Jun 16, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, live events and brand activations are constantly evolving to create deeper, more meaningful audience engagement. Leading the charge in merging physical activity with immersive technology is NXT Interactive, a creative tech agency redefining how people experience sport and gaming in real time.
By fusing motion tracking, sensor technology, and interactive design, NXT Interactive has developed cutting-edge games like “Kick to Win” and “Smash. Count. Repeat”—each tailored for high-energy, high-participation brand activations in markets such as Singapore, Australia, and the UAE. These games have proven to be more than just fun—they’re immersive tools for engagement, storytelling, and brand recall.
Kick to Win: Turning AFL into a Motion-Controlled Experience
“Kick to Win” is a gesture-controlled Australian Football League (AFL) game powered by Microsoft Kinect. Created for Chemist Warehouse’s AFL partnership activations, it gave fans of all ages the chance to kick goals without a ball or a field—just movement, motion tracking, and a lot of fun.
Participants step in front of a large screen where Kinect sensors track their lower-body gestures. As they simulate kicking motions, their actions are mirrored on screen, propelling virtual footballs toward the goal. The game’s intuitive controls, short rounds, and competitive setup make it instantly accessible.
Why It Stood Out:
No controllers needed – Users played hands-free, making it friendly for kids, adults, and even first-timers.
Multiplayer support – Two players could compete head-to-head, boosting excitement and social interaction.
Rapid game loops – With 60-second rounds, it kept queue lines moving while delivering replay-worthy fun.
Instant feedback – Visual effects and live score updates made every kick exciting, even for spectators.
Behind the scenes, “Kick to Win” runs on a high-performance PC with Kinect motion tracking, a 55-inch display, and immersive audio—all tied together with a Unity 3D game engine. The result is a seamless, responsive, and portable game that’s been a massive hit at sports events and retail activations alike.
Smash. Count. Repeat: Redefining Reflex Games with Sensor Tech
In another innovative move, NXT Interactive developed “Smash. Count. Repeat,” a sensor-based handball game also created for Chemist Warehouse. The idea? Smash a ball against a marked zone as many times as possible within the countdown, while the system records every hit with laser precision.
Using LiDAR sensors, microcontrollers, and custom-fabricated panels, this game captures real-time motion and translates physical smashes into points. It’s fast, satisfying, and surprisingly addictive.
What Made It Work:
Real-time feedback – Players saw their scores update instantly on a digital display, motivating them to keep smashing.
Low barrier to entry – Anyone could walk up, understand the game within seconds, and jump right in.
Reflex-based challenge – While simple to learn, the game challenged hand-eye coordination and quick response times.
Custom fabrication – The hardware was durable, portable, and designed to handle high-traffic environments.
Built for high participation and quick turnarounds, “Smash. Count. Repeat” was ideal for retail stores, public activations, and fan zones across Australia, Singapore, and the UAE. The game’s energy and simplicity ensured crowds kept coming back for more.
Why These Games Matter in Today’s Event Landscape
Both “Kick to Win” and “Smash. Count. Repeat” show how brands can leverage technology to build active, participatory experiences that go beyond digital screens. In a time when audience attention is fragmented, these installations create moments of joy, competition, and memory-making—all tied back to the brand.
Here’s why they’re winning in markets like Singapore, Australia, and the UAE:
Immersive, hands-on interaction increases time spent with a brand.
Social and competitive gameplay encourages group participation and sharing.
Technology-powered accuracy and visuals elevate brand perception.
Easy-to-install systems make them ideal for malls, stadiums, expos, and roadshows.
