VR Bobble Awards

The most prestigous VR attraction award you can win.

Bob has won plenty of awards. Some of the products even deserved it! Bob created the VR Bobble VR Arcade Game Award after 35-years of being mystified by the award selection process. Having travelled the world experiencing more virtual and augmented reality products than almost anyone, Bob has a unique perspective on what's possible. The VR Bobble celebrates innovation in the VR arcade game space. No politics, no bullshit.

12

Game/Experience
Winners

2

Individual
Winners

2

Operator or
Venue Winners

1

Technology
Winners

You can't apply. There's no committee. Just do great work to push the industry forward.

VR Bobble Award Highlight Video

Individual Winners

Above: Jim Bennington receiving his VR Bobble award at IAAPA 2022.

Jim Bennington - November 2022

Jim Bennington is a true visionary in the world of location-based virtual reality. He has won the VR Bobble award for being a VR pioneer, always looking forward and promoting VR arcade games. He is known for pushing the envelope and being an early adopter of VR, constantly experimenting with new products and ideas. His contributions to the industry have been invaluable and his passion for VR is infectious. He is truly a leader in the field and a true inspiration to others.
Above: Dave Myers receiving the VR Bobble Award for individual service to the Location-Based VR community.

David Myers - March 2022

Dave won his VR Bobble for spending years listening to the needs of VR arcade game manufacturers and operators, turning those conversations into requirements that show up in products like the Vive Focus 3.

Venue and Operator Award Winners

Above: The team at Area15 Las Vegas with their VR Bobble Award, from left to right: Dan Pelson, COO; Winston Fisher, Founder and CEO, Michael Benneville, Founder and CCO, and Jim Heilmann, GM.

AREA 15 - March 2021

Area 15 changed the game for immersive entertainment venues. The Fisher Brothers stepped out of their commercial real estate comfort zone into the overcrowded Las Vegas entertainment market. Area 15, anchored by Meow Wolf, is an immersive mall, event center, and entertainment district. They're a big supporter of VR arcade games as entertainment, offering an exciting space for LBVR solution providers to show their best stuff.
Above: Brent Bushnell, CEO of Two Bit Circus accepting the VR Bobble award online with Bob 2024.

TWO BIT CIRCUS - June 2024

Brent Bushnell is a visionary, always playing at the boundary of imagination and possibility. His brainchild, Two Bit Circus, evolved from a large-scale pop-up interactive circus into the world’s first micro-amusement park, bringing virtual reality attractions from around the globe under one roof. But Brent didn’t just build a space for innovation—he nurtured it. Through innovation nights and deep support for startup VR creators, he became a driving force in the location-based entertainment industry. For his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences, Brent Bushnell is a proud recipient of the VR Bobble Award.

VR Arcade Technology Winners

Above: Benjamin Chen and June Hsieh from HTC, accepting HTC's VR Bobble Award.

HTC VIVE - September 2022

HTC Vive received a VR Bobble for their new Focus 3 headset and suite of location-based software services. The Vive Focus 3 VR headset was designed with the needs of the location-based entertainment market in mind. The Focus 3 eliminates the need for bulky backpacks, expensive computers, and unreliable cable connections. Based on the Qualcomm XR2 chipset, it offers reliable multiplayer experiences in large spaces without external tracking cameras. It's a game changer for VR arcade game developers and operators.

VR Arcade Game Award Winners

Above: Jeremy Paige accepting the VR Bobble award on behlaf of vrCAVE at Amusment Expo 2024 in Las Vegas.

vrCAVE - April 2024

vrCAVE has quietly become a powerhouse in location-based virtual reality, proving that immersive free-roam VR experiences can be both thrilling and profitable. With over 240 locations in 29 countries, they’ve built a global network of operators who trust their high-quality content and rock-solid technology to deliver unforgettable multiplayer experiences. Their partnership with Zero Latency has only expanded their reach, reinforcing their reputation as a leader in the space. But beyond the numbers, vrCAVE has been instrumental in showing the industry what’s possible—helping operators around the world turn VR into a sustainable business. For their innovation, growth, and dedication to pushing location-based VR forward, vrCAVE is a well-deserved recipient of the VR Bobble Award.
Above: Armando Lanuti, CEO of Creatie Works accepting the VR Bobble award at Orlando 2022.

CREATIVE WORKS - November 2022

Creative Works, a company with a background in building over 800 laser tag arenas, has made a mark in the LBVR industry by winning a VR Bobble award. The company has been a strong supporter of virtual reality in the distribution space for LBVR, acting as an incubator for VR and promoting new VR products in the market. In 2017, Creative Works partnered with Hologate to bring their first VR product to IAAPA, and this year (2022), they brought six VR products to IAAPA. Creative Works CEO, Armando, is known for his forward-thinking mindset and his belief in the possibilities of VR, and this award is to recognise their ongoing commitment to embracing innovation and helping the industry see what's possible. The company's dedication to enabling young VR companies to bring their new products to market is truly commendable. Congratulations to Creative Works on their VR Bobble award and for their continued efforts in supporting and advancing the location-based VR.
Above: Harry Skigis and Tommy Van Mil at IAAPA Orlando 2022, receiving the VR Bobble award for After the Fall from Bob Cooney.

