Explanation
A Location-Based Experience (LBE) is a virtual or augmented reality experience offered in a specially designed physical venue accessible to the public. Unlike home setups, LBEs provide high-end hardware, large play areas, sensory effects (wind, vibrations, scents), and professional supervision. They are a major driver of VR democratization by letting the general public discover immersion without investing in personal equipment.
Real-world example
A group of friends books a session at a VR center: they put on headsets and PC backpacks and explore a virtual world together while walking freely in a 200 m-squared space.
Practical applications
- VR arcades: immersive multiplayer gaming sessions in a dedicated space
- VR escape rooms: collaborative puzzle-solving in virtual reality with physical set pieces
- VR attractions in theme parks: virtual roller coasters, flight simulators, sensory experiences
- Immersive exhibitions and museums: cultural VR tours with guided narration
- Corporate events: team-building, product launches, temporary immersive showrooms
Types of LBE
VR Arcade / VR gaming center
- Short sessions (15-60 min) by reservation
- High-end headsets with large-area tracking
- Multiplayer in a shared space (free-roam)
- Catalog of varied games and experiences
Example: A VR center offers 10 experiences including a 4-player cooperative adventure in a 100 m-squared maze
Attraction / Immersive park
- Synchronized physical effects (wind, vibrations, heat, scents)
- Real-world sets combined with virtual overlays
- High throughput capacity (optimized visitor flow)
- Full narrative design and maximum immersion
Example: A theme park installs a VR walkthrough where visitors walk through a physical set while seeing a fantasy world in their headsets
VR scenario
An LBE center welcomes a group of 6 colleagues for a VR team-building event. Equipped with headsets and PC backpacks, they meet as avatars in a virtual world where they must collaborate to complete challenges. They see each other, communicate by voice, and move freely in a 200 m-squared space. The facilitator supervises from a control station and adjusts difficulty in real time.
Why it matters in professional VR
- LBEs are most people's first point of contact with VR
- They deliver a quality of experience unattainable at home (space, hardware, sensory effects)
- A fast-growing market: the LBE sector is a major economic driver for the XR ecosystem
- LBEs also serve as a technology showcase to convince businesses to adopt VR