The over-saturation of the FEC market in Dubai has claimed its latest victim.
The high-profile indoor immersive gaming park Hub Zero has permanently closed its doors, reports KWP’s Kevin Williams.
The 15,000sq.m, dual-level venue was launched to much fanfare in June 2016 by DXB Entertainments, comprising around 14 attraction zones based on prominent IPs, including 3D Resident Evil zombie fight, Dragon Age, Double Agent, Battlefield and, most recently, The Void’s Ghostbusters Dimension VR experience. It also housed a 500sq.m laser tag arena.
The operation partnered with video game companies including Capcom, Electronic Arts, Konami, Microsoft and Square Enix to employ their properties as attractions. It also worked with manufacturers such as VRstudios, Cruden and Simworx, to develop some of the games and simulators for the site.
Williams said: “From the start, the self-styled indoor video game theme park saw questions raised about the design of the single ticket (around US$40) concept, with a tempestuous five years of operation that has seen many restructurings and replacements of attractions and partnerships within the Dubai venue. Attempts to address the failings in the design saw karaoke rooms, a LAN gaming arena and retro amusement added to the mix, with less popular attractions removed. The closure was recently announced on the venue’s various social media sites.”
Sources suggest this is a permanent closure until the assets of the operation can be evaluated and a possible buyer found. This now leaves VR Park as Dubai’s largest VR entertainment venue, though there are murmurs of a new immersive attraction opening soon.
