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Articles by Lee Wild
First Welsh Flip Out adventure park to open this weekend
Flip Out, the indoor adventure and trampoline park group, is set to open its first venue in Wales this weekend. The trampoline park, which has created 50 jobs for the local community, transformed a former indoor market and cinema at the Cwmbran Centre shopping centre into a new family entertainment destination.
Six Flags names Adam Boal chief procurement officer
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has announced the appointment of Adam Boal as its new chief procurement officer. Boal will bring extensive global experience overseeing billions of dollars in corporate spend, supplier partnerships, procurement technology and business transformation to the position, according to the North American regional amusement park operator.
Vex Solutions enters strategic partnership with TEEG
Vex Solutions, the Belgian attraction developer, has entered into a strategic partnership with TEEG, the operator of more than 300 entertainment venues across the Asia-Pacific, to roll out its flagship attraction PartyDash across flagship venues within its international network. “At TEEG, we are always looking for high-impact, innovative attractions that elevate the guest experience.
Timezone adds new FEC in the Philippines
Arcade and FEC brand Timezone has opened its newest venue in the centre of Quezon City, the Philippines. Located at Eastwood Citywalk, the new venue caters to families, teenagers and after-work crowds. Spanning 922sq.m, the venue contains a VR Paraglider simulator, Music Box Deluxe karaoke room, duckpin bowling lanes and billiard tables. Full redemption arcade Guests can also experience a full redemption arcade with a prize store.
Betson outfits Downtown Flavortown arcade for Face Amusement
Face Amusement and Betson Enterprises have partnered to deliver an engaging entertainment experience at Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown. The food and entertainment brand combines Guy Fieri’s signature F&B offering with bowling, arcade games and other interactive experiences. Betson worked closely with Face to supply arcade games and equipment for Downtown Flavortown locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, US, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, US.
Minecraft experience to open at New Jersey mall
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, a new immersive, interactive licensed Minecraft attraction at the American Dream shopping mall in New Jersey, US, will welcome visitors for the first time on November 13. Guests at the new attraction will be able to walk through multiple Minecraft biomes collecting resources, crafting items and battling mobs as they aim to help save the villager in the hour-long experience.
AVS to showcase latest attractions at IAAPA Expo
AVS Companies, the distributor of amusement and vending equipment headquartered in Illinois, US, will highlight several key attractions from its manufacturing partners at this year’s IAAPA Expo. Headlining its lineup of arcade games and attractions will be Blue Motion Games’ John Wick: Continental Pursuit, a first-person two-player arcade cabinet game based on the world of John Wick.
New Disney pusher from Betson and Andamiro to debut at IAAPA Expo 2026
Betson Enterprises will exclusively distribute Andamiro’s newest pusher, Mickey & Friends, in North America. The six-player, Disney-themed game will debut at IAAPA Expo 2026 in Orlando, Florida, US, next week. Featuring Disney’s iconic Mickey Mouse and Friends characters, the game combines coin-pusher gameplay with interactive mechanical features and collectable card rewards.
Bandai Namco prepares for Orlando
'This year we have gone even bigger,' says Anderson November 11, 2026
Fun-filled Floor is Lava set for debut
New redemption game from Sega to launch in Orlando November 11, 2026
Projects on the go in the UK
A retro gaming arcade has opened in Bristol. Eighty machines are in the Continue Arcade in Bond Street, using the former Art Club. It is being operated by brothers Oscar and Tobias Flowers as a franchise of the brand that is also open in Plymouth, Taunton, Swansea, Chichester, Tenby, Derby and Hemel Hempstead. And the same company has announced a retro arcade with 70 games in Sheffield, in Arundel Gate, using the former British Heart Foundation furniture store.
What to expect from XR
An open letter has been written to the international amusement industry on what attraction operators should expect from extended reality (XR) by Frontgrid CEO Matt Wells. The North Wales-based company is best known for its Paradrop device. Wells said: “Extended reality is creating new possibilities for the amusement and attractions industry. But as more systems enter the market, operators face an important question: which experiences will deliver more than an impressive first demonstration?
