In this second and final part of our specialist feature on the Immersive entertainment landscape, we look towards the deployment of AR, MR and SR technology. Defining the latest unencumbered immersive attractions and game systems, while charting the trends that are shaping the sector.By Brandon Willey

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey debate why free play arcade models are destined to fail, drawing on Kevin's experience at Sega World London where free play destroyed machine replay value. He provides compelling evidence that arcade machines are fundamentally designed for limited play experiences where skill progression req…

In this first part of our specialist feature on the Immersive entertainment landscape, we look towards the deployment of AR, MR and SR technology. Defining the latest encumbered immersive attractions and game systems, while charting the trends that are shaping the sector.By Brandon Willey

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show BW talks about his trip to Morgan's Wonderland, celebrating 15 years as the first truly inclusive theme park where everyone can play. We then dive into arcade gaming trends with the return of cocktail cabinets through Food Fight Frenzy and more! • Morgan's Wonderland features ultra-accessible attracti…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's episode of Sound Off with Kevin Williams, he and Brandon kick things off with the question: are we past the "spaghetti moment" where venues throw various attractions at customers hoping something sticks without truly understanding their audience or how to encourage return visits? • Many competitive socializing…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show, we explore the latest developments in location-based entertainment, featuring insights on facility openings, closings, and technological advancements shaping the future of immersive experiences. BW and friends break down everything from Area 15's massive expansion to the highly anticipated Harry Pott…

Investors should note the rapid growth of social entertainment, with a focus on gamified and AR-enhanced activities like darts, mini golf, and pool, exemplified by brands such as Flight Club, Puttshack, and Topgolf. Funding for innovative concepts like AR pool (PoolHouse) and immersive tech is rising, indicating strong investment interest. The golf…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's episode of Sound Off with Kevin Williams, we discuss how the LBE industry faces a critical turning point as single-attraction venues struggle with declining revenue and repeat visitation challenges. Topgolf's 12% YOY sales drop signals the urgent need for competitive socializing venues to diversify their enter…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show, we start off by taking a look at how summer passes are trending across the entertainment industry with Dave & Buster's, Main Event, Chuck E Cheese, Topgolf, and Pinstripes all offering various unlimited gameplay packages for summer 2025. • Dave & Buster's Silver Pass ($69) offers unlimited weekday ga…

This report highlights the rapid growth of Social Entertainment and Competitive Socializing, particularly in London’s immersive and experiential venues like Immerse LDN, F1 Exhibitions, and VR experiences. Investment is booming, with new openings at major hubs such as the O2 and Canary Wharf, and expansion of golf simulators and IP-based experience…

Sponsored by Intercard! We celebrate our 75th episode by exploring how today's amusement industry echoes the distribution patterns of gaming's golden age, with Asian developers increasingly working through Western distributors just as Japanese companies did in the 1980s. • Pac-Man turns 45, reminding us how Namco's "Puck-Man" was renamed and distri…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show, BW & Friends explore significant industry updates, from Pac-Man's 45th anniversary to the latest in location-based entertainment venues around the world. • Celebrating Pac-Man's massive impact with an estimated 300,000 arcade cabinets distributed during its prime • Michael Shelton promoted to COO and…

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin Williams & Brandon Willey kick off this week's episode by debating how traditional jukeboxes are becoming less visible in entertainment venues as karaoke and live performances gain popularity, signaling a need for reimagined approaches to music delivery in public spaces. • Economy watch shows tariff situations creating…

Sponsored by Intercard! Broadcasting from a hotel room overlooking Istanbul, this episode kicks off with a taste of Turkish hospitality as Brandon shares his experience visiting DOF Robotics HQ and sampling the Mediterranean's turbot fish. Then we'll continue exploring innovations in attraction technology and cashless systems that are revolutionizi…

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin and BW debate whether competitive socializing venues should embrace console gaming while exploring the legal pitfalls and nostalgic opportunities this strategy presents. • Console gaming in LBE presents a paradox - if an experience is achievable at home, what value does a venue add? • Facilities offering nostalgic expe…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show BW and friends explore innovative strategies entertainment venues are using to attract repeat visitors and stay competitive in today's market. • Dusty Planet in Rhode Island launches a space-themed mini-golf concept with custom 3D-printed merchandise and branded balls • Legoland Hotel California imple…

The 2025 Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) Expo underscored the Middle East’s rapid emergence as a global hub for amusement, attractions, and immersive social entertainment, drawing 300 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees. Key trends included a surge in active immersive and less VR experiences, with major launches from LAI Games, SEGA, a…

