IAAPA 2023 Recap: Unattended VR Attractions
Missed IAAPA Orlando or just need a refresher? Here are the top unattended VR attractions we saw and tried at the show.
The newest stunner was “Godzilla Kaiju Wars VR” from Raw Thrills. Mirroring similar successful set-ups as “King Kong of Skull Island” and “Virtual Rabbids,” it’s easy to see Godzilla doing well in VR arcades and family entertainment centers alike. It’s a relatively small footprint (57.25”W x 101.5”D) with different modes for replayability, smooth graphics and good IP that’s sure to entice customers to swipe their cards. Watch a short video of this cabinet in action on the show floor on YouTube here and contact your local distributor such as Betson for pricing and more info.
Also new to the scene was “Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade VR” from LAI Games. An extension of LAI’s existing Asphalt 9 Simulator, this VR driving sim comes as a single unit or a double unit with a motion base that moves in conjunction with the player’s movements in the headset to create a 5D experience. In our experience, guests are often requesting VR driving simulators, not just regular VR games or regular driving sims, so this attraction fills that request nicely without causing motion sickness or discomfort.
Of course, LAI was the originator behind “Virtual Rabbids” and this VR coaster still has a huge appeal even after a few years on the market. It is compact in size at 60”Wx126”D, appropriate for all ages and includes multiple experiences for replayability. In the past, we’ve seen complaints from some FEC owners about downtime and tech problems, but LAI has upgraded the headset to a new Vive Pro 2 system that should alleviate some of these issues.
It’s important to note none of these attractions should be fully unattended because the nature of having players wear VR headsets for an experience will require staff to clean the equipment more often than traditional arcade cabinets. While you can provide sanitation wipes for customers to clean their own equipment, it’s always a good idea to update your day-to-day operations to include regular cleaning of the headsets and lenses to ensure players aren’t turned away by unsanitary equipment.
With a solid cleanliness program, these attractions can make for very lucrative additions to your arcade floor.
Note sure what the difference between attended and unattended VR is? Check out our blog on VR terms for FEC owners for more info.