Hot summer blues for indoor play centres
Weather makes it a struggle to get people through the doors November 11, 2026
Play centre for disabled forerunner of a chain
Gympanzees will be the prototype for a dozen such centres November 11, 2026
Spanish virtual reality operator adds second site
The experience sees guests and groups take part in private free-roam VR sessions with a dedicated game master and wireless headsets. November 11, 2026
Lighting up the arcade
Monster Mini Golf's laser maze Lights that react to the player Lighting can do far more than set the scene; when it becomes part of the gameplay, it can transform the entire player experience. Unlike traditional attractions that happen to you, a Pixel Floor reacts to you, says Philipp Hacker, CEO of Pixel Games. Every step on the company’s interactive LED floor can change the game, putting guests in control rather than leaving them as spectators.
Immersive Ancient Egypt virtual reality experience opens in downtown Los Angeles
A new immersive attraction that transports guests 4,500 years into the past has opened in Los Angeles, California, US. Portal TVCity has debuted Horizon of Khufu, a virtual reality experience from Excurio that sees guests explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt. The attraction launched on November 6 and marks the beginning of a partnership between Pathbender Media Holdings and Excurio, and is located at the historic Television City Studios.
Jamaican redemption arcade adds second location
VR experiences, redemption games and simulators feature within the new entertainment venue. November 10, 2026
Bandai Namco to debut three major titles at IAAPA Expo
Three brand-new titles are set to headline Bandai Namco Amusement Europe’s programme of arcade entertainment at next week’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida, US. The lineup includes survival shooter Resident Evil 2 Arcade, anime-themed pusher Naruto Shippuden Ninja Coin Clash and Pac-Man Baller Derby, which the company describes as a first-of-its-kind basketball racing game.
Sega to debut Floor Is Lava at IAAPA Expo
Floor Is Lava, Sega Amusements International’s latest arcade redemption game, is to make its global debut at IAAPA Expo in Orlando, US, next week. Described as a skill-based game with a small footprint, Floor Is Lava challenges players to roll balls across a lava-filled playfield and aim for the target at the back to rack up points. Testing timing and accuracy, large gaps representing the lava stand in the way of players, with three independently moving platforms forming a safe path across.
Elev8 Fun delays latest FEC opening to install multi-level go-kart track
Elev8 Fun has postponed the opening of its latest large-scale FEC to install a larger go-kart track. Elev8 Fun Miami, which will occupy a former department store at the Miami International Mall, was originally set to open in late 2026, but is now targeting Q1 2027 after a change of plans. Previously, the venue was set to include a single-level go-kart track, mimicking similar layouts at the brand's Jensen Beach and Tampa locations.
LAI to debut new games at IAAPA Expo 2026 next week
LAI Games will debut four new products and unveil an overhauled version of an existing favourite at IAAPA Expo 2026. The company will showcase four new games, Asphalt 9 DX Plus, Moto Blitz DX Plus, Dragon Wall, and City Hunter, along with the redesigned Hypergrid attraction. Asphalt 9 DX Plus and Moto Blitz DX Plus both feature an 85ins vertical 4K display with motion experiences. Asphalt puts players behind the wheel of supercars while Moto Blitz features a number of licensed motorcycles.
Flight Club expands US presence
Flight Club, the social darts brand founded in London in 2015, has completed the opening of Flight Club Dallas, the brand’s second Texas location and 12th venue in the US. Opened in late October, the new entertainment venue spans an estimated 8,000sq.ft and features 12 oches, with up to 12 guests able to enjoy the interactive darts experience at once.
Kuwait entertainment brand celebrates fourth opening
Following delays in development, Whoopii Land’s fourth Kuwait FEC is now open. November 09, 2026
Florida entertainment venue to open second location
Live events, duckpin bowling and automated darts will headline Backyard Social’s new Lakewood Ranch location. November 09, 2026
New $900m Virginia resort and water park to open this week
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, a family-owned hospitality and entertainment company, will open a new US$900m resort in Spotsylvania, Virginia, US, on November 12. The resort will feature a 175,000sq.ft indoor water park, which the brand states is Virginia’s largest, as well as a 90,000sq.ft family entertainment centre, 13 on-site F&B outlets and more than 900 guest rooms and suites. Within the indoor water park will be more than 40 attractions designed for people of all ages and alibies.
