Urinal video game makes big splash

A screenshot from Sega's Toylet game

Japanese video game maker Sega is planning global expansion for a urinal video game that has proved a success in pubs across Japan.

Players in the Toylet game target their urine at a sensor inside the toilet, which measures volume and speed, with software then matching that to progress in a selection of five video games in a console mounted at the top of the urinal.

"At first, we thought it would really be only young people who would like this kind of game. But . . . we're seeing this phenomenon where people are enjoying playing with it, regardless of age," said Hirotaka Machida, the console's lead producer.

At 150,000 yen (€1,500) for a single unit, Mr Machida said the original plan had been to avoid the mass market, but tests in pubs and restaurants showed it had broad appeal.

An infra-red device cuts off play if gamers stray too far from the urinal, reducing the amount of mess, according to Sega, making it a hit with pub managers as well.

Toilet humour and raunchy gags are a staple of variety shows in Japan where Toylets were rolled out on general release.

Reuters