Show Notes:

How do we stay relevant in a world of Fortnite, TikTok, and YouTube megastars?

In this lively session from the 2024 VR Summit, a cross-generational panel explores how arcades and entertainment venues can stay connected to digital-native audiences, from Gen Z to Alpha. What motivates younger guests? How do they view traditional arcade games, esports, and VR? And how can operators adapt hiring, marketing, and experience design to meet them where they are?

Featuring:

• Gregory Trent – Co-founder, Esports Arcade

• Bryan Severance – Developer, Spy Ninjas HQ

• Philip Steinfatt – Founder, Tower Tag

• Sergio Garcia – Virtuix / Omni Arena

🎯 Topics:

• How to attract and retain younger audiences

• The esports/VR crossover opportunity

• Gamifying staff roles & Gen Z work culture

• Marketing with influencers and YouTube IP

• Why younger guests demand more skill, less luck

• What actually works for Gen Z and Alpha, and what doesn’t

Whether you're programming an arcade floor or hiring your next team, this is the playbook for engaging the next generation of players, creators, and employees.

Show Notes

What separates a good VR experience from a great one?

In this deep-dive session from the 2024 VR Summit, legendary game designer Eugene Jarvis (Raw Thrills) shares the creative process behind Godzilla Kaiju Wars VR—a next-gen, unattended arcade experience inspired by cinematic storytelling and decades of arcade innovation.

A follow-up panel discussion featuring indie developers and operators adds valuable perspective on what defines a great VR game, and what operators should look for when evaluating attractions.

Featuring:

• Eugene Jarvis – Raw Thrills

• David Illes – World’s Beyond

• Joe Mares – Games Designer & former Jurassic VR Expedition dev

• Jim Bennington – Veteran operator, arcade buyer, gamer

Topics include:

• Experience design vs. gameplay design

• Why immersion is about sensory critical mass

• Framing, choreography, and the 30-seconds-to-fun principle

• Replayability, story branching, and player comfort

• What makes a good unattended game for arcades

Whether you're designing, buying, or operating VR attractions, this session is a must-listen playbook.

Show Notes

Is free roam VR finally ready to replace laser tag?

In this action-packed panel from the 2024 VR Summit, operators and tech providers unpack the rapid evolution of free roam, from six-figure installations to modular, DIY arenas with flexible tech stacks. They break down exactly what you need to launch and scale your own immersive experience on any budget.

Featuring:

• Mitchell Poythress – Rabbit Hole VR

• Shabeer Sinnalebbe – Synthesis VR

• Martin Holly – Striker VR

• McKay Christensen – Private Label VR

Topics:

• Standalone vs. PC VR: how to choose the right platform

• Budgeting and hardware options (including Wi-Fi 6E and Focus 3)

• Haptics, hardware, and hitting “sensory critical mass”

• Arena design, attraction strategy, and guest psychology

• Content switching, uptime reliability, and operator workflows

Whether you're building from scratch or upgrading your LBE experience, this episode is your blueprint for what’s possible now, and what’s coming next.

Show Notes

Is there a future for story-driven VR in a world obsessed with zombie shooters and coasters?

In this provocative session from the 2024 VR Summit, industry leaders unpack what happens when you focus less on interactivity and more on storytelling. They explore how emotional resonance, cultural partnerships, and education can unlock new audiences and business models for immersive venues.

Featuring:
Rod Findley – President & CEO, Immotion
Joel Newton – Co-Founder, CityLights
Nick Boyer – Co-Founder, CityLights
Kevin Williams – Director, KWP Ltd

Topics include:

• The power of IP and narrative in location-based VR

• Why seated VR is outperforming expectations

• New business models (rev share, no-CapEx, education bundles)

• Field trips, partnerships, and leveraging off-peak hours

• Why interaction isn’t always better—and when storytelling wins

In a world where couch entertainment reigns supreme, how do you get people off their screens and into your space?

This episode—recorded live at the 2024 VR Summit—dives into how location-based entertainment venues can broaden their reach and increase return visits by offering meaningful, social, and accessible experiences. Eldad Givon (Valo Motion), Rico Torres (Arts Entertainment Hub), and Nick DiMetteo (Pinnacle Entertainment Group) explore what really makes an attraction magnetic—and how to avoid costly assumptions about ROI, audiences, and technology.

🎯 Topics:

• AR, VR, and mixed reality: decoding the differences and appeal

• Social design and the power of “crowd-drawing” experiences

• Birthday party layers and marketing to both moms and teens

• Staffing, storytelling, and the hidden costs of bad ops

• The evolving role of TikTok, tournaments, and digital word-of-mouth