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin Williams makes a compelling case for reframing our industry as the "experiential business" rather than simply immersive or entertainment-focused, arguing that what we're truly delivering are positive experiences that guests are willing to pay for. • Global economic pressures from tariffs are creating significant supply…

Sponsored by Intercard! The latest LBX show breaks down significant trends and developments in location-based entertainment, from the importance of professional marketing to shifts in competitive socializing business models. • Amusement 360 event kicks off May 6-8, offering education, networking, and industry connections • BW loses it and rants abo…

The Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 and CinemaCon 2025 highlighted accelerating convergence in hospitality, social entertainment, and cinema, driven by evolving consumer demand for immersive experiences. BRE attendance rose 6% year-on-year, with optimism fueled by new concepts like Round One’s Japanese food courts and ongoing restructuring at major chai…

Sponsored by Intercard! Discover how a simple investment meeting blossomed into Uptown Jungle, a thriving family entertainment brand with ten locations across the southwestern United States. President & CEO Brad Collins shares the fascinating journey of creating a city-themed indoor playground that reimagines active play for children ages 1-10. Whe…

Sponsored by Intercard! Wristbands and smart tracking technology are transforming how guests engage with location-based entertainment venues while providing operators with crucial data on visitor behavior and preferences. • Super Nintendo World's wristband technology pairs with mobile phones to track movements and collect scores • Tracking systems …

The early 2025 entertainment industry calendar has been marked by a surge in trade shows and expos, underscoring rapid innovation and shifting fortunes in the Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) and consumer gaming sectors. Notable launches include Two Bit Circus’s “Dream Park,” leveraging Meta Quest 3’s mixed reality for immersive, “phygital” exper…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's show, we explore innovative entertainment concepts and marketing strategies including expert insights on escape rooms, arcade games, and maximizing crane game revenue from our guests Kevin Williams, Adam Pratt, Chuck DeMonte, and Justin Michaels. Lockbuster Video escape room transforms 90s Blockbuster nostalgi…

Sponsored by Intercard! The arcade industry is experiencing major shifts with Genda's acquisition of Player One positioning them as a dominant North American player, while new competitive socializing concepts like Pool House emerge alongside the Minecraft Experience's success and increasing AR innovation. • Rotation vs replacement - updating your g…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show we explore cutting-edge entertainment venues and emerging trends that are reshaping how we experience leisure activities across America. • BW recounts his recent visit to Dallas' Grandscape development showcasing numerous entertainment attractions in an impressive retailtainment destination • Includin…

In Part Three of the #StingerReport coverage: The Amusement Expo International (AEI) 2025 showcased key trends shaping the amusement and entertainment industry, with a strong focus on immersive technologies, competitive socializing, and strategic shifts in event organization. Mixed Reality (MR) and Augmented Reality (AR) innovations were prominent,…

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin and Brandon debate how overusing the word "immersive" devalues genuine experiences and creates false expectations in location-based entertainment. • Different experiences require different descriptors – not everything can or should be called immersive • Consumer expectations become mismanaged when marketing promises im…

In Part Two of the #StingerReport coverage: The Amusement Expo International (AEI) 2025 showcased key trends and innovations in the amusement and immersive entertainment industry, highlighting a resurgence in music games and evolving technologies like mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR). BANDAI NAMCO Amusement America emphasized its global …

Sponsored by Intercard! We dive into the seismic shifts happening in the location-based entertainment industry as tariffs create uncertainty and major acquisitions reshape the arcade and amusement landscape. • Examination of a poorly designed mini-golf addition to a bowling alley, highlighting the importance of guest flow and experience design • Ke…

In Part One of the #StingerReport coverage: The Amusement Expo International (AEI) 2025 in Las Vegas showcased significant shifts in the amusement and immersive entertainment sector, despite challenging financial conditions. Key trends included restructuring within major trade associations like AAMA and AMOA, the growing prominence of VR applicatio…

Sponsored by Intercard! The entertainment industry faces a critical turning point as venues struggle to update their brands and offerings in a post-COVID marketplace that looks dramatically different from before. • If you haven't started revitalizing your brand, it may already be too late for 2025 • Supply chain issues, tariffs, and warehouse limit…

The Entertainment Attractions and Gaming (EAG) Expo 2025 in London showcased key trends in the amusement and gaming industries, highlighting the growing influence of partnerships between Western and Asian manufacturers, such as TAITO and WAHLAP Technology, and the increasing penetration of music games like KONAMI's Dance Dance Revolution A20+. Nota…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's episode, Brandon Willey and friends examine how venues are transforming to meet changing consumer demands and economic realities. We open with a fascinating look at Holey Mackerel, a mini golf destination that has brilliantly evolved into one of Milwaukee's premier cocktail destinations. This case study highli…

