Virtual Juggling Box from Switzerland

Put on VR goggles and get started on the real foosball table - better known in Switzerland as a "Jöggeli" or "Töggeli" box: With Koliseum Soccer VR, the Swiss start-up Kynoa combines high-tech with the popular game of football.

Two rows of players face each other in midfield. Just like you know it from any table football game. Suddenly, one player breaks away from the bar and starts dribbling. With the ball at his feet, he leaves the opposing centre line and defenders behind him, makes one more move - and then shoots unstoppably into the left corner.

What sounds like a table footballer's dream is reality - at least virtual reality. The Swiss start-up Kynoa has built a versatile jöggeli box that works in conjunction with VR headsets.

Koliseum Soccer VR looks very similar to a conventional table football machine. However, the surface is sealed with a metal cover. Four Rift cameras are embedded in the surface, which Koliseum uses to track the players' headsets. In the game, the two opponents - there are always four of them - can be seen as semi-transparent avatars. The solid kicker bars have a total of four buttons on the handles at thumb height, which players can use to trigger special effects such as free dribbling. The virtual playing field resembles a conventional table football arena, but various settings can be selected for the surroundings, such as a futuristic stadium, a pirate ship or a Metropolis backdrop.

Virtual tricks

The game is highly turbulent. Professional footballers naturally have an advantage because reaction speed and attack routines are also very important here. But if you use the special effects tactically, you can also take even experienced table football players by surprise. Free dribbling is triggered by pressing the centre button and only ends when the attacker scores a goal or is blocked by a defender - he then shatters and reassembles in his original position. The top button is for lobs which, with the right timing, can cover the whole pitch.

The side buttons are not yet active, but according to the manufacturer, they can be assigned additional functions depending on the level of play. For example, if you want to temporarily strengthen the attack, you can order a player from the centre line to the front. Of course, there is then the risk of being overrun in midfield. The duration of the game can be customised.

The gameplay is spiced up with additional effects. If the ball rolls over a special symbol, three balls suddenly appear - which can radically change the score within seconds. One particularly spectacular effect is a large fireball that leaves a trail of destruction on the virtual pitch: Whoever is left standing can play on an empty pitch for around five seconds.

Sophisticated technology

A total of five PCs are required to make this all work. Four calculate the visual content for the players at the table, while a fifth acts as a server. Of course, there is also a mechanism that sets virtual balls in motion.

If you're wondering where the table football is used, read on the day after tomorrow.

Sources: Golem, Gaminggadgets, Kynoa, Youtube