Shootout — Reference

Shootout

Terms, Decision Guides & Quick Reference

Terminology, setting decisions, and key specifications.

Glossary: Shootout Terms Explained

Shootout

The product family name for a series of six sport-themed shooting game activations. Clients purchase individual sub-engagements within the Shootout series.

Sub-engagement

One of the six individual sport-themed games within the Shootout series. Each instance is created for a specific sub-engagement. The six sub-engagements are: Football (QB Toss), Hockey (Slapshot), Basketball (Swish), Carnival, Baseball (Grand Slam), and Soccer (Goal).

Instance

A complete, self-contained configuration for one Shootout sub-engagement. Holds the sub-engagement type, event planning settings, Control tab configuration, design settings, and prizing. Multiple instances can exist for different events or configurations.

Sync mode

An operation mode where all players play simultaneously during one shared session. Each player gets one attempt. The gameplay timer limits total play duration. The mainboard shows real-time 3D gameplay animation. Best for live events with a defined shared moment.

Async mode

An operation mode where players participate on their own schedule within the activation window. Each player gets one attempt unless Free Play is enabled. The mainboard shows an active leaderboard. Best for extended activations.

Free Play

An Async-mode option that allows players to play the game repeatedly rather than being limited to one attempt per session.

Event planning

The Control tab settings that determine how the activation is timed. Three modes: Off (manual), Duration (auto-stops after set time), Schedule (auto-starts and stops at set dates and times).

Automatic reset

A Schedule mode option that resets the instance within the scheduled window, enabling multiple play cycles with separate analytics sessions and prize cycles.

Gameplay duration timer

The amount of time players have to shoot after the countdown completes. Set in the Control tab.

Countdown timer

The 5-4-3-2-1 timer that runs before gameplay begins. Set in the Control tab.

Touch to Start screen

A screen that prompts players to tap before gameplay begins. Primarily exists to enable sound on iPhone devices — iOS requires a user touch to activate audio.

Tutorial

An optional introduction that plays at the beginning of the game showing players how to play. Can be enabled or disabled in the Control tab.

On fire

A visual effect triggered by three consecutive successful shots. Color is configurable in the Design tab.

HORSE mechanic

An optional gameplay mode in Basketball (Swish). Players receive a letter for each missed shot. Spelling the complete word ends their game. The word is customizable up to six characters. Separate from and unaffected by the on fire mechanic.

Distance mechanic

A Basketball (Swish) control option that gradually moves the shooting position further from the basket as the game progresses, increasing difficulty over time.

Static positioning

A Basketball (Swish) control option. When enabled, the ball stays centered. When disabled, the ball moves left and right toward the end of the game.

Target transition timer

A Hockey (Slapshot) control setting that determines how quickly targets cycle in and out of the goal during gameplay.

Jersey text editor

A built-in design tool in Baseball (Grand Slam) for customizing the name and number on the player's jersey. Configurable settings include text, font size, spacing, X/Y position, and color.

Stadium background

In Baseball (Grand Slam), a full 2D backdrop image placed behind all other game elements — from the sky to the ground.

Participation prize

A prize awarded to any player who plays the game, regardless of score or rank.

Consolation prize

A prize awarded to players who play but do not receive any other prize (Points, Rank, or Participation).

Points prize

A prize awarded when a player's score reaches or exceeds a configured threshold.

Rank prize

A prize awarded when a player's final rank falls within a configured range.

Manual distribution

A prize distribution setting where prizes are held until the operator manually distributes them. Recommended for Points, Rank, and Consolation prizes in Async mode.

Automatic distribution

A prize distribution setting where prizes are distributed immediately when a player meets the condition. Appropriate for all prize types in Sync mode; use with caution in Async.

Layered virtual view

The unique design interface for Carnival that shows a visual representation of the game with all uploadable layers visible. Hovering highlights the specific layer each upload controls.

Meter display

A UI element in Soccer (Goal) that shows players their current time remaining and on fire streak progress at a glance.

Decision Guides: Choosing the Right Setting

Sync or Async mode?

All players will be in the same place at the same time and I want everyone playing together

→ Sync mode — everyone plays simultaneously, the mainboard shows live gameplay.

Players will participate at different times or over an extended period

→ Async mode — players join and play on their own schedule.

I want a lobby or multi-day activation

→ Async mode.

I want a halftime show or live event moment

→ Sync mode.

I want players to be able to play more than once

→ Async mode with Free Play enabled.

Which event planning mode?

I want to start and stop the event manually

→ Off — full manual control.

I want the event to run for a set amount of time and stop itself

→ Duration — set the length and it stops automatically.

I want to run the activation at a specific time or date without being there to start it

→ Schedule — set start and end dates and times.

I want multiple play cycles with separate analytics within one campaign window

→ Schedule with automatic reset enabled.

Automatic or Manual prize distribution?

Sync mode, any prize type

→ Either Automatic or Manual works.

Async mode, Points prize

→ Manual — award after all players have competed.

Async mode, Rank prize

→ Manual — rankings change as more players finish; award at the end.

Async mode, Consolation prize

→ Manual — depends on other prizes; award when all decisions are made.

Async mode, Participation prize

→ Either works — less timing-sensitive than competitive prizes.

Which sub-engagement should I choose?

American football event or NFL partnership

→ Football (QB Toss) — players throw at point-value target players.

Ice hockey event or NHL partnership

→ Hockey (Slapshot) — players shoot at cycling targets in a goal.

Basketball event or NBA partnership

→ Basketball (Swish) — players shoot baskets with optional HORSE and distance mechanics.

Family-friendly or general entertainment event

→ Carnival — players aim at carnival-style targets - accessible to all audiences.

Baseball event or MLB partnership

→ Baseball (Grand Slam) — players hit the pitched balls with custom jersey personalization.

Soccer event or MLS/international partnership

→ Soccer (Goal) — players kick at targets; newest and most polished UI.

Should I enable the HORSE mechanic in Basketball (Swish)?

I want a simple scoring experience

→ Leave HORSE off — players just shoot for points.

I want an elimination-style game where players can be knocked out

→ Enable HORSE — players accumulate letters on misses and are eliminated when they spell the word.

I want to tie the HORSE word to a brand or sponsor

→ Enable HORSE and customize the word — up to six characters.

Should I use Free Play in Async mode?

I want each player to have one meaningful attempt

→ Leave Free Play off.

I want guests to keep engaging over a long activation period

→ Enable Free Play — players can return and play again.

I am using rank-based prizes

→ Use Manual distribution and consider whether repeated play affects your intended prize structure.

Quick Reference Tables

Sub-engagement comparison

Operation mode comparison

Common language and what it means in the platform