ShootOut: who shoots first, shoots twice!

Main Menù
Training
Shooting
Reload the bullets
Score System: Targets
Inventory
Poster

Inspiration

ShootOut is inspired by three worlds we love: • Fast Draw, one of the fastest sports in existence, where milliseconds decide the winner. • Arcade shooters like Time Crisis, with on-rails action, scoring, and replayability. • Spaghetti Westerns, whose stylized tension and aesthetics define the game’s mood and storytelling.

We wanted to merge the adrenaline of fast-draw, the simplicity of arcade fun and the depth of overlooked stories from the American West.

What it does

ShootOut is a VR quick-draw and precision-shooting game where speed, accuracy and timing determine the fastest gunslinger in the West.

Players compete in three main modes: • Training – Improve draw speed, target accuracy, and scoring consistency. • Story Mode – On-rails missions with staged levels, rewards and narrative themes. • 1v1 Online Duels – Three-round quick-draw matches in VR or Mixed Reality with global leaderboards.

A unique scoring system rewards precision, reaction time and bullet management, with bean-can multipliers and accuracy bonuses.

How we built it

We built ShootOut using: • Unity + XR interaction toolkit, physics-based interactions, and fast-draw mechanics. • A modular score system based on speed, accuracy and bonus. where bonuses include combos and bean-can multipliers. • On-rails level scripting inspired by arcade shooters, divided into three stages per mission. • Stylized Spaghetti Western shaders, color grading and UI inspired by 80s/90s arcade cabinets and comic book panels.

Challenges we ran into

• Balancing realism and fun: Creating fast-draw mechanics that feel authentic but remain accessible and enjoyable. • VR timing precision: Ensuring millisecond-level accuracy for reaction time and scoring. • Story integration: Addressing sensitive themes (minority rights, discrimination, gender issues) respectfully while keeping the pace and tone of an arcade shooter.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Our fast-draw inspired shooting mechanic, rooted in the real sport. Tested and loved at Gamescom for turning the experience from a classic shooter into a speed-driven Spaghetti Western duel. • A fluid fast-draw system that captures the tension of real competitions. • A scoring model that feels arcade-pure but is easy to understand and master. • A visual identity blending Spaghetti Westerns with retro arcades and comic storytelling. • Leaderboards encouraging players to chase the “fastest gunslinger” title.

What we learned

• How to design VR mechanics where speed, clarity and precision are crucial. • How to handle inclusive storytelling: using fiction inspired by real events. • How to structure replayable content similar to arcade classics but suited for modern VR. • How much player engagement grows when feedback and scoring are immediate, readable and satisfying.

What's next for ShootOut: who shoots first, shoots twice!

• Expanded Story DLC with new historical themes and characters. • Mixed Reality combat: Making duels work both in full VR and in players’ real rooms without breaking immersion. • Networked multiplayer for 1v1 duels and online leaderboards. • Hand-tracking. • Cosmetics and unlockables earned through mastery, not microtransactions. • Deeper comic-style narrative panels integrating seamlessly into gameplay.

Turn ShootOut into the definitive fast-draw VR experience, where every millisecond counts and every story matters.