smith said. “We look forward to the fun ideas and feedback we expect to receive from new enthusiasts.”