VERTIGO GAMES SPRINGBOARD - November 2022

Vertigo Games, the creators of the highly successful VR arcade game Arizona Sunshine, have once again demonstrated their expertise in the virtual reality gaming world by winning a VR Bobble award for their latest release, After The Fall. This AAA title offers players an immersive and engaging game experience, with breathtaking graphics and innovative gameplay centered around managing hordes of zombies. The game's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Vertigo Games team, who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in VR gaming. With its replayability and thrilling gameplay, After The Fall is a must-play for any VR enthusiast. Congratulations to Vertigo Games for their fantastic work and for showing us what the future of VR gaming can look like.
Above: Ben Davenport, CEO of VRsenal, receiving their second VR Bobble Award.

VRSENAL - November 2022

VRsenal has once again made history by winning a second VR Bobble award. This award is in recognition of their new headset cable system for VR arcade cabinets, a true innovation that addresses one of the biggest pain points for operators. VRsenal revolutionized the industry in 2017 by inventing the first unattended VR arcade cabinet, and now they have done it again by designing a cable that is specifically tailored to withstand the rigors of arcade use. The current HDMI cable used in VR headsets is not designed to withstand the constant use and abuse of an arcade environment, and it has been a major failure point for LBVR systems. VRsenal is once again setting new standards in the industry and pushing it forward. Congratulations to Ben and his team on their second VR Bobble award and for their continued commitment to true innovation in the VR arcade space.
Above: Jonathan Stephan Nowak Delgado, CEO and Co-Founder of Spree, accepting a VR Bobble Award.

SPREE INTERACTIVE - September 2022

Spree Interactive received their VR Bobble Award for their Spree Arena, which is the first VR arcade game system designed to accommodate families with younger children. Spree’s system supports play from kids as young a 5-years old with games that are short, simple, and family-friendly. With games that average 3 minutes, a Spree Arena can handle over 120 players per hour with locations seeing over 10K plays per week.
Above: Bob and Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix, receiving the VR Bobble for the Omni Arena.

VIRTUIX OMNI ARENA - March 2022

The Omni Arena from Virtuix was the first product to consider the entire player journey in a VR arcade game. They thoughtfully curated from the moment someone walks up to their arena, all the way through the post-game experience. Then they wrapped a competitive esports system with cash prizes around it. Omni Arena is smashing earnings records for 4-player VR attractions.
Above: Bob Cooney and Zero Latency co-founder and CEO Tim Ruse, with this VR Bobble at IAAPA Orlando.

ZERO LATENCY- November 2019

Zero Latency was the first company to develop and run a successful warehouse-scale virtual reality attraction. They invented their own tracking system for large spaces, and had to invent most of the technology that today's manufacturers take for granted. Zero Latency proved to the world that large-scale, free-roam experiences were possible, and that people would pay top dollar for them.
Above: Bob Cooney testing the Ballast DiVR underwater VR experience.

BALLAST DIVR - November 2019

Ballast's DIVR is the first underwater VR arcade games, turning pools into interactive experiences. Any resort can turn an underutilized pool into a top-earning immersive experience. Whether people are exploring the great barrier reef or floating outside the International Space Station, DIVR introduced a whole new group of people and operators to the LBVR world.
Above: VR Arcade Game Beat Saber in the VRsenal unattended cabinet.

VRSENAL BEAT SABER - November 2019

VRsenal was the first company to solve the problems inherent with using consumer VR headsets in VR arcade game cabinets. They created a fully armored solution and a unique retraction system capable of surviving the abuse that kids (and some adults) heap on arcade games. Then they paired that solution with Beat Saber, the best VR arcade game in history.
Above: The team at LAI celebrating their VR Bobble at IAAPA Orlando

LAI GAMES VIRTUAL RABBIDS - November 2019

LAI showed the world it was possible for an VR arcade game to be run without an attendant. To date Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride is the best selling VR arcade game. It's the one product that's a "no-brainer" VR entry point for amusement and arcade operators.
Above: Leif Petersen, Founder and CEO of Hologate, receiving the VR Bobble Award.

HOLOGATE - August 2019

The very first VR Bobble went to Leif Peterson and his team at Hologate. They created the first location-based virtual reality arcade attraction that hit the sweet spot for operators. It was compact, easy to operate with one employee, and looked great. Partnered with Creative Works for distribution, Hologate lit the fuse for the explosive growth of LBVR attractions.
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