Embed to showcase latest cashless innovations at IAAPA Expo
Embed, the cashless system supplier, is set to showcase its new Developer Hub and a number of other connected technologies at this year’s IAAPA Expo. Set to take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, US, from November 17-20, the Embed Developer Hub has been designed to simplify the customer journey. The self-service resource for developers includes information on the Embed platform, APIs and use cases.
Slick City names site for second UK indoor slide park
The UK’s second Slick City indoor slide park is set to open in Liverpool. Slick City’s newest site will be found at the Triumph Centre at Hunts Cross Shopping Park and is set to open in Spring 2027. It follows the brand’s first UK and European site, which opened its doors in Nottingham in March. Partnership with Activeon Launching in partnership with trampoline park operator Activeon, Slick City will feature indoor dry slides, air courts, interactive games and more.
IATP names QubicaAMF as preferred bowling provider
The recognition comes as part of the association’s Profitable Park Program and will see IATP members receive preferred pricing on QubicaAMF bowling equipment and technology November 09, 2026
Urban Air launch 46th Texas, US, adventure park
Bowling, trampolines, go-karts and soft play attractions feature within the adventure park. November 09, 2026
Smell of Immersion awards launched
Liam R Findlay is launching the Smell of Immersion Awards, which looks to recognise one-of-a-kind achievements in the little-celebrated area. November 09, 2026
Ventola Projects to collaborate with TwinkleTwinkleStar
Ventola Projects, the lighting and display specialist, has entered into a collaboration with TwinkleTwinkleStar with an aim to “transform traditional party rooms into engaging, revenue-generating attractions.” The collaboration brings together TwinkleTwinkleStar’s customisable experiential entertainment concept and Ventola’s immersive lighting and audiovisual expertise to create a party room attraction that can be used for birthday celebrations, VIP dining experiences, sports-viewing parties,...
Building venues with variety with Intelligent Entertainment
Intelligent Entertainment's owner, Vasileios Pantsakis, shares his thoughts on attraction mixes for FECs. Intelligent Entertainment's owner, Vasileios Pantsakis, shares his thoughts on attraction mixes for FECs. Walk into a family entertainment centre and guests may be there for entirely different reasons. A family wants to play together, teenagers want a challenge they can replay, friends want a social night out, and a corporate group wants a team-building experience.
Activate to launch third immersive gaming experience in Houston
Fast growing live-action gaming brand Activate will open its third Houston-area location in early December at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood, Texas, US. The new entertainment destination will span 12,114sq.ft and will feature 12 game rooms, where players can compete in technology-driven challenges that combine physical movement, problem-solving and teamwork. At Activate, players can take on more than 55 game variations.
Second London Prison Island to launch this month
Prison Island, an immersive escape room-like experience, is to open its second location in London, UK, at the Westfield London shopping centre on November 26. Larger than its Islington location, which launched in September 2025, Prison Island Westfield features 35 cells, adding 12 entirely new challenges London, each offering a combination of action games, athletic challenges and “mind-bending” puzzles.
Activeon acquires Airtastic indoor play brand
Activeon, the European operator of indoor adventure and play parks, has acquired Airtastic and Funky Monkeys. The deal adds ten family entertainment venues across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to the Activeon portfolio. It adds to Activeon’s existing three Jump Zone parks in Dublin and makes it one of the largest family leisure operators in the country, with 11 venues in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Revenue up for Lucky Strike despite same-store decrease
Lucky Strike Entertainment’s total revenue increased by 3.5 per cent to US$302.6m in Q1 2027, compared to Q1 2026, despite a small drop in same-store revenue. During the quarter, Lucky Strike, the operator of location-based entertainment venues across the US, including bowling centres and water parks, reported a comparative net loss of $25.7m, versus a net loss of $13.8 m this time last year.
