First reported here on Popular Airsoft last September 2013, the Overwatch Mobile App for airsoft and paintball players is now going for crowdfunding at Indiegogo to further fund its development. Aiming to achieve a funding goal of US$50,000.00, the project already has raised almost US$2,000 with still 30 days to go as of this writing.

Overwatch is not the first app that can be used by airsoft players but we can consider it to be one of the more featured apps that we reported about over the years. Overwatch gives players a mobile application which they can use to coordinate game play via communications and GPS tracking. It also has a "Commander" feature which is familiar to those who play multiplayer mode the Battlefield FPS video game. This feature allows a person off field to set the strategy as it he/she gets an overview of the field.

The app will require wireless internet connection through Wifi, 3G, LTE, or 4G to use the GPS tracking on the field. A bluetooth connection is required for voice communications, but if you have a radio, it is best to use it given the extremely short range of bluetooth as compared to good old radios.

Overwatch and its kindred apps that were developed before it have potential uses in the field in removing the "fog of war" and putting the FPS video game experience in the real world through airsoft and paintball. My worry though is that it is still problematic to use such app in woodland or open field games as mobile broadband connection is usually sketchy and bluetooth connectivity will be useless with players further apart.

But for urban and indoor use, this app can be brought to full use as there are more network connections that will be available due to more demand. Indoor skirmish site owners can also easily install Wifi repeaters allowing users of Overwatch to connect and play with its high tech features. Players will also be in closer proximity to use bluetooth voice communications feature.

Overwatch has more potentials beyond airsoft games and it can be used for security purposes too --- being able to locate your personnel and properly coordinate reactions to any incident. If you have other ideas that can be added as features in future versions of the app, then you can contact the developer via Indiegogo. But for now, if you want to give full support to have this app fully supported and improved further on, then why not try pledge your funding support at Indiegogo?