Sponsored by Intercard! Golf entertainment is getting a major upgrade with Smash Swing's revolutionary approach to competitive, social play. Forget everything you know about traditional golf simulators where players take turns hitting – Smash Swing has created a multiplayer, multi-ball tracking system that lets everyone play simultaneously on massi…

Sponsored by Intercard! Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey examine the changing landscape of location-based entertainment with insights from recent industry events and emerging trends. • Five different golf simulation venues opening in Nashville, raising questions about market saturation • Red Engine (operators of Flight Club and Electric Shuffle) p…

Sponsored by Intercard! On this week's LBX Show BW and friends dive into the latest developments in location-based entertainment, exploring cutting-edge venues in Las Vegas and highlighting innovations from Amusement Expo 2025. • Touring adult-oriented entertainment venues in Vegas with Barry Zelickson from Fun Across America: Play Playground and S…

Sponsored by Intercard! A wave of mergers and acquisitions is reshaping the entertainment landscape. Herschend's acquisition of Palace Entertainment's North American operations brings together companies with aligned cultures and customer experience philosophies, potentially creating a stronger competitor in the amusement park sector. Meanwhile, Luc…

Sponsored by Intercard! The LBX Show explores the latest trends and innovations from Amusement Expo 2025 with an insightful discussion featuring industry experts Beth Standlee, Kevin Williams, and Adam Pratt about the show's successes, struggles, and standout attractions. • Intercard's Impulse Card Reader offers both game card and credit card payme…

Sponsored by Intercard! On today's LBX Show, we explore the latest developments in the location-based entertainment industry, covering upcoming events and innovative new attractions from around the globe. This packed episode features insights on arcade innovations, digital marketing essentials, and a comprehensive overview of recent venue openings …

Sponsored by Intercard! The term "VR" (virtual reality) may no longer adequately describe the evolving spectrum of immersive out-of-home entertainment experiences. Our industry needs clearer terminology to help customers understand different immersive experiences while major brands across entertainment sectors increasingly invest in location-based …

Sponsored by Intercard! In this episode we spend some time with mini golf with artsy installations like Smash Putt, traditional courses for sale, and themed venues reflecting this classic game's evolution into competitive socializing experiences. We explore how mini golf is being reimagined across America while major industry developments unfold gl…

The Entertainment Attractions and Gaming (EAG) Expo 2025 in London showcased the intersection of social entertainment and traditional amusement, highlighting key exhibitors and industry developments. Significant trends included the acquisition of SpringboxVR by SynthesisVR, enhancing their VR content distribution resources, and the introduction of …

Sponsored by Intercard! An invigorating exploration of the evolving landscape of location-based virtual reality takes center stage today. We delve into whether larger audience VR experiences stand a chance in the highly competitive entertainment market. • Discussing trends in large audience VR experiences • Analyzing profitability vs audience engag…

The CES 2025 and EAG Expo have highlighted significant trends in the immersive tech and entertainment sectors that investors should note. At CES, while mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies gained prominence, virtual reality (VR) appeared to be diminishing in influence, with private showcases indicating a shift towards high-end…

Sponsored by Intercard! Step into a world where entertainment knows no bounds. In this week's episode, we take you on a thrilling journey into some of the most exciting new attractions in Dubai, including the House of Hype and Chaos Karts. The House of Hype is a fusion of immersive art and technology designed to evoke nostalgia and engagement, remi…

Sponsored by Intercard! Today's discussion dives into the rapid growth and potential oversupply of competitive socializing venues, focusing on trends, challenges, and the evolution of entertainment experiences. We also explore key market players, the future of immersive gaming, and the impact of arcade revivals on consumer engagement. • Exploration…

Investors should take note of the significant trends and developments highlighted at CES 2025, which underscore a transformative year for the tech and amusement sectors amidst ongoing economic challenges. The event showcased industry leaders like NVIDIA, Sony, and Meta pivoting towards Mixed Reality (MR) and enhanced AI applications, reflecting a s…

Sponsored by Intercard! Themes of innovation, competitive tournaments, and marketing strategies dominate our latest episode of The LBX Show with guests Kevin Williams, Adam Pratt, and Chuck DeMonte. We announce live podcast plans for the Amusement Expo, highlight the importance of the IAAPA Global Benchmark Survey, cover the reveal of Chuck's Arcad…

Sound Off #62 - Rethinking the term Amusement, Tariff Implications, and More! Sponsored by Intercard! The episode explores whether it’s time to rebrand the term “amusement,” as the industry shifts toward interactive and experiential offerings. Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey discuss the implications of this transition, including the influence of …