New indoor roller coaster set for Epic Universe
The new attraction will be themed to Universal Monsters and be found in the Dark Universe section of the park. November 06, 2026
The photo booth of the future
Apple Industries continues to reinvent what experience a photo booth can provide to a guest. Apple Industries continues to reinvent what experience a photo booth can provide to a guest. If you were to take someone from 1925, the year the photo booth was invented, and show them a modern photo booth, they would struggle even to identify it as one.
Doctor Doom takes over Dave & Buster's ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
Dave & Buster’s will undergo a temporary makeover to celebrate the release of a new Marvel film. For a limited time, the company’s venues will be rebranded as Doom & Buster’s, in support of Avengers: Doomsday, which releases on December 18. As part of the rollout, new Marvel-themed games and experiences will be added this week, ahead of the full takeover on November 16.
Sacoa prepares two innovations for IAAPA Expo 2026
Sacoa Cashless System will showcase two innovations at IAAPA Expo 2026. Set to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, US, from November 17-20, the company will share Sacoa Kwik Solutions, a serverless payment and revenue management platform designed for smaller amusement operations and route operators, and Spark+, an upgrade that brings additional contactless payment options to existing Spark Readers.
Groundfall and ValoBoard to make IAAPA Expo debut for Valo Motion
Finnish active play company Valo Motion will showcase its two newest attractions to visitors for the first time at IAAPA Expo 2026. The company will show off Groundfall and ValoBoard to US operators for the first time. Groundfall is a floor-is-lava attraction that runs without staff and has no floor sensors or LED tiles. The two-player attraction puts riders into fantasy board sports games and is already live at three pilot venues in Finland, Germany and Spain.
Sega Amusements International bringing arcade favourites to IAAPA Expo 2026
Titles including Go Go Ducky, Shooting Carnival Gallery and Tower Ball will all be on display at its booth. November 05, 2026
IATP celebrates strong 2026 annual conference
The International Adventure and Trampoline Park Association celebrated a strong annual conference that drew hundreds to Clearwater Beach, Florida, US. From September 14-16, the event welcomed 425 attendees, 67 exhibiting companies, 54 speakers and 30 education sessions, celebrating innovation, leadership and industry connection.
Nigerian amusement park and arcade celebrates opening
Arcade games, amusement rides and a private cinema are to feature at the entertainment hub. November 04, 2026
Positive signs for Puck Interactive’s rollout
Zone Laser Tag, the manufacturer and developer of laser tag systems, has introduced a new interactive gaming system for soft play centres and trampoline parks. Puck Interactive is a modular, NFC-driven interactive platform and includes two fast-paced games, built around accessibility, competition and repeat play.
Timezone players get preview of new Wangan Midnight game
Timezone, the operator of entertainment venues across the Asia-Pacific region, has given racing fans a first drive of a brand-new racing game. Players in Singapore and Australia were treated to a preview of Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune Ignition ahead of the game’s anticipated release in mid-2027. The limited preview began at Timezone Orchard Xchange in Singapore before moving to Timezone Haymarket in Sydney, Australia, giving players outside of Japan the chance to experience the game.
New Greek FEC opts for Sacoa cashless system
Yamato spans 580sq.m across three levels and is designed as a premium indoor entertainment experience for all ages. November 04, 2026
From concept to completion: building indoor play centres with Dream Garden Amusement
Dream Garden Amusement believes that the key to a successful operation lies in the design stage For Dream Garden Amusement, indoor play is all about variety. Rather than focus on one large attraction, the company believes that a well-balanced layout, featuring a number of different attractions, creates a stronger offering for children’s entertainment. One of its most recent examples is the Kiddo project at Centro San Ignacio in Caracas, Venezuela.
Keeping arcades running: the importance of maintenance
Thomas Dodds discovers the importance of arcade maintenance from one of NQ64's engineers. When arcade games, whether brand-new or retro favourites, cost tens of thousands of pounds, it seems almost absurd to let them break down through inadequate maintenance. While it’s understandable for those unfamiliar with electronics to be daunted by the prospect of approaching complex internal mechanisms, for an arcade technician, it is second nature.
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