Page 39 - December 2020 January 2021

Immersive attractions creating compelling experiences
that are viable for different sized locations is now the focus TOPGOLF SWING SUITE
of much work in the industry. Corporations such as media Las Vegas
attraction manufacturer TRIOTECH have specialised their
Injection ‘XD Dark Ride’ so that it can support an audience ranging
from four to 40. A more film-based offering from the
company is their ‘Flyer’ – a mid-scale, compact iteration of
the popular theme park flying theatre.
Simworx is known for their media-based attraction
work, such as with their ‘Immersive Tunnel’ – a configurable
entertainment platform with motion and physical effects.
The company has also partnered with FrontGrid to
launch the ‘Paradrop VR’ experience which offers a mid-
scale interactive game-based attraction that simulates
paragliding over terrain.
The deployment of virtual reality attractions has
continued to gain momentum, while still applying
agreed hygiene and operation protocols, have seen the
deployment of VR based theatres into resort retail spaces,
such as the recently launched Immotion VR theatre at
the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, comprising motion
simulator and VR headsets.
We have seen the development of complete social
entertainment offerings, comprising an attraction
supported by an extensive social food & beverage (F&B) PUTTShack VENUE
offering, aiming at a young adult audience and creating Westfield,White city, London
a social experience atmosphere. Examples of these are
being parachuted into retail-estate projects and concepts
such as ‘Puttshack’ – mixing an upscale miniature golf
attraction surrounded by a highly stylised F&B element,
developed by Social Entertainment Venues. One of the
other concepts developed by this studio is ‘Flight Club,’
that re-invents the game of darts, into a total food and
fun mix in a simple package that fits a variety of spaces.
Creating a highly social fun and compelling venue mix
has seen the latest technology employed in this effort,
with operations such as ‘Electronic Gamebox’ – with
multiplayers interacting in groups with giant projection
screens within a unique enclosure for a fun and compelling
game night. The ability to offer a comprehensive multi-
player game experience in a single unit has been driven
not just by how social fun had evolved, but is now given
greater impetus by the Global Health crisis and how
“social bubbles” define many peoples entertainment plans.
Theme park attraction developer Falcon’s Creative,
have applied their amassed skills to create a Mid-Scale
attraction, developing their new concept the ‘GameSuite
Playstation’ using projection screens to create a multi-
player enclosure for social groups. This approach has
also been developed by one of the powerhouse venue
developers TopGolf, more famous for their social
entertainment golf shooting ranges; the corporation
has launched their ‘Topgolf Swing Suite’ – bringing their
own interpretation of the projection game enclosure
supported by a strong F&B element.
Even the traditional bowling experience is being
revitalised to appeal to this audience, with concepts
such as ‘Kingpin’, by Australian based Entertainment and
Education Group, comprising some 50 venues in their
territory. Or the number of ‘Strike Bowling Bar’ from
Funlab, (just to name two), who offer a MULE approach
and strong social F&B element.
Now with the freeing of department store and
multi-unit retail spaces, there is a need not only to
find replacement tenants, but also to build on a new
entertainment and hospitality opportunity for an
audience only now emerging from considerable isolation.
This audience is now looking for safe, fun and compelling
entertainment, all close to their homes.

DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 39