A south London bar has installed a hands-free video game in its urinals, controlled by the player’s stream of pee.
Male visitors to the Exhibit bar in Balham will be able to play one of three games – one’s a quiz game called ‘Clever Dick’ – that test the accuracy of their aim. Moving their stream left and right controls the on-screen movement.
The game’s designers – Captive Media – say that they’ve built in the ability to post scores on an online loeader board and on Twitter in an attempt to exploit men’s ‘innate competitiveness’.
The bar’s owners presumably aren’t too worried about increased cleaning costs. They’re hoping to improve business by using the screens to carry promotions for the bar’s offers, specials and forthcoming events.
A four-month trial in a Cambridge bar, says Captive media, showed that Captive Media boosted footfall, created local buzz and had a significant impact on sales.
“It’s taken three years of research and development to get to this point,” says Captive Media director Mark Melford. “The reaction to the units so far has been incredible – it’s just so much fun.”
Early next year, the company hopes to roll out the urinals in more bars across the country.
“We already had a huge amount of interest in the units from bars, pubs, exhibition centres and retail outlets across the country and overseas – even though we’ve been trying to keep a lid on it,” says Captive Media cofounder Gordon MacSween.
“It’s a tough time for bars and pubs currently. This product offers customers something fun, and unlike anything they’ve seen before. Those are two good reasons to go out for a drink at a time when so many are opting to stay in.”
