Kevin Williams

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... As we play catchup on the news that has taken place while we have been on the road, we start this coverage with the events that took place as we move into the later part of 2024 – and leading the charge is the European consumer videogame blowout. AI Constructed Brief The 2024 Gamescom and GTI-China events highlighted significant shifts in the gaming and amusement technology landscape, with key observations for investors: Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are experiencing market restructuring, marked by reduced exhibitor presence and cautious industry investment. Sony's PlayStation VR 2 platform faces challenges, including price increases and speculation about potential hiatus, while Chinese manufacturers are pivoting towards motion-based VR experiences with a focus on passive ride attractions. The events revealed a cooling consumer enthusiasm for VR. The market appears […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Continuing our coverage of the “Eatertainment” sector and its growing impact on the market, we look at the involvement in the Social Entertainment aspect of the business and the need by the market to expand into new territories. At the same time, we look towards the Theme Park and Resort sector, and how changes in branding and the movie sector are reflected in changing business conditions. AI Constructed Brief Imbiba-backed Clays secured £6m in new investment to support expansion, with plans to open its first regional venue in Birmingham, UK. The digital clay pigeon shooting concept is poised for significant growth. Another Imbiba-supported chain, F1 Arcade, announced plans to roll out 30 venues in the US over 5 years, partnering with D-BOX for haptic technology. Sixes Growth, a new cricket-themed venture, raised […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... The explosion in developments and new openings in the Social Entertainment sector have been immerse in recent months. The interest in what has been defined as “Competitive Socializing” has only been disrupted by the upheavals that are impacting the “Eatertainment” sector. In the first of a two-part report on these developments, we look at the reality of falling revenues and the restructuring of the business currently underway. AI Constructed Brief The "Eatertainment" sector is facing significant challenges due to inflation and declining sales, with various chains like Dave & Buster's and Topgolf reporting drops in same-store sales. Dave & Buster's saw a 5% decrease earlier this year but rebounded with a 2.5% revenue increase in Q2 2024, supported by facility renovations and new openings. In contrast, Topgolf reported an 8% decline in […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... While the bowling industry and even the Japanese leisure sector all get their chance to shine in the sun, we see the realities of how social entertainment is impacting the sectors from bowling scene, alongside the Japanese market’s need for reinvention and investment towards its new future. Reflecting a momentum in the evolving leisure entertainment sector before the holidays and the rest of the years expected surprises. AI Constructed Brief The International Bowl Expo (IBE) 2024, held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, CO, marked a significant gathering for the bowling and amusement sectors, celebrating its 92nd anniversary. The event highlighted a shift towards social entertainment, with exhibitors showcasing innovative bowling technologies – such as QubicaAMF's 'NeoVerse' and Brunswick's 'SyncOne' media platform. The focus was on creating engaging experiences, such as […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... A cacophony of amusement and attraction events continued in the run into Summer. The Cinema scene in Europe is in the spotlight, while the continued swirling of mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring impact the market, seeing major developments for well-known corporate brands in the sector and beyond. AI Constructed Brief CineEurope 2024, held in Barcelona June 17-20, marked a pivotal moment for the European cinema industry amidst a challenging box office landscape. The 33rd edition of this annual convention, produced by The Film Expo Group and officially associated with the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), brought together major, regional, and independent cinema exhibitors to showcase upcoming films, discuss industry trends, and explore technological innovations. Despite recent box office disappointments, the event highlighted the industry's resilience and adaptability, with a focus on diversification strategies […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... We continue to catch up on the developments in the sector impacting entertainment and leisure experiences. We look at the impact the current consumer videogame upheavals are having on the market, and then look at how consumer VR and MR are weathering the storm. AI Constructed Brief The video game industry is experiencing significant upheaval due to mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring, with major publishers like Take-Two reporting record losses and studios like Fall Damage and Phoenix Labs facing layoffs and closures. The B2C game media landscape is also shifting, with IGN acquiring Gamer Network's brands and speculation about further consolidation. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Microsoft is considering a $16 billion acquisition of Valve Corporation, which could have far-reaching implications for the PC gaming and VR sectors. The "Videogame Apocalypse" is a term used […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... While many have been on the road, attending a chaotic mix of international trade events, the aspects of the entertainment business have seen many developments, some fueled by the M&A conditions, as well as the explosion in new trends in the market. We attempt to chart these developments. Competitive Socializing Bonanza AI Constructed Brief Australian mini-golf brand Holey Moley is expanding into the US market, with plans to open three new locations in Denver, Austin, and San Francisco in 2024. The expansion is being led by Funlab, the parent company that owns Holey Moley and other competitive socializing concepts. Funlab recently received investment from private equity firm TPG Capital, which will help fuel the brand's growth in the US. The news comes as other competitive socializing and "eatertainment" concepts like TOCA Social, […]

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Continuing the extensive coverage of the May and June amusement and attraction scene, with our Bangkok coverage of the IAAPA Expo Asia (IAAPA-Asia’24). The Asian Attraction Expo Event (Part 2.) The rest of the IAAPA-Asia’24 show was a mix of technology, services and developers. As has become the case, the proximity of the IAAPA-Asia event to the Chinese sector allowed a strong showing of VR developers who would not normally frequent the Orlando or European trade events and offers a great snapshot of investment – especially following the observations from the AAA’24 show (previously covered by The Stinger Report). Chinese VR on display included that from exhibitor FunInVR, showing their ‘VR Battleship’ – a passive multi-rider system, and their ‘360’ VR Simulator’ – another passive inverted ride experience, powered by Chinese curated […]