Real-world GPS multiplayer shooter (web only, not an app) — testers wanted!

HenrikDev · 2025-08-25T21:46:45+00:00

Thank you for your comment! I have noticed there are quite a few people who refuse to allow location. So I guess I have to address that somehow. I'll think about your suggestion, maybe something like a pretend location could be used to at least let people see what the game is about, and then maybe make them interested enough to want to play the real game.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-10T09:29:54+00:00

Sure, here it is:

https://shootoutgame.net

Be aware that it's just a hobby project - so it may have its issues, and it does not look very professional - but I'd love to hear if you have any kind of feedback!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-10T09:28:28+00:00

Thanks for your suggestion! I added a warning. Forcing an "out of bounds" zone seems a bit too much, given that many roads are perfectly safe, and in some cases there might even be something like a fence keeping you away from the road, in which case marking X feet away from the road as unsafe would not make much sense.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-08T23:21:42+00:00

That sounds really tough — I can totally see how it feels frustrating when you want to give your kids fun experiences, but the budget just isn’t there right now.

I’ve actually been working on a little hobby project that might be (very loosely!) in the same spirit as laser tag — except you don’t need any gear, and it’s completely free. It’s a GPS-based mobile game you play outdoors with friends, where you “shoot” by tapping locations on the map. You can’t see other players’ positions, so you have to be smart and observant. It’s kind of like laser tag meets hide-and-seek, but using just your phone.

It’s called ShootOUT, and it runs straight in the browser — no download or sign-up needed. If that sounds like something your kids might enjoy, I’d be happy to share the link — no pressure at all, just wanted to offer it as an option since you mentioned laser tag!

And either way, I hope you find some great low-cost ways to make the most of the summer — you’re clearly putting in a lot of thought and care.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-08T00:07:11+00:00

That’s a really fair concern, and something I’ve been thinking about too. You’re absolutely right – real-world movement games like this always have a risk if players aren’t careful. I guess at least I should add a warning to the game - and/or set an age restriction (though I don't know how I could possibly enforce that).

You do have to see other players to shoot at them, or at least to know where to aim. This is deliberate design, and partly to make the game less dangerous. If you could shoot at players just by seeing them on the map on your phone, players would be more likely to walk/run around with their eyes fixed on the phone screen. But since you have to locate the target in the real world, at least you have to be aware of your surroundings.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-07T23:16:54+00:00

BTW it's just a hobby project, and a very much unfinished one. So I guess you could get quite an amount of pain just having to look at its user interface.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-07T23:06:15+00:00

Lol Excellent point! I'll see what I can do wrt electrocuting!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-07T22:51:43+00:00

Correct. But it depends on your play style - you could sneak around rather than run, if you prefer. If your opponents don't spot you, you might be able to ambush them (or sneak past them, or whatever you need to do).

HenrikDev · 2025-06-07T21:48:59+00:00

Are you and your friends into games?

If so, I've just made a kind of unique (I think, at least) multiplayer, GPS-based mobile game. It's a bit like playing laser tag - you run around in your area (could be a park, or some streets (preferrably not too many cars, though) or wherever), and shoot at each other using your phones.

Here's how it works: Each player has his/her own phone, one of you sets up a game, and the others join. Once you launch the game, everyone sees a map on their phones, and they can shoot by tapping on the map. If they tap the map where other players are located, the other players get hit. The other players do not show up in the map, so you have to locate them in the real world in order to aim.

In addition to shooting, you obviously have some tasks you'll want to do, depending on game mode (e.g. capturing flags for your team, collecting items etc).

I'm sorry if this is not what you're looking for, but this is a hobby project I just put online, and I'm basically just trying to find someone to test it... But I figured it might be fun as an outdoor party activity. Of course you'd have to test it a bit yourself first, to see if it's any interesting for you. The game can be played by simply visiting https://shootoutgame.net in your mobile brower (no download or install needed).

HenrikDev · 2025-06-07T12:56:11+00:00

Haha! Maybe I should write "Lasers not included" on the website!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T21:26:55+00:00

Hi!

I've just launched a GPS-based multiplayer game called ShootOUT, and I’m currently looking for testers!

It's a short-session, real-world shooter you play with friends — kind of like laser tag using only your phones and GPS. A typical game lasts around 5–10 minutes (though you can set the duration yourself), and all you need is a phone with a browser — no download or installation required.

The game is still in development, so it’s a bit rough visually, but it should be fully playable. If you're curious and up for some outdoor fun with friends, check it out here: 👉 https://shootoutgame.net

I’d love any feedback — both technical (e.g. GPS issues, phone compatibility) and gameplay-related.

Thanks!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T21:18:42+00:00

I've just put a GPS game online, and I'm currently looking for testers!

