Author: Matt Harding

The Omni virtual reality treadmill developer Virtuix recently hit 1 million plays on its Omniverse gaming platform, the company announced. It also just released its 20th game, Bull Runner, which simulates the Running of the Bulls festival in Spain. Virtuix says it has shipped more than 3,000 Omni units to more than 500 locations in 45 countries since it launched in late 2017, and upon surpassing 1 million plays, published six key lessons learned from running VR at location-based entertainment venues. One takeaway is that operators ought to offer better games, not more. Virtuix found that 80 percent of Omni operator revenue comes…

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Co-located with the Amusement Expo March 26-28 at the Westgate Hotel and Las Vegas Convention Center, the National Bulk Vending Assn. recently published a schedule of events for Expo-goers. Among the notable additions: the NBVA-only industry gala reception (March 26 at 5:15-7:15 p.m. in Westgate, Ballroom A); the members-only breakfast (March 27 at 8-9:30 a.m. in Westgate, Pavilion 11); and the awards dinner and elections (March 27 at 6:30-10 p.m. in Westgate, Pavilion 11). NBVA president Scott Ausmus of National Entertainment Network also announced some changes from last year’s event. The group’s awards banquet will be less formal, featuring a…

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As an old-school jukebox flips discs to play Run-DMC’s Tricky, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron steps up to a pool table, making one-handed shots – Budweiser in hand. She throws a bullseye at the dart board as onlookers hold their faces in disappointment. She knocks the record high score on a video boxing machine and finishes off with an arm-wrestling contest. All without spilling a drop of her beer. The ad, which aired during the Oscars last night, promotes the brand’s limited-edition Reserve Copper Lager, created to celebrate the 85th anniversary of Prohibition. And what better place to do so than…

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Just in time for Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration, the 1980s and ’90s-themed Game Over Retro Pub opened its doors on Feb. 14, according to Fox 10 News. Featuring Super Mario Brothers, Big Buck Hunter and Street Fighter II on the arcade side of things, among other games, Game Over also has a craft Philly and burrito food menu and full bar. The bar is open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. and is kid-friendly until 9 p.m. Follow the business at www.facebook.com/gameoverretropub.

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To celebrate Gary Clark Jr.’s latest album This Land, AMI is giving away an autographed guitar from the Grammy Award-winning artist. Music fans can enter the contest now through March 13. Entry is available by using the AMI Music app, available on Apple or Android. Participation is also available on AMI jukeboxes. This Land is Clark’s third major-label studio album. He’s well-known for his collaborations with artists like B.B. King and Alicia Keys. For more information about the contest, download the app or visit www.amientertainment.com.

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The latest stop on Arachnid’s BullShooter Tour was Feb. 8-10 in Pittsburgh with competition drawing players from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Maryland, New York and Michigan. Among the winners were husband-wife duo Mark and Kelly Meares of Sarasota, Fla. (pictured at right). They took home the Mixed Cricket Doubles 1st place plaques. BullShooter tourneys feature singles, doubles and triples events. Upcoming tournaments are in Knoxville, Tenn. (today, Feb. 22), Stone Mountain, Ga. (March 8) and Omaha, Neb. (March 22). The finals will be held May 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. A full…

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The brand-new Daytona Championship USA Motion Super Deluxe cabinet from Sega just debuted at the Feb. 15 grand opening of the latest Lucky Strike Social in Chicago, a 30,000-square-foot venue right across the street from the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field home. Read more about the location in a recent Instant RePlay news item. Sega’s leading racing game, first launched in 1994, got a major upgrade with the new four-player Motion Super Deluxe version. It features a pivot motion platform “that pushes immersive racing experience to its limits,” propelling players from side to side – creating a sense of g-force. “The technology lets…

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The HUB Stadium, a unique entertainment center venue in the Detroit exurb of Auburn Hills, has teamed up with Shaffer Distributing to add arcade games into their mix of attractions. They already had popular dart-like axe throwing stalls and bombowling (a beer-pong-like game that combines bowling and football) and offer leagues for both sports. After working with Shaffer, The HUB now has a modern arcade featuring racing games, basketball machines, Skee-Balland some video games too. For more information about the facility’s offerings, visit www.thehubstadium.com. Learn more about Shaffer, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, at www.shafferdistributing.com.

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With a $30,000 top prize on the line, the 2019 Golden Tee Golf World Championship hits virtual Vegas greens from June 21-23 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Hosted by Incredible Technologies, qualifying for the championship began in early February using the game’s new online “events” mode. Special weekly contests will determine five qualifiers a week for 12 straight weeks. Players need to play at least five games a week in order to be ranked but can play as many as they want to improve their final score. In addition to the five players each week who will get a…

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The former Asian Attractions Expo event, now IAAPA Expo Asia, returns to Shanghai, China, June 11-14, and early-bird registration is now open. Admission to the four-day education conference and three-day trade show (June 12-14) is currently $64 for IAAPA members and $124 for non-members (or they can attend the trade show only for $79). Group discounts are available for 15 or more registrants from the same company. Contact IAAPA at convention@iaapa.org for more information. Early-bird registration will end May 3. For more details, visit www.iaapa.org/expos.

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