Shootout
Skills Guide: Getting Started vs Advanced
A learning roadmap for Shootout operators.
Getting started: You understand the Shootout product structure, can create and configure an instance, run both Sync and Async activations, configure prizing correctly for each mode, and test before going live.
Advanced: You can configure sub-engagement-specific mechanics, manage complex Async activations with multiple prize types, use event scheduling and automatic reset for extended campaigns, customize designs across all six sub-engagements, and coordinate live Sync activations with production teams.
Getting Started
Master everything in this section before your first Shootout activation.
Platform basics
Logging in and navigating to Shootout
Finding Shootout in the product navigation bar.
Understanding that Shootout is a product family — each sub-engagement is purchased separately
Clients only see and can use sub-engagements they have purchased.
Creating a new instance and selecting the correct sub-engagement
Each instance is tied to one sub-engagement — this cannot be changed after creation.
Understanding the six sub-engagements
Football (QB Toss) — players throw at targets worth different point values; field goal available
Hockey (Slapshot) — players shoot at targets within a goal that cycle in and out
Basketball (Swish) — players shoot baskets; optional distance, positioning, and HORSE mechanics
Carnival — carnival-themed shooting gallery with a unique layered design interface
Baseball (Grand Slam) — players hit targets; unique jersey editor and stadium backdrop
Soccer (Goal) — players kick at targets; newest and most polished UI with meter display
Operation modes
Sync mode — all players play simultaneously; one attempt each; mainboard shows real-time 3D gameplay
Best for live events with a defined moment — halftime shows, in-venue activations.
Async mode — players play on their own schedule; mainboard shows active leaderboard
Best for extended activations — lobby experiences, multi-day campaigns.
Free Play toggle — allows repeated attempts within Async
Only available in Async mode.
Understanding that each player gets one attempt in both modes unless Free to Play is enabled
A common point of confusion — worth confirming before every activation.
Event planning
Off, Duration, and Schedule modes — what each does and when to use each
Schedule mode with automatic reset is powerful for extended campaigns.
Stop event when prizes reach zero — what it does and when to enable it
Critical for participation prize activations with a limited supply.
Control tab — shared settings
Tutorial toggle — enabling and disabling the how-to-play tutorial
Touch to Start screen — why it exists (iPhone sound) and when to use it
Clients often ask why this screen exists — knowing the reason prevents confusion.
Sound toggle
Gameplay duration timer and countdown timer — what each controls
Understanding the difference between these two timers is foundational.
Prizing basics
The four condition types: Points, Rank, Participation, Consolation
All four are available in Shootout — different from some other products.
Sync mode prizing: all types can be Automatic or Manual
Async mode prizing: Points, Rank, Consolation = Manual; Participation = either
The most important prizing rule in Shootout — wrong distribution mode in Async causes real problems.
Distributing manual prizes before stopping the event
The platform warns you — but knowing to expect this prevents panic on game day.
Analytics basics
Accessing the Analytics tab and selecting the correct instance
Understanding the session-level metrics: players, QR scans, time played, prizes delivered
Exporting a report
Design basics
Shared design uploads: game title, team logo, sponsor logo, loading image, backgrounds
These six uploads are the same for every sub-engagement.
Shared color settings: leaderboard elements, on fire color
Uploading fonts and enabling them on buttons via the Control tab toggle
Understanding that sub-engagement-specific design elements exist and differ by sport
Sets the expectation before diving into any specific sub-engagement.
Advanced
These skills are for experienced operators running complex activations or managing sub-engagement-specific configurations.
Sub-engagement-specific control mechanics
Hockey (Slapshot): configuring the target transition timer for the right difficulty level
Around 5 seconds for general audiences; around 3 seconds for experienced players.
Basketball (Swish): distance mechanic — when to enable and what it does to player experience
Basketball (Swish): static positioning — understanding the left/right ball movement mechanic
Basketball (Swish): HORSE mechanic — setting it up, customizing the word, understanding the rules
Full gameplay mechanic — needs to be explained to players before the activation.
Advanced event planning
Schedule mode with automatic reset for multi-session campaigns
Multiple analytics cycles and prize resets within a single scheduled window.
Designing activation windows for Async campaigns — how long to run, when to stop
Free Play strategy — when repeated play helps vs when it creates prize distribution problems
Advanced prizing
Managing multiple prize types simultaneously — combining Points, Rank, Participation, and Consolation
Complex but powerful — needs careful distribution mode planning, especially in Async.
Understanding how automatic reset affects prize cycles
Using Stop event when prizes reach zero strategically
Sub-engagement-specific design
Football (QB Toss): configuring banner, ad boards, stadium colors, and target colors
Hockey (Slapshot): ice logo, puck logo, mainboard image left/right placement
Basketball (Swish): court key, partition, line logo, and stadium color configuration
Carnival: using the layered virtual view interface to upload and position assets correctly
The unique interface is intuitive once understood but unfamiliar the first time.
Baseball (Grand Slam): using the jersey text editor — name, number, positioning, texture replacement
The most complex design feature in the series.
Baseball (Grand Slam): stadium background — understanding the full backdrop and what it covers
Soccer (Goal): configuring team flags, goal media, and the meter display colors
Live production coordination
Sync mode coordination — timing the start with venue production or a live event moment
Managing the mainboard output in Sync vs Async — knowing what each shows and why
Handling the end of a Sync event — leaderboard format, prize distribution sequence
Readiness Checklists
Before your first activation
I understand which sub-engagement this instance is for and have created the instance correctly
I have chosen Sync or Async mode and understand what each means for my event
I have configured event planning (Duration, Schedule, or Off)
I have set the gameplay duration timer and countdown timer
I have enabled or disabled the tutorial, touch to start screen, and sound as needed
I have configured all four prize types with the correct distribution mode for my operation mode
I have uploaded the shared design assets: game title, team logo, sponsor logo, backgrounds
I have confirmed I know how to access Analytics and export a report after the event
I have distributed any manual prizes before stopping a test run
Before a complex or high-production activation
I have configured any sub-engagement-specific control mechanics (HORSE, distance, target transition)
I have customized all sub-engagement-specific design elements
I have tested the full activation from start to finish including prizing and leaderboard
For Async: I have confirmed all competitive prizes are set to Manual distribution
For Sync: I have coordinated the start timing with venue production
I have confirmed the mainboard output is set up correctly for the operation mode being used
I have a plan for distributing manual prizes at the end of the activation