14 DAY TRIAL // So far only male users can enjoy playing video games in the modern bathrooms at the Exhibit bar, in London.
The games were developed by British company Captive Media, and were previously tested at the Ta Bouche bar in Cambridge.
“We tend to drink a lot of water so that we can test the product more often,” pee game developer Gordon MacSween tells NowHereThis.
They are played on 12-inch LCD screens placed just above the urinals, for maximum visibility. While in sleep mode, the monitors act as advertising outlets. Once a “gamer” approaches, however, they instantly enter playing mode.
One of the games offered on this platform is a skiing contest in which you have to direct the movement of the skier. The player will be “controlling the system just by aiming their stream left or right,” the makers say.
The games were made available in November 2011 and have attracted a lot of attention since. As the company name suggests, customers have 2 options – they can choose to ignore the game, or get involved and try to get better at it.
Bar owners have noticed improvements in their customers' scores, which suggests intentionality and even practice. This proves that the unique service can not only help attract new customers, but also make them come back for another go.
The added bonus was that bathrooms looked tidier after the games were installed.
“There has been less mess, which we sort of expected because we designed the game so you’re not splashing about,” MacSween explained.
It also worked as therapy for customers with anger issues. Vandalism incidents have subsided since the devices were added.
“When we put it in, people thought it’d be ripped off the wall within a week, but it’s still there after four months. Because people are having a laugh, there’s a lot less vandalism. People just tend to get less angry,” pub owners said.
This new way of looking at gaming is sure to create a buzz. If not for how it would improve socializing in the bathroom, just because it's fun.