What is Bullseye Blast? ICON amusement park halts SNIPER game amid backlash
The ICON amusement park in Florida where a teenager fell from a ride and died earlier this year has suspended a new sniper-like laser shooting game called Bullseye Blast amid criticism following a recent spate of mass shootings.
Riders of the 400-foot (122-meter) Wheel at ICON Park could play the Bullseye Blast game for an extra $5.95, shooting laser blasters at 50 targets placed along rooftops throughout the park. Officials said in a statement issued on Saturday, July 16, that despite the ride being "well-received" by customers, some criticized it following mass shootings at a July 4 parade in a Chicago suburb, an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.
ALSO READ
Who is Demi Minor? Trans woman who impregnated 2 inmates in women's prison moved to MALE facility
'Our jaws dropped': BBC has shocking pic of Prince Andrew that could SHAKE the monarchy if revealed
“Some non-guests and community members expressed that they considered the toy shooting device used to be insensitive,” the statement said. “The attractions industry has many similar games which use similar shooting devices, so that is what we were limited to when exploring the game. However, we believe that a device can and should be designed which does not offend anyone in the community.”
Meanwhile, park officials said they were looking forward to "leading this new innovation."
ICON Park in Orlando will “pause” its Bullseye Blast game.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 16, 2022
“Some non-guests and community members expressed that they considered the toy shooting device used to be insensitive… During the design process we will pause the current version of the game.” pic.twitter.com/L86Jmrs8Oa
Bullseye Blast has been removed from the park's website, which previously offered the following description of the game, “To get the highest score possible, players need to hit as many of these as possible with their laser blaster during the 18-minute ride.” Promotional photos showed riders pointing laser guns from the popular ride. However, the game sparked an uproar on social media over the past couple of days. While some blasted the ride, others scoffed at the park for suspending the game.
UPDATE: Facing criticism, Orlando entertainment district ICON Park is pausing plans on a “Bullseye Blast” game. pic.twitter.com/Bbu9rcfLlS
— Greg Angel (@NewsGuyGreg) July 16, 2022
The ICON park, located along Orlando's International Drive, has been shrouded in controversy since the tragic demise of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson of Missouri, who fell to his death from the Free Fall Tower earlier this year. It was later established that the teen was nearly 100 pounds over the ride's recommended weight limit, and his family has since filed a lawsuit against the park.
TOP STORIES
The tragic loneliness of Sheila Seleoane: Woman, 61, lay dead in her flat for TWO YEARS
The park unveiled the Bullseye Blast in a press release on Thursday, July 14. “The Wheel at ICON Park is the only observation wheel in the world to provide this amazing, new infrared technology, and effectively gamify and reinvigorate the experience to an entirely new audience of gamers,” the release stated. As reported by the New York Post, the blasters featured a scope and infrared beams to help players aim at strategically placed targets on rooftops across the park.
Speaking to the Orlando Sentinel, Dennis Speigel, founder, and CEO of International Theme Park Services Inc, said he was surprised that ICON Park executives did not consider the negatives before approving the game. “Seeing these simulated guns pointed down at you from these heights, from all these cars, just doesn’t seem like the right decision,” Speigel told the Sentinel on Friday, adding, “It’s a little bizarre.