LBX Collective

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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, Lucky Strike's purchase of Visalia Adventure Park represents a more puzzling strategic move, pairing a bowling entertainment company with an outdoor adventure park concept. K1 Speed continues its expansion by acquiring one of North America's oldest go-kart circuit, while Pinstripes has undergone a financial restructuring with Oak Tree Capital taking a majority stake.

Major entertainment brands are diversifying their offerings in fascinating ways. Round One is venturing into the food service sector with "Round One Delicious," a Japanese-themed food hall concept planned for locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Sega Corporation is returning to physical retail with a merchandise-focused store opening in Shanghai that will feature exclusive products based on their intellectual properties. Disney is responding to competitive pressure from Universal with new developments at Epcot Center, including "Geo 82," an adults-only cocktail bar.

The competitive socializing market continues to evolve with innovative concepts. Social Rivals has unveiled a projection-mapped mini-golf experience, Game Volt has launched "Hot Shots," a modern take on shotgun-based competitive socializing, and Dave & Buster's has partnered with UFC to create an exclusive competitive gaming experience. These developments reflect the industry's ongoing focus on creating unique social experiences that cannot be replicated at home.

Want to learn how to maximize your venue's private event revenue? Join the LBX Academy on April 14-16 in Dallas, Texas at Andretti Karting for specialized training on building and growing your revenue through group events.

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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 payment options for high-impact attractions
• Amusement Expo 2025 featured the most floor space and vendors in show history with stronger than usual day two attendance
• Beth Standlee shares her perspective as AAMA President on the success of educational programming with nearly 500 participants
• Adam Pratt identifies Raw Thrills' Top Gun Maverick as the standout arcade game of the show
• Chuck DeMonte provides six essential strategies for capturing first-party data to increase customer return rates
• Kevin Williams reviews the top industry openings including new social gaming venues combining multiple attractions

Join the LBX Galaxy to connect with others in the location-based entertainment industry. Stay tuned for Sound Off #67 with Kevin Williams coming out Tuesday, March 25th.

Want to learn how to maximize your venue's private event revenue? Join the LBX Academy on April 14-16 in Dallas, Texas at Andretti Karting for specialized training on building and growing your revenue through group events.

Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

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 and closures.

• Amusement Expo 2025 preview with details on days, events, and exhibit floor schedule
• LBX Academy announcement for April 14-16 focusing on growing revenue from group events
• Beth Stanley's Trainertainment expanding to become The Growth Pro Group with Candice Kelly as CEO
• Creative Works' nostalgic Route 66-themed blacklight mini-golf at Conroe's Incredible Pizza
• Meow Wolf's plans for a new "interdimensional arcade" in New York featuring Plotzo
• Adam Pratt's breakdown of new arcade games debuting at Amusement Expo
• Chuck DeMonte's website design tips for LBE businesses using Wix and Upwork
• Kevin Williams' comprehensive review of global venue openings including F1 Arcade, Five Iron Golf, and Battle Karts
• Discussion of Joey the Cat's unique skee-ball focused venue in San Francisco

Join us at Amusement Expo in Las Vegas next week where we'll be doing live vodcasts from the show floor!

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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 entertainment.

• Meta abandoning "VR" terminology in favor of "mixed reality" despite billion-dollar investments
• Need for better industry terminology beyond just "immersive entertainment"
• Consumer video game spending dropping to 2023 levels amid economic challenges
• Major IP brands from gaming, toys, movies, fashion, and sports invading location-based entertainment
• Netflix House opening 100,000 sq ft entertainment venue in Texas with custom attractions
• Raw Thrills releasing Top Gun: Maverick arcade game as Dave & Buster's phases out VR
• Cyberpunk 2077 becoming innovative mixed reality arcade game with projection mapping
• Amusement Expo 2025 representing transitional period for the industry
• Trade associations need to become more inclusive of new entertainment formats
• Successful shows require not just booth count but strong attendance and business transactions

Join us at Amusement Expo in Las Vegas where we'll be recording live from the show floor.

Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

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 globally.

• The return of Smash Putt in Seattle combines mini golf with provocative art installations in an adult-oriented environment
• Garden City Putt-Putt in Michigan and 2T's Family Entertainment Center in Pennsylvania both up for sale as established venues
• Clint Novak takes us on a Florida road trip to three unique venues including Atomic Claw, a specialized claw machine arcade
• Kevin Williams shares over 30 new venue announcements including F1's Las Vegas expansion and Level 99's growth
• Lucky Strike's acquisition of Vesalia Adventure Park raises questions about the wisdom of extreme diversification beyond core competencies

Don't miss Amusement Expo coming up March 17-20, and sign up for LBX Academy on April 14-16 at Andretti Karting and Games in Dallas, focusing on growing your revenue through group events.

Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

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 new immersive experiences and active entertainment platforms, such as SimWay's shooting simulator and HOLOVIS's tech-infused mini-golf. The presence of major players like SEGA and BANDAI NAMCO underscored a strategic shift towards integrating social entertainment with video amusement, alongside new merchandising opportunities in international markets. The expo reflects a growing emphasis on technology-driven attractions that stimulate audience engagement and revenue generation, suggesting lucrative investment opportunities in diversifying entertainment offerings. 

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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 PC VR solutions featuring advanced optics and eye-tracking capabilities. Additionally, competitive pricing strategies from new manufacturers, such as Play For Dreams, challenge established players like Apple, whose Vision Pro headset has underperformed against expectations. The EAG Expo showcased the expansion of the out-of-home entertainment sector, emphasizing social immersive experiences and competitive gaming, revealing a growing market for these genres. The rise of immersive displays and AI in everyday technology also points to an evolving landscape for consumer engagement. Furthermore, industry dynamics are shifting as companies like Google acquire essential talent from HTC VIVE, potentially impacting the VR hardware support ecosystem. Investors should closely monitor these developments across both shows as they reflect broader trends in consumer accessibility, competitive pricing, and technological advancement. 

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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 engagement 
• Evaluating shifts from small group to larger group VR setups 
• Examining notable company pivots into edutainment 
• Highlighting challenges in sustaining profitability in standalone VR venues 
• Insights into cross-promotion among various entertainment options 
• The significance of continuously refreshing content to entice repeat visits 
• Looking ahead at upcoming industry events and future market projections 

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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, reminiscent of art experiences like Meow Wolf, but with an interactive twist. We explore how unique installations invite interactive play, making it a hot spot for the millennial and Gen Z audience.

Furthermore, we delve into the thrilling rides of Chaos Karts – a real-world Mario Kart adventure designed with gaming principles in mind. Discover how these engaging experiences are reshaping the food and beverage landscape, and the conversations surrounding originality and trademark in the ever-evolving entertainment world. We also touch on the critical preparations retailers should consider for marketing strategies and their implications for upcoming events like the Amusement Expo International.

This episode is packed with valuable insights that entertain and inform, perfect for anyone eager to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in the LBE industry. Don’t miss out – subscribe now and join the conversation!

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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 shift away from traditional Virtual Reality (VR). Notable partnerships, such as DPVR's collaborations with LAI Games and the unveiling of Sony's high-end MR system, position these companies for potential growth in the immersive entertainment market. Meanwhile, Meta's focus on improving its augmented reality offerings and divesting from underperforming VR initiatives indicates a strategic recalibration in pursuit of profitability. Overall, developments in immersive technology, particularly the interplay of VR and MR, alongside new hardware acquisitions—like Google's strategic purchase from HTC—suggest an evolving landscape ripe with investment opportunities. 

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