Music & Games

Virtual reality esports activity recovering from pandemic

September 3, 2020

Virtuix, creator of the "Omni Arena" virtual reality esports attraction, has shared the latest usage data captured by Omni Arena systems at entertainment venues nationwide and has found revenues have recovered 85% of pre-lockdown levels, according to a press release. The Omni is a motion platform that enables players to walk and run around in 360 degrees in virtual reality games.

Twenty-one of 29 Omni Arena locations have reopened the attraction to the public. On average, game play sessions on Omni Arena have recovered to 85% of pre-lockdown levels.

By venue type, go-karting venues have recovered the fastest (even exceeding pre-lockdown levels). Bowling, another activity that offers social-distancing, has also bounced back. General family entertainment centers and trampoline parks are rebounding more slowly. Movie theaters are recovering the slowest.

Average revenues to Omni Arena operators have recovered to $12,050 monthly, about 85% of the pre-lockdown average of $14,050. At the top 15% of sites, Omni Arena generated revenues of more than $20,000 in August.

"Revenues to our operators have recovered well," Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix, said in the press release. "The data is encouraging, but we're not out of the woods yet, especially with slower months ahead. I hope we can work together as an industry to get past this crisis."

Guests can compete for top spots on leaderboards and win a share of a $100,000 esports prize pool sponsored by Virtuix and HP.

Chart courtesy of Virtuix.