The Japanese amusement operation industry, known locally as Game Centers, is undergoing significant transformation. Despite a sharp decline from 87,000 centers in 1993 to 10,000 in 2021, the market has shown signs of growth since then. Major players like BANDAI NAMCO, SEGA, GENDA, and TAITO are adapting to attract younger audiences, particularly Generation Z, with new concepts and competitive socializing developments. BANDAI NAMCO reported a 17% increase in amusement operation sales, while GENDA GiGO Entertainment saw a 15% rise in business profits. Companies are diversifying their offerings, with TAITO announcing plans for "amusement parks" and CAPCOM developing AR attractions. This evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for investors, as established companies compete to redefine and dominate the reemerging market.
The Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) VR sector is experiencing significant market restructuring in 2024, characterized by facility closures, franchise expansions, and strategic pivots. Notable developments include the sudden closure of OTHERWORLD VR facilities and the challenges faced by VR arcade chains like Centre VR and Park Playground, highlighting the sector's volatility. Conversely, SandboxVR and Zero Latency are pursuing aggressive expansion, with the former planning 280 new franchise locations in four years and already achieving 1.2 million ticket sales. The market is transitioning towards a franchise model, with companies like EVA, TrueVRsystems, and ANVIO VR leading this trend, while investors are increasingly demanding proven business models that demonstrate sustainable revenue and repeat visitation potential. The sector is moving beyond technological novelty, requiring operators to develop more sophisticated, financially viable, entertainment experiences to survive in a competitive landscape.
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