Virtuix Shows Data That Esports Drives Repeat Play at Family Entertainment Centers
Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) are awesome. They’re a great way to have fun with video games, food, and other stuff with family and friends. Virtuix, developer of the Omni virtual reality treadmill and Omni Arena esports attraction have data that proves esports not only stimulates play at these FECs but also attracts new audiences.
There’s something infectious about esports. The people getting hyped up, cheering and booing, watching every play with eyes glued to the screen. These FECs could be the best way to experience esports other than watching at home with a few friends.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Virtuix develops a series of ongoing esports contests at their centers, where players can win a share of a $100,000 prize pool, courtesy of HP. Now that’s serious money for some esports. It sounds like you don’t have to already be a pro to do battle either.
The top 10 teams each month win over 5,000 in cash, and these prizes ultimately attract more players and encourage them to keep coming and attending the esports battles at Virtuix FECs. Their data reveals that of all nationwide plays by gamers with a user account, 32% are repeat plays.
This figure rises over time and has reached 44$ at the Omni Arena’s earliest site – Pinballz, in Austin, Texas. Their survey also showed that 43% of Omni Arena players visited the site specifically to play on the innovative VR platform.
Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix, discussed the data:
“Our data shows that esports contests are resulting in incredible repeat-play rates. Some of our top players have played over 70 times in less than six months, paying $12 or $15 per play. Esports attracts gamers who usually don’t visit an FEC. Ultimately, high repeat play and new customers result in increased revenues for the operator. At our top sites, Omni Arena generated over $30,000 in revenues in December alone.”
The Omni Arena is a full-body VR attraction that lets players compete in groups of four to take part in the experience of running around inside video games. Their latest release is called “Elite Force,” which is a CoD-style military shooter. I can see that being popular too. Who wouldn’t want to prove they have the real move-and-shoot tactics and skills?
Plus, with cash on the line in esports battles, it could be a huge movement. It’s even better if Omni Arena is using their games for esports. They then answer to nobody but their own company and can set the rules however they like. In theory, Virtuix Omni Arena esports could be their exciting country-wide league.
Virtuix also delivered the first one of their installations into a theatre venue last year, at EVO Entertainment’s cinema complex in Schertz, Texas. It sounds like their numbers don’t lie, though. I don’t hear about esports at FECs all that often. The local FEC has cosplay, video games, and other events, but nothing like esports that I’ve seen so far.
But I think this could be a pretty serious movement. Esports in theaters is one thing. We’re trained to be quiet at the theater, but still, people cheer and shout during theatrical esports shows. But FECs are all about noise! You aren’t going there to be quiet and enjoy it. You head to these spots to be loud, drink beer and soda, and have a lot of fun. I would go to my local FEC to watch fighting games and drink beer if that was on the menu, that’s for sure.
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