#TrendWatch
Trendwatch 2026: politics is now kpop
November 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM
KWP #TrendWatch –Cascading outages across Japanese arcade venues following cyberattack on @SEGA ALL.Net portal, which is shared by other game developers – countless machines made inoperable – other #arcade networks taking precautions against possible attack.
November 6, 2026 at 4:31 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Retail embraces #videogaming, as London’s @Selfridges bedecks itself to promote the launch of #GTA6 as a replacement to their Christmas lights - in a major marketing activation and promotion with @rockstargames.com.
November 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – #Amusement and #attraction factories turn to #Spatial_Reality, new Projection Mapped #Immersive_Enclosures gain momentum, such as @taito.co.jp and their #CUBE platform for four-players currently deployed across Japanese amusement sites
November 9, 2026 at 12:51 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Announcement that @Skydance has terminated James Gunn as co-chief executive officer of the @DC_Studios operation – this follows continuing massive layoffs across the media, movie and interactive entertainment divisions of the corporation.
November 10, 2026 at 12:45 PM
KWP #TrendWatch - The #RobotsareComing - after they park your ride!
@Disney Experiences testing autonomous #robot "parking helpers", directing vehicles to spaces within a test lot - robotic versions of characters from Disney movie 'Cars', help at the resorts to park... cars!
November 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – **UPDATE** - Situation worsens for @SEGA #ALL.Net arcade network and #AiME payment system as company informs operators in Japan that platforms will remain “under maintenance” and that the outage will last until beginning of 2027!
November 9, 2026 at 11:42 AM
KWP #TrendWatch - #EntertainmentSocialArena - #026

This latest #ESA reveals the new #Competitive_Socializing trends on show at the @IAAPA London, show, the brands in the social entertainment mix that are redeveloping new concept venues.

bnbc8.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/mr/sh/6rq...
November 10, 2026 at 5:55 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – **UPDATE** - Situation worsens for @SEGA #ALL.Net arcade network and #AiME payment system as company informs operators in Japan that platforms will remain “under maintenance” and that the outage will last until beginning of 2027!
November 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – The “Generation-Game”, as we look at the road taken and the opportunities now available in the #LBE #XR sector, at stage presentation during @IAAPA 2026 – be sure not to miss out!

iaapa.org/expos-and-ev...
November 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Record breaking weekend North American box office of $31m for the new ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ from @TohoStudios – perfect timing for the @RawThrills launch of ‘Godzilla Kaiju Wars: Pro’ to be seen first time at #IAAPA 2026 Expo – full coverage in #StingerReport
November 9, 2026 at 9:26 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – The news that @Meta has confirmed that Quest 2 has reached the end, sees #LBE #VR arena developer @BATTLESTART confirm they will not be able to deliver updates to operators fielding the Quest hardware or guarantee stable performance – as with other LBE VR operators.
November 9, 2026 at 2:24 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – New #VR experience based on popular RPG IP – the #XR theme park @Typhonium Odaiba, Tokyo facility launching ‘Chocobo Race VR’ based in the world of ‘Final Fantasy XIV’, in partnership with @square-enix-games.com.
November 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
KWP #TrendWatch – Surrendering to #DoctorDoom, @Dave&Buster’s reveals new ‘Doomsday Zone’ with exclusive amusement releases on the game floor, and specialist cocktail menu in celebration of their partnership with @Marvel_Studios and @Disney, in time for the December release of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.
November 7, 2026 at 10:34 AM
KWP #TrendWatch – Final reveal of the “Light Blockers” for the @Meta VR Glasses raises concerns over the actual effectiveness of the glasses to offer effective #VR headset levels of immersion – rather than all in one shield as with other #XR headsets.
November 6, 2026 at 11:58 PM
KWP #TrendWatch - the divide between PC #VR headsets and #XR glasses grows, as industry realises that what VR community needs from their next hardware purchase can not be compromised for the hype of a Spatial Computing future.
November 5, 2026 at 4:50 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Confirmation that @AREA15 has recommenced bookings online to #Interstellar_ARC – the immersive #VR experience that suspended operation in August, has returned to taking booking – no official statement from operator, sources suggest agreement with liquidation team.
November 5, 2026 at 2:06 PM
KWP #TrendWatch - Theater based #VR experiences revealed in the large - 'The Shadow by Blanca Li' at the Théâtre Juliette Récamier, France - a 60-minute immersive dance show experience, empowered by @IRCAM - large throughput #XR experiences for the arts.

Source @Blanca_Li
November 5, 2026 at 11:26 AM
KWP #TrendWatch – Big marketing promotion from @Dave&Buster’s as they rebrand themselves “Doom & Buster’s” in promotion supporting the December release in cinemas of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ partnering with @Marvel_Studios and @Disney with new game zones.
November 4, 2026 at 5:08 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Media sources reporting that in North American and other territories the @Sony web page has removed #PlayStation #VR headset from the PlayStation web store – this would seem to be the latest move by Sony to “Sunset” their VR involvement, following layoffs.
November 5, 2026 at 1:13 AM
KWP #TrendWatch – First of its kind “#Soft_Gambling” breaks into #Competitive_Socialzing, with the new Projection Mapped casino and hospitality bar space launched with @First_Roll – players take part in a “gambling free” hospitality space at @Resort_World_Birmingham - #ESA reports on this first!
November 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM
KWP #TrendWatch – Announced that @Immersive_Gamebox is launching multiplayer gaming experience inspired by @Netflix’s #Kpop_Demon_Hunters across US locations in 2027 - developed in collaboration with Netflix, designed for groups of two-to-six players joining #HUNTR/X on an immersive quest.
November 2, 2026 at 7:02 PM
KWP #TrendWatch - The big videogame, streaming and movie #IP look towards #amusement as #Transmedia representation looks to LBE - see the new releases at @IAAPA Expo and in coming #StingerReport coverage!

#Cyberpunk_2077 / #Stranger_Things / #John_Wick / #Jumanji
November 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM
KWP #TrendWatch: Announcing that Kevin Williams of KWP will be starting a regular column for #AR_Insider. First feature in his column [How will XR Drive Location-Based Entertainment] has gone live this week – with more coverage to follow, in coming weeks.

arinsider.co/2026/11/04/h...
How Will XR Drive Location-Based Entertainment's Next Era? - AR Insider
Amidst other declines in device sales, XR is seeing a bright spot: location-based entertainment. How will XR elevate LBE, and vice versa?
arinsider.co
November 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
KWP #TrendWatch - #SoundOff - #143

This week's show we look back at the 1990s location-based entertainment boom to spot the same decisions, the same hype cycles, and the same risks showing up in today’s venues.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MekU...
Sound Off #143 - The LBE Bubble?, NQ JPN, CEC Adventure World, & more!
YouTube video by The LBX Collective
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2026 at 10:09 PM