The beloved 1978 arcade game, Space Invaders, has a new place in popular culture thanks to the launch of a new branded smartwatch. Unveiled on Kickstarter, the My Play Watch takes inspiration from the iconic arcade game that captivated gaming enthusiasts in the 1970s and 80s with its space-age, alien-themed design.
Introducing the Space Invaders franchise
This iconic video game has worked very hard to ensure that it won’t be forgotten by today’s gamers. January 2018 was its most recent release, with Space Invaders Gigamax made available on the Nintendo Switch as well as the PlayStation 4. It was the first Space Invaders game to allow up to ten gamers to play simultaneously. More recently, the Space Invaders franchise has entered the world of iGaming, with a Space Invaders-licensed title becoming one of the go-to slingo games in the UK market, which is a fusion of bingo and slot machine dynamics.
Now, the Space Invaders brand is moving into the fashion wearable market, offering a fun and quirky alternative to premium smartwatches. With its playful design and accessible price point of just $60, it provides a unique and budget-friendly option for fans.
All there is to know about My Play Watch
This Space Invaders-inspired watch was designed and developed in collaboration with TAITO, the founders of the Space Invaders arcade cabinet game, and Floor 84 Studio. The smartwatch reimagines the iconic game for the wearable tech era. The device is fitted with a touchscreen of 1.86” in size. There are game-specific controls, which help to deliver gaming mechanics aligned with the original arcade version.
In fact, there’s a lot of the game which stays faithful to the O.G. title. This includes the world-renowned soundtrack and the visual effects. All of which have been given a little tailoring for a wrist-sized gaming experience.
Although the ability to play Space Invaders on the smartwatch is a huge perk for nostalgia-induced gamers, the device also offers fitness tracking and can monitor your heart rate on the go. It also includes all the essential smartwatch features you’d expect from a modern wearable device.
In terms of its design, it’s certainly something you won’t miss on your wrist. It can be purchased in bright red, yellow, or blue. This will appeal greatly to the retro gaming community, as well as those who are into their bespoke wearable technology.
How big is the fashion wearable tech market?
The My Play Watch underlines the growing popularity of the fashion wearable tech marketplace, which was valued at approximately $195 billion last year. It’s also projected to grow to almost $529 billion by the turn of the next decade. This equates to a rather hefty compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 15%, demonstrating the increasing demand from consumers for devices which fuse functionality with fashion sense.
The fashion wearable tech space encompasses a raft of devices, not just smartwatches. It also features fitness trackers, augmented reality (AR)-driven glasses, and smart clothing. All of these have been driven by technological advancements, increasing health consciousness, and innovations in the Internet of Things (IoT) environment. Further investment in materials and battery technology should drive adoption even further.