LBX Collective

In 2025, XR investment transitioned from consumer-focused to more practical, enterprise and mixed reality (MR) solutions, signaling a pivotal market shift. The AWE Expo highlighted a surge in commercial entertainment, immersive MR experiences, and innovative hardware like Virtuix’s upgraded OMNI One and new treadmill systems from XelerateVR. Notably, the event showcased a growing emphasis on MR in...

Sponsored by Intercard ! On this week's episode, we discuss how the amusement and entertainment industry is witnessing rapid evolution across multiple fronts, from new payment technologies to innovative venue concepts and strategic marketing approaches. • IAAPA Foundation launches FEC Scholarship 2025, offering $2,500 to cover travel, expo, and education expenses for qualified students and in...

The Licensing Expo 2025 highlighted significant trends shaping the future of location-based entertainment and retailtainment, with a strong emphasis on IP-driven experiences. Brands like UNIS showcased their ‘emoji Planet,’ illustrating how physical venues support licensing success, while resurgence in crane machines with licensed merchandise (“Crane Zones”) points to innovative retail engagement....

Sponsored by Intercard ! On our latest episode, join Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey as they discuss the location-based entertainment industry's paradox of economic uncertainty alongside aggressive expansion, with Merlin and Six Flags reporting 3% attendance declines while Netflix and Universal announce ambitious new venue plans. Chuck E. Cheese demonstrates strategic brilliance with their...

Sponsored by Intercard ! On this week's show, Brandon is joined by Kevin Williams and Adam Pratt for a special Guest Gab review of the Bowl Expo 2025 experience, examining the state of the bowling industry and the growing influence of competitive socializing on traditional bowling centers. The future of bowling centers depends on embracing tech innovations and diversified entertainment offeri...

The amusement and attraction sector is experiencing a dynamic shift towards social and immersive entertainment, driven by significant developments in the Middle East, notably Saudi Arabia, and the broader MENA region. The recent SEA’25 Expo highlighted burgeoning investment, including new FEC openings in Qatar, and major projects like Disney’s planned theme park on Yas Island, signaling a strategi...

At Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo 2025, key trends highlight a shift in immersive technology investments amid global trade tensions. While VR remains present, its dominance has waned compared to previous years, with exhibitors like Movie Power and Oculeap showcasing scaled-up VR attractions and multiplayer experiences using PICO headsets. Notably, Chinese companies are pioneering mixed real...

Sponsored by Intercard ! On this week's episode, Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey kick things off with a discussion on the critical importance of guest experience design in entertainment venues and how thoughtful layout, theming, and competition can boost revenue by 30-50% compared to simply clustering machines around power sockets. • Research shows many operators leave significant money on...

Sponsored by Intercard ! On this week's show we catch up on all the news we missed over the last two weeks and take a Road Trip with Clint Novak to 3 awesome venues in Denver, Colorado.  On Open & Shut, Kevin Williams highlights the top 15 from over 40 venue openings in the past two weeks. • Battle Carts opens their 51st UK facility, using over 40 projectors and 12 electric carts in the v...

The Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo (AAA) 2025 in Guangzhou highlighted key industry trends, notably the surge in skill-based and multi-player experiences. Innovative offerings included Chinese manufacturers showcasing new wave crane machines, multi-screen racing simulators like ‘Neon Rush’ and ‘Wangan Midnight: Speed Ignition,’ and a focus on four-player shooter and ride platforms such as A...

Sponsored by Intercard ! On this week's Sound Off, Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey discuss the latest trends shaping location-based entertainment, from Netflix's ambitious physical venues to the return of augmented reality glasses in LBE spaces.  • Digital crossover technologies like Capcom's MonsterGate experience using AR headsets to create immersive environments • Economic indi...

Rapid evolution of XR within the entertainment sector, with increased capital flowing into augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) applications, particularly in location-based entertainment (LBE). Notable innovations include immersive AR experiences at global events like Kansai Expo and AR theme parks utilizing headsets like Meta Quest 3 and HoloLens2, alongside holographic attractions by En...

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. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

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 requires additional credits. • Genda continues...

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. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

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 attractions including wheelchair-compatibl...

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 venues are experiencing sales dow...

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 Potter pinball machine from Jersey Jack. •...

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 simulation sector shows high demand but also vola...

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 entertainment offerings beyond their core at...

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 gameplay with 10% off food •...

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 experiences. Market challenges include some operator restruc...

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 distributed by Midway in the U...

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 Executive Vice President at I...

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 uncertainty for merchandise and prize d...