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The LBX Show #92 - Rerun: Annual Predictions Episode 2026!
Blog classic
#1236 – China Entertainment Future War-plan
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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 ACE’s ‘Wild Hunter’ and FlameStone’s ‘Thunder Attack.’ The show underscored the rising prominence of competitive, skill-based gaming, with Chinese firms increasingly introducing original designs and proprietary IP, exemplified by SNK's return with ‘King of Fighters’ cabinets. Additionally, the event reflected a growing preference for immersive, multi-player and VR experiences, alongside a burgeoning market for crane and prize machines, despite ongoing scrutiny over their fairness and skill reliance. Overall, AAA’25 signals a rapid evolution towards more […]
#1235 – Mixed Reality Entertainment Investment
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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 Enklu. However, the consumer VR landscape faces turbulence, exemplified by Meta’s shift away from VR hardware development toward AR/MR, a move driven by declining Quest sales and substantial financial losses. Microsoft’s discontinuation of HoloLens and Mojang’s removal of VR support from Minecraft underscore the sector’s challenges. Meanwhile, Asia’s amusement industry remains dynamic, with major expos in China revealing a focus on digital tech, IP-driven attractions, and the integration of VR/AR innovations. Overall, the trend indicates […]
Virtual Arena #21 – The Shared Phygital Landscape – Part 2
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... 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. Concluding this features’ look at the key applications, and those looking to rollout experiences and attractions based on both encumbered and unencumbered augmented technology creating a “Phygital” (physical element married to digital representation) playscape. We now move towards the projection and display applications gaining ground. 5. Immersive Shared Realities Looking beyond headset and head mounted AR and MR technology, and in defining XR applications in the location-based sector, we also need to include Projection Mapping (PM), that falls within the Shared Reality (SR) catchment. Shared, as in that […]
Virtual Arena #20 – The Shared Phygital Landscape – Part 1
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... 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. The consumer sector seems to be pivoting away from overt VR applications, while looking at an AR and MR future for immersive tech. As always, the LBE sector has been first to embrace this XR category. This feature will look at the key applications, and those looking to rollout experiences and attractions based on both encumbered and unencumbered augmented technology creating a “Phygital” (physical element married to digital representation) playscape. First, we need to understand the difference between AR and MR. 1. Defining XR Categories - Augmented Reality (AR) [Encumbered] […]
Entertainment Social Arena #2 – Social Entertainment Round Up: Part 2
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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 volatility, with some closures highlighting sector fragility. Hospitality-driven “Eatertainment”, blending food, drink, and social gaming, is expanding globally, especially in regions like the UK and Middle East. Overall, social gaming integrated with hospitality presenting robust growth opportunities for investors seeking experiential revenue streams. Full ESA Report WELCOME – to the second Entertainment Social Arena (ESA). More commonly referred to as Social Entertainment, other terms have come to embody the environment […]
Entertainment Social Arena #1 – Social Entertainment Round Up: Part 1
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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 restructuring, exemplified by Immersive Gamebox’s recapitalization, while others like Illuminarium face venue disputes. Innovations include new immersive attractions, themed experiences, and tech-driven social games, signaling a dynamic, evolving sector with strong investor interest driven by high visitor engagement and scalability opportunities. Full ESA Report WELCOME – to the first Entertainment Social Arena (ESA). More commonly referred to as Social Entertainment, other terms have come to embody the environment that blends hospitality, entertainment and social […]
#1234 – Active Entertainment Landscape
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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, and Chinese manufacturers, alongside a marked rise in “Competitive Socializing” concepts such as AR darts, interactive mini-golf, and social bowling. The event highlighted the region’s openness to direct Chinese imports despite shifting US policies, and showcased innovations in VR-based operational training, recognized for health and safety excellence. Strategic partnerships, such as WOG’s collaboration with INOWIZE, signaled intensifying competition in immersive enclosures. The opening of trailblazing venues like HUSHH in Dubai, blending hospitality with tech-driven entertainment, points to a […]
#1233 – Entertainments New Hospitality – Part 2
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... AI Constructed Brief 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 chains such as Topgolf and Dave & Buster’s, the latter facing a 9.4% same-store sales decline due to past missteps and rising competition from “Cinetainment” entrants. CinemaCon reflected a sector in flux: box office revenues remain pressured-down 11% versus 2023 and 50% in March alone-amid tentpole film underperformance and streaming disruption. Yet, the industry is betting big on technology upgrades (e.g., AMC’s global expansion of 4DX and ScreenX, Barco’s HDR laser projectors) and experiential diversification, including partnerships and competitive socializing. The […]
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