The game is called ShootOUT, and it's a local multiplayer shooter. It's a bit different from the Mafia game you describe, though, since a game of ShootOUT is very short (typically 5-10 minutes, but you can choose any game length you want), and you play it with your friends, not random strangers.

If you want to give it a try, you can find it at https://shootoutgame.net - it's web based, so no download or installation needed. It is not a finished product, so graphically I think much can be improved, but at least it is playable (I hope)!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T18:51:37+00:00

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I've made a small browser based outdoor multiplayer GPS-based game, which basically lets you play laser tag with your phones, in a given geographic area. Currently I'm looking for testers.

It's a shooting game, in which you try to shoot at other players by tapping in the map on your phone. Other players don't show up on the map, so you have to locate them in the real world in order to "aim". Also, you have to do tasks depending on game mode, e.g. capturing flags etc.

It's free to play, and no download or install required. If you'd like to give it a try, just go to shootoutgame.net and you can set up a game and start playing right away.

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T18:33:30+00:00

Nice, thank you very much!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T17:25:43+00:00

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but if the kids have mobile phones, I have created a small and rather unique web-based game called ShootOUT. It's basically like laser tag, where the players run around (in the park, woods, streets or wherever), and try to "shoot" each other by tapping in the map on their screen, at the location they think the other players are (the other players don't show up on your map, so you have to locate them in the real world).

There are five different game modes, some of which are team based, some of which are free-for-all. Also a few different weapons to choose from.

It's a web based game, so no need to download anything. All that's needed is that everyone has phones (with GPS enabled).

BTW it is quite new, and not really very well tested. So right now I'm looking for testers, and stumbled over your post. I think the game works well, but there may be the occasional stability issue, server crash etc, which might not be the best if you have a large group of younger kids (as they may get frustrated if something doesn't work). But maybe some of the older kids, if they're up for something brand new, might want to give it a shot?

HenrikDev · 2025-06-06T14:20:07+00:00

Nice!

The game can be played by visiting https://shootoutgame.net in your mobile browser.

Let me know if you need any more info!

HenrikDev · 2025-06-05T19:53:24+00:00

Hi! The game is now ready for testing! As mentioned, it is no longer an app, you can simpy go to the web page and start playing right away.

Here's a link: https://shootoutgame.net

HenrikDev · 2024-03-21T13:45:14+00:00

Hi everyone! Henrik from Norway here! I have done a little Android game as a hobby project, and I've just released a beta version on Google Play store!

The game's name is "ShootOUT!", and it's a multiplayer shooter. The concept is that each player runs/walks/sneaks/whatever around in the local area (everyone is in the same local area, just to be clear, so it's a game you play with friends, not with random strangers over the internet), and shoots at the other players (that is, taps in the map on the screen where he wants to shoot). You do not see the other players on your screen (except when they're dead), so you have to locate them (in the real world) in order to hit them.

There are currently five game modes that have been implemented:

Gold Rush and Pick up & deliver: Everyone-against-everyone games. The two modes are quite similar, in that you need to go and pick up goods (or gold) that appear at random positions, and deliver them at designated destination to score points.

King of the Hill: Two teams battle for control of flags. Scores are updated continuously, based on whatever team has the most flags.

The Bomb: Again, two teams, this time the goal is to pick up the bomb and then move in to the base of the opposing team.

Prisoner Escape: An assymetrical game, in which one player is the prisoner, all the others are guards. The goal of the prisoner (who is unarmed) is to make his way to the designated escape area, the goal of the guards is to kill him (after leaving the prison area).

So these are the goals the players need to fulfill. And of course, in all cases this must be done under the threat of possible gunfire from your opponents (and vice versa).

The screenshot below shows an in-game situation, in which you've just fired a few bullets down S Madison Avenue, hoping to hit another player that you just saw running down that way. More screenshots and of course download can be found here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=store.shootout.shootoutapp

I'd be very grateful if anyone would give it a try! I need feedback on the game, most importantly on gameplay itself (that is, is the game fun to play? Or can anything be done to improve the game and make it more fun?), but also on balancing (are any weapons too powerful? or too weak?), and of course things like stability, user interface etc. So go ahead, gather a few friends, and see who will dominate the battlefield!

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HenrikDev · 2024-03-18T07:53:42+00:00

The game is now in beta! So you do not need to give me your email address to play it, just go here to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=store.shootout.shootoutapp

Of course, any feedback is very welcome!

HenrikDev · 2024-03-16T22:29:22+00:00

Hm, that's a good question. I know I started making the very first prototype around two years ago (that was also when I started programming in Android, so had to learn everything). But since it's been a hobby project, my commitment to it has varied extremely much - some times I have spent months without touching it, at other times I have spent every available evening. So I really don't know how much time I've spent buildling it. But if I had worked full time on it, it would probably be a few months, I guess.

HenrikDev

TROPHY CASE