StrikerVR’s Arena Infinity Blaster: Advanced Recoil for Enhanced VR Immersion

Striker VR Blaster

The Arena Infinity Blaster aims to provide realistic firearm recoil for VR gaming, esports, and augmented reality experiences. 

StrikerVR, a VR peripherals company, introduced the Arena Infinity, a dedicated VR blaster designed specifically for immersive virtual reality experiences. The Arena Infinity provides high-fidelity haptic feedback, simulating various weapon effects such as single shots and chainsaw vibrations to enhance the realism of VR gameplay. Primarily aimed at VR arcades and entertainment centers, this wireless blaster allows users to take full control of their in-game experience, delivering a more interactive and physically engaging environment.

This case study explores the collaboration between StrikerVR and TITAN Haptics, highlighting the approach, technical implementation, and final outcomes that have elevated the user experience in VR gaming.

Reality Vs Possibilities

In virtual reality gaming, creating a convincing sense of firearm impact and a realistic sensation of kickback requires a delicate balance among mechanical design, motor power, and software expertise. Conventional vibration motors often lack the dynamic range needed for rapid-fire or heavy-impact scenarios, making it tough to replicate the sharp, forceful recoil that players expect.

Effective recoil simulation also hinges on precision in both timing and direction. These elements must align seamlessly with on-screen actions to avoid latency that disrupts immersion. Devices must account for the distinct feel, recoil pattern, and muzzle rise of different firearm types—pistols, shotguns, and rifles alike—each requiring its own nuanced feedback. Yet, higher-fidelity recoil systems often depend on larger motors or added weights, posing significant challenges when integrating them into lightweight accessories that must remain balanced and comfortable over extended use.

The Power of Immersion

Immersion and interactivity in VR accessories helps players lose themselves in the experience, making gameplay more captivating and memorable. When the in-game experience closely matches real-world expectations, users are more likely to return or recommend it to others. In esports, immersion can also influence performance—fewer distractions from awkward or unresponsive controls may allow competitive players to maintain focus. Realistic interactions often lead to favorable reviews, stronger word-of-mouth, and greater visibility on social platforms, all of which contribute to the broader growth of VR entertainment.

Inside the Arena Infinity Blaster 

StrikerVR’s Arena Infinity Blaster, powered by a custom TacHammer motor created by TITAN Haptics, brings a refined approach to VR recoil by pairing a high-energy impact mechanism. Designed to sustain extended play sessions in arcade environments, the TacHammer motor delivers broad-frequency feedback for both subtle single-fire actions and heavier automatic bursts. StrikerVR’s engineering team collaborated closely with haptics specialists to optimize the motor’s form factor, ensuring it fit seamlessly within the Arena Infinity’s housing without compromising ergonomics or reliability. By integrating adaptive recoil profiles for various in-game weapons, the Arena Infinity Blaster delivers a consistently realistic experience—one that merges hardware precision with software-driven nuance, ultimately broadening the realism and impact of VR firefights.

“Haptics quality is our highest priority. It is how we create the highest level of immersion for AAA content and VR experiences,” says Martin Holly, co-founder and vice president, StrikerVR. “This partnership represents our commitment to delivering the best products in the LBE industry.”

A High-Force and Customizable VR Blaster
  • Programmable Haptic Profiles: Developers can fully adjust recoil settings, creating custom feedback patterns and effects for different weapon types and gameplay scenarios.
  • Force Output: The Arena Infinity delivers up to 60 lbs of peak force, enabling realistic weapon handling and interactions in VR environments.
  • Speed and Responsiveness: With haptic feedback processed in under 5 milliseconds, the device ensures near-instantaneous alignment between on-screen actions and tactile sensations.
  • Battery Life: Operators benefit from up to 8 hours of continuous use, and quick-swap battery functionality helps reduce downtime in busy commercial venues.
  • Durability: Built for high-traffic environments, the blaster’s reinforced components withstand over 1 million trigger pulls before requiring maintenance.

The Arena Infinity has received positive feedback from both professional reviewers and VR enthusiasts. Steve May from Home Cinema Choice described using it as “hands down the best immersive VR experience I’ve played.” Similarly, Ben Lang from Road to VR noted, “[It has] the most powerful and responsive recoil that I’ve ever experienced,” emphasizing its versatile haptic effects across multiple firing modes.

The Arena Infinity Blaster sets a new benchmark for VR peripherals, offering customizable feedback, high force output, and durable performance tailored for commercial use. By leveraging TITAN Haptics’ specialized motors, StrikerVR was able to expand beyond simple vibrations, creating nuanced recoil profiles that can be updated or fine-tuned through software revisions. With the Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) industry projected to reach $15 billion globally by 2027, the Arena Infinity Blaster is a step forward into the future of augmented reality experiences, capable of supporting new content, weapon classes, and gameplay mechanics as the market continues to evolve.

 

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