Dendama is looking to expand beyond Japan. On April 14th, Dendama, the sensor-laiden kendama with a digital interface, launched it's kickstarter campaign. The company aims to "gameify" the traditionally analog toy. It's an interesting concept, being able to battle anyone in the world through the app with out actually going anywhere. Very meta. TheDendama uses a coil sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyro sensor. The sensors recognize where the ball lands and can analyze the ball’s movement to identify different tricks on the spike and cups. The Dendama connects to an app, with several different game modes. One of the modes is essentially a timed ladder, similar to tetris where you can make your opponent "lose time" by hitting a trick first. Another is Dendama Occupy (Jin-Dash). Tap on the trick you want and complete it within the time limit to steal the spot from your opponent. Gain ground on your opponent to steal their spots away. Whoever is left with the most territory, wins. How do you feel about the idea of playing kendama digitally? Would it save you gas money, make new friends? Would you miss the unplugged, natural aspect of wood? Would you add it to your collection? Downspike has lined up an AMA with Yoshishiro Otani and Tyson Batino, makers of Dendama. Stay tuned and link up directly with them in the forums to ask them anything. Dendama aims to ship by year end 2017. Ask the creators here: https://www.downspike.com/threads/i-am-tyson-batino-from-dendama-ama.1659/
The concept is amazing, but I don't think I can imagine myself liking this dama. I feel like the novelty of being able to play other people digitally will quickly wear off with the trick limitations and having to use that actual kendama. It doesn't look bad, but I don't think it looks great either. I would love to see this dama put to a shred test. It looks like its made more for basic tricks, rather than any kind of advanced trick or combo. Put this technology in a REZ and it would be a different story.
Love the idea. Love how it could build the community and connect people in ways that they otherwise wouldn't be able to connect. However, seems expensive for what it currently offers. The question I'm asking myself is can I get behind the idea of this innovation, even if in its current iteration, it has limitations.