Infinite Onslaught Brings The Light-Gun Era To Steam In 2025

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Infinite Onslaught Brings The Light-Gun Era To Steam In 2025

As a gamer who spent countless hours feeding quarters into arcade machines back in the day, I can say that Infinite Onslaught from Bonkers Builders has reignited my excitement for light-gun games. The idea of using a keyboard to achieve the same level of precision targeting is ingenious and removes the hardware barrier that’s long plagued attempts to revive this style of gameplay.

Recall the satisfying sound of a plastic light gun and the captivating illumination of arcade displays? When games like Operation Wolf, Terminator 2, and Area 51 attracted hordes of players eager to prove their shooting skills against digital adversaries using mere coins? Although that era of gaming might seem far off, Ottawa-based Bonkers Builders has come up with an ingenious method to rekindle those memories without requiring any specific equipment. Their secret weapon? A keyboard.

Diving into Infinite Onslaught, my first foray with Ottawa’s Bonkers Builders and their groundbreaking “Keyboard Basher” tech. At first glance, the game’s retro vibe and outrageous action scenes could just be a nostalgia trip (and let’s face it, who doesn’t love that?). However, don’t let its old-school looks fool you. Hidden beneath this throwback design is a brilliant workaround for an issue that’s dogged efforts to rekindle light-gun gaming: the hardware hurdle.

How Keyboard Basher Transforms Infinite Onslaught

Emmanuel Prou, CEO of Bonkers Builders, explains during an MIGS 2024 interview that it’s somewhat like a self-perpetuating issue: people desire to play specific games, yet require special gear; developers aim to create such games, but not everyone owns the necessary equipment at home. His proposed solution? Innovate the ordinary keyboard into a device for precise targeting, making these games more accessible.

This innovative patent-pending Keyboard Basher tech assigns distinct screen areas to particular keys, enabling gamers to swiftly hit targets precisely by pressing the relevant key. What makes this method unique compared to conventional light-gun games is its capacity to aim at numerous adversaries all at once, a function that would have been impractical on classic arcade equipment. The tech exhibits exceptional adaptability, offering customizable key assignments and accommodating diverse gesture types, thereby adding intricate layers of control complexity.

Action-Packed Experience With A Twist

In due time, the concept transformed into a dynamic, action-packed gameplay experience. Players are able to engage multiple foes at once, resulting in thrilling firefights that exceed the capabilities of conventional arcade systems. The developers utilized this mechanical basis to design intricate combat sequences, allowing skilled players to use an impressive collection of powerful weapons.

Infinite Onslaught centers around an age-old tale of revenge. Gamers take on the role of Matt Johntrix, a seasoned soldier deceived during a clandestine mission. Driven by his unyielding thirst for justice, he charges through hordes of merciless adversaries. This journey is illustrated in a unique, cartoonish style that seamlessly blends intense action sequences with humorous moments. The story unfolds in animated scenes, reinforcing the game’s bold visual design, which combines gritty settings with spectacular explosions.

A New Era For Retro Gaming

The user-friendly Keyboard Basher technology presents a wide range of intriguing applications beyond just one game. As demonstrated by Bonkers Builders, this technology can operate on mobile devices even through foldable keyboards, showcasing its adaptability. Moreover, although the patent is pending, the studio grants open-source access to this technology for non-commercial purposes. This means any developer working on free games can incorporate the system, having full control over key assignments and screen zones. This liberal move could ignite the creation of a whole new category of games centered around these groundbreaking control methods.

In traditional arcade games, the toughness was intentionally heightened to make people keep inserting coins, but Infinite Onslaught prioritizes raw talent. As Prou explains, “If you’re skilled enough, you can conquer the game using just your ten fingers.” This approach emphasizes mastery over endurance, with every design element pushing players towards genuine challenge through intricate details rather than artificial obstacles.

As a gamer, I can’t help but marvel at how the forward-thinking approach of this development team has breathed life into Infinite Onslaught. It feels like we’re not just playing an updated version of classic arcade shooters; it’s as if we’ve stepped into a whole new era.

Coming Soon

When the game officially releases on Steam during Q2 2025, gamers will initially experience a demo showcasing three complete levels. This phased introduction, accessible on both PC and Mac platforms, underscores our faith in the game’s fundamental mechanics while mirroring the shareware era of gaming history.

It’s clear that the revival of this project stems not just from nostalgia, but from a heartfelt enthusiasm. Every facet of it – its open-source nature, the technology, the blend of classic difficulty with contemporary accessibility – suggests that Infinite Onslaught is less about revisiting the past and more about connecting gaming generations.

For individuals who spent their younger days playing Operation Wolf arcade games by pouring coins in, or for those who regretted not having the chance, Infinite Onslaught aims to bring back that heart-racing experience with a contemporary touch. Although the light gun may be absent, if Bonkers Builders successfully realize their vision, players might find themselves so engrossed that they wouldn’t even notice its absence.

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2024-11-21 10:04