Sound Off #103 – The 12 Trends of 2025, Children IP Collab Misses, and more!

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"Sound Off" with Kevin Williams
"Sound Off" with Kevin Williams
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Sponsored by Intercard!
Sponsored by Alan-1!

On this week’s show we argue for a clean break from the isolating nature of VR to the more social interactive XR, trace the fallout from streaming and retail shakeups, and spotlight where IP-driven venues thrive or falter. From Universal’s UK greenlight to the rise of challenge rooms, the throughline is simple: design for people together. Finally, we wrap the show with a 2025 trend roundup!

• why shared XR experiences beat VR isolation
• Warner-Netflix dynamics and Paramount’s options
• Arcade1Up assets shift to Basic Fun!
• Brighton Pier Group divests parks and mini golf chain
• Mattel’s water park push and IP limits
• Round1 revenue parity raises questions
• Universal Studios Great Britain approval and timing
• Nickelodeon venue closure in Spain
• branded IP collabs that miss the mark
• connected tournaments and revenue sharing trends
• Disney’s Sora deal and AI implications
• United XR takeaways across VR, AR, hygiene, and AI
• immersive simulators replacing VR pods
• mall arcades return with Gen Z demand
• Genda’s fast global expansion
• escape and challenge rooms scale with hospitality
• cinema struggles and the cinetainment bet
• brand reinvention at Chuck E. Cheese
• transmedia and LBX as the new north star
• lessons from openings, closures, and debt pressure

About the author

Brandon Willey

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The LBX Collective aims to inform and educate, create opportunities to connect with industry peers, and to spur collaboration, discourse, and cross-pollination of ideas in the location-based entertainment and experience industry.

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