We spoke to Azuma Abe, president of Dartslive Co., Ltd., to learn more about the future of the sport, and how the company is working to make darts a more fun, connected experience.
What do you think is unique about the darts scene in Japan, compared to that of other nations?
The background of darts is different in Japan to many other countries around the world, as you mentioned. In the West, countries such as the UK regard darts as a professional sport, centered around the main PDC (Professional Darts Corporation). In Japan, it is seen more as a mainstream pastime to enjoy in bars whilst socializing with friends. What is also unique in Japan is the ‘entertainment factor’.
Often, it is hard to draw the line between sport and entertainment, but with our background from SEGA and experience with gaming systems, we are able to combine aspects of traditional darts play with modern expertise, creating original games that also have internet connectivity. These allow for remote matches to be played between players whether they are in Tokyo or Hong Kong.
How do you believe technology is shaping the future of darts in Japan, and the wider world?
Technology-wise, we have many new innovations we are introducing, including systems that can automatically measure throwing speed and count scores. As well as this, we have new devices that can connect to smartphones to track throw data and keep records. With our latest machines, an embedded camera can also record footage of darts throws, allowing players to analyze their throws and keep a memento of the occasion.
Also, when organizing events and tournaments we have a behind-the-scenes system that allows for easy management of the event. Competitors can quickly enter their details in a casual fashion, with over 1,000 users possible at a single tournament. Just by showing their unique Dartslive card, they can automatically have their information and ranking entered into the system, allowing for matches to be assigned smoothly.
What role do tournaments and events play in your company’s outreach strategy?
There are a lot more fun aspects of darts entertainment that we can provide to customers, including a year-long league that allows them to gather and play for 3 months throughout the year. By organizing these ongoing activities, we hope to further improve the skills of players, build communities, and transfer the heritage of traditional steel darts to new areas. While some companies may be specialized in one particular business area, we aim to connect them together with darts acting as the ‘hub’ of the wheel.
