On September 2, 2026, the professional lighting industry gathered at the headquarters of Highlite International in Kerkrade, Netherlands, for the official unveiling of the Infinity Chimp G3. This landmark release event served as the debut for a lighting control platform designed to redefine the balance between professional-grade power and user-centric accessibility. The event brought together an international cohort of early adopters, Chimp G3 beta testers, long-term customers, brand ambassadors, and technical experts from across Europe, signaling a significant shift in the mid-to-high-tier lighting console market. As the industry moves toward increasingly complex integrated systems, the Chimp G3 represents Infinity’s answer to the demand for streamlined workflows without sacrificing the depth of control required for modern live productions.
A Strategic Launch in the Heart of European Distribution
The choice of Kerkrade for the launch was symbolic of Highlite International’s role as a central pillar in the European event technology landscape. The company’s headquarters provided a comprehensive backdrop for the event, allowing attendees to move seamlessly between formal presentations and practical demonstration zones. The atmosphere was one of professional anticipation, as the Chimp G2 had already established a reputation for being a reliable "workhorse" console in theaters, touring rigs, and rental houses.
The event was structured to provide more than just a cursory look at the hardware. It was designed as an immersive "deep dive" into the ecosystem of the G3. By inviting the beta testers who had spent months putting the software through its paces in real-world environments, Infinity ensured that the conversations on the floor were grounded in practical application rather than marketing rhetoric. This transparent approach allowed prospective buyers and industry influencers to discuss the console’s performance with those who had already integrated it into professional workflows.
Technical Evolution: From Chimp G2 to the G3 Revolution
The Chimp G3 is not merely an incremental update; it is a foundational rebuild of the Chimp platform. During the primary product presentation, Infinity’s engineering and design teams highlighted that while the G3 retains the intuitive philosophy of its predecessors, it introduces a completely new software architecture. This new engine is designed to handle the increased parameter counts and complex fixture profiles common in contemporary lighting design, such as multi-cell LED arrays and high-definition moving heads.
The series is anchored by two primary hardware configurations: the Chimp Core and the Chimp Ultra.
- The Chimp Core: Aimed at mobile DJs, smaller venues, and rental companies requiring a compact yet powerful footprint, the Core provides the essential physical controls—faders, encoders, and a responsive touchscreen—needed for rapid programming and playback.
- The Chimp Ultra: This flagship model is designed for larger productions. It features expanded screen real estate, additional physical playback options, and enhanced processing power to manage more universes of DMX and more complex networking protocols.
One of the most significant upgrades discussed was the workflow enhancement. The G3 software introduces a more modular UI, allowing operators to customize their workspaces with greater flexibility. The "Effect Engine" has also been redesigned to allow for more organic movement and color transitions, reducing the time programmers spend on manual step-editing.
Chronology of the Launch Event: A Day of Professional Exchange
The event commenced in the morning with a formal welcome from the Highlite International executive team, followed by the "World Premiere" presentation of the Chimp G3. This keynote session outlined the development history of the console, emphasizing that the G3 was built "by operators, for operators."
Following the keynote, the schedule transitioned into a series of specialized technical seminars. These sessions were led by renowned lighting designers and trainers Wesley Houben and Patrick Schmelz. Their involvement was critical, as they provided an analytical perspective on how the Chimp G3 addresses current industry pain points. Houben and Schmelz focused on the "evolution of intuition," arguing that as lighting technology becomes more sophisticated, the console must act as a bridge rather than a barrier. They demonstrated how the G3 simplifies complex tasks—such as fixture cloning, advanced grouping, and 3D visualization integration—allowing the designer to focus on the creative aspects of the show.
In the afternoon, the event shifted to a hands-on format. Interactive demo stations were distributed throughout the venue, each manned by product specialists. This allowed attendees to test the tactile response of the buttons and faders, the latency of the touchscreens, and the speed of the software’s search and patch functions. A live show environment was also set up, featuring a full rig of Infinity and Showtec fixtures, where the Chimp G3 was used to run a synchronized light and sound performance, proving its capabilities in a high-pressure, real-time scenario.
Industry Implications and Market Positioning
The introduction of the Chimp G3 comes at a time when the lighting control market is bifurcating between ultra-complex, high-cost consoles and entry-level controllers that often lack professional durability. Infinity is positioning the G3 to occupy the "professional accessible" segment. This is a vital market for medium-sized venues, regional theaters, and educational institutions that require a console capable of running professional-level shows but with a learning curve that does not require weeks of specialized training.
For rental companies, the Chimp G3 offers a compelling Return on Investment (ROI). Its robust hardware is built to withstand the rigors of the road, while the updated software ensures compatibility with the latest lighting protocols (such as sACN and Art-Net 4). The backward compatibility or migration paths for show files from previous Chimp generations were also a point of discussion, ensuring that existing users are not left behind as they upgrade their inventory.
Expert Reactions and Community Feedback
The feedback from the attendees in Kerkrade was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the software’s stability and the hardware’s ergonomic improvements. Beta testers noted that the G3’s ability to handle high-resolution encoders made a significant difference when positioning high-end moving lights.
Industry experts pointed out that the Chimp G3’s success will likely be driven by its "community-first" approach. By maintaining an open dialogue with users and providing extensive training resources, Highlite and Infinity are building a loyal user base. The social aspect of the launch event—concluding with a networking session and a traditional barbecue—reinforced this sense of community. It provided a rare opportunity for designers from different countries to share tips, tricks, and "war stories" from the field, further cementing the Chimp G3’s place as a user-driven platform.
Future Outlook: LEAT CON 26 and Global Availability
The launch in Kerkrade is only the beginning of the Chimp G3’s global rollout. The next major milestone for the series will be LEAT CON 26, one of the premier trade fairs for live entertainment and technologies. Highlite International has announced a massive presence at the convention, with a primary meeting point located in Hall A1.
More importantly for prospective operators, LEAT CON 26 will feature dedicated training sessions in Hall A2. These sessions are designed to transition current G2 users to the G3 platform and to introduce new users to the system’s architecture. This emphasis on education is a core part of Infinity’s strategy; they recognize that a console is only as good as the person operating it, and by lowering the barrier to mastery, they increase the product’s market penetration.
The Chimp G3 series is currently available for pre-order through Highlite International’s extensive distribution network. As production ramps up, the industry can expect to see these consoles appearing on rider specifications and in venue control booths throughout the final quarter of 2026 and into 2027.
Conclusion: Setting a New Standard for Lighting Control
The release of the Infinity Chimp G3 marks a significant chapter in the history of Highlite International. By combining high-performance hardware with an overhauled, intuitive software suite, Infinity has created a tool that respects the technical demands of the professional lighting designer while remaining accessible to the broader market. The success of the Kerkrade event suggests that the industry is ready for a console that prioritizes workflow efficiency and reliable performance. As the Chimp G3 heads toward LEAT CON 26 and beyond, it stands as a testament to the power of listening to the end-user and evolving technology to meet the practical needs of the stage. For lighting professionals looking for a modern, powerful, and scalable control solution, the Chimp G3 appears poised to become the new industry benchmark in its class.
