2019 COMMENDATION
BUSINESS:
Voxon Photonics
PRODUCT:
Voxon Z3D
AWARD CATEGORY:
Product or Service Design
INDUSTRY SECTOR:
Consumer Electronics
DESIGN:
Voxon Photonics
EXPORTING to:
20 Countries
1: BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Introducing the world’s first volumetric arcade machine, the Z3D. After a successful debut at the Tokyo Game Show 2018, the world is now able to purchase the Voxon Z3D. The Z3D’s unique and captivating visual appearance (think holograms from science fiction) has added a whole new dimension to gaming.
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
Voxon created a volumetric display to deliver what science fiction had always promised. In science fiction we were shown holograms, yet in real life they didn't exist. Voxon had created a '3D hologram' but then had to find applications for the display and discover just what problems did a volumetric display solve. Viewing Voxon's volumetric display is mesmerising, interactive and could be viewed from angles without headsets. The technology was perfect for the gaming industry. Games had never really been played in true 3D before. Voxon decided to design a 4 player arcade tabletop with buttons and joysticks to bring back the social aspect of gaming, yet with a futuristic 3D volumetric display.
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
We wanted the Z3D to be truly social and viewable from all angles so decided it had to be a 4 player arcade machine to allow for multiplayer games. We also wanted the Z3D to not only come along with a number of great games designed for new volumetric technology, but for users to also be able to create their own games for the Z3D. Voxon decided to use their ground breaking VX1 model as the basis for the Z3D, but include a whole new gaming console addition, a number of prebuilt games and a user interface and menu structure. 3D was about to hit gaming.
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
We took a prototype of the Z3D to the Tokyo Game Show in September 2018 to test user's reactions. It was hugely successful and it was immediately embraced by the Japanese and gaming communities. It was so successful we knew immediately that we had to release the Z3D as a commercial product. Since the recent launch of the Z3D demand has been an incredible number of enquiries, high demand and industry excitement surrounding this new type of volumetric arcade machine, which could potentially reinvigorate the arcade industry.
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
The Z3D was designed for the high end gaming enthusiast / prosumer market. A decision was made to only use quality arcade components on the control surface, along with quality LED's to backlight the buttons and joysticks… Along with quality hardware, quality games were paramount to a great arcade machine. Our software team were assigned to create a number of games particularly designed to show off the 3D volumetric nature and point of difference of the display. Exciting game play and ensuring the games were addictive was at the forefront of design. With Japan, China, USA and Australia being initial target markets, the number of initial enquiries have been high. Export success of the Z3D will help drive SA's resurgence as a tech hub, along with being a leader in the gaming industry.