IAAPA 2024 updates: All you need to know

It's that time of the year again! As trade shows buzz with activity worldwide, the Valo Motion team is gearing up with excitement for one of the most anticipated events in the location-based entertainment calendar - IAAPA Expo Europe 2024.

From September 23-27, the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands, will transform into a hub of innovation and excitement for the leisure industry. And guess what? Valo Motion will be right there at the heart of it all, ready to welcome you at Booth #12250.

This marks our 8th year exhibiting at IAAPA, the largest international trade association for the location-based entertainment industry in Europe and worldwide. Just like last year in Vienna, we're bringing our complete lineup of active mixed reality attractions - ValoClimb, ValoJump, and ValoArena. These attractions are currently energizing leisure venues in more than 75 countries across the globe, and we can't wait to show you what's new!

Speaking of which, one question we hear time and time again from visitors at our booth (or should we say our "block party"?) is: "So, what's new this year?" Well, we're thrilled to say we have plenty of exciting updates to share!

Whether you're a long-time partner or just getting to know us, we think you'll be impressed by what we've been working on: 

IAAPA 2024 updates for ValoJump: new sizes, new game, and even more fun

Let's look at what's new:

• The new minimum size for trampolines and air tracks
• Brand new basketball-themed game - Dunk It!
• Disco mode for Jump Theater
• New touchscreen user interface

Smaller footprint, same big fun

Great news for indoor entertainment venues looking to maximize their floor space and revenue! ValoJump now offers a new minimum trampoline size, making it more versatile than ever. The new trampoline mat size (without springs) is 3m x 1.8m (9.8ft x 5.9ft), resulting in a total footprint of just 3.8m x 4.5m (12.5ft x 14.8ft) for a single ValoJump unit.

You asked, and we listened. This change comes from the feedback we have received from esteemed customers, aiming to make ValoJump easier to retrofit and fit into tighter spaces in new parks. We've thoroughly tested these smaller sizes at our own mini park in Helsinki - ValoHalli and updated the ValoJump games to give the same immersive gaming experience on the more compact trampolines. 

Now you can offer your guests the full ValoJump mixed-reality experience, even in spaces you might not have considered before, allowing you to add more variety to your venue's offerings.

When choosing a trampoline for your ValoJump, quality matters. That is why we highly recommend you opt for trampolines with good vertical bounce spread evenly from the center to near the springs. This is crucial because ValoJump’s active mixed-reality games make the most of the entire trampoline bed, including sideways movement right up to the springs. The shape of your trampoline is also important for the same reason as it affects how players move and interact with the games.

For those of you interested in ValoJump air, there's good news too as we are introducing a new air track size that is 3.2m x 2.5m (10.5ft x 8.2ft). This design is nearly 29% smaller than before, while still requiring just 3.5m (12ft) of ceiling height, making it perfect for venues with space & height constraints. This smaller size also makes installation and setup easier, potentially reducing time and costs.

While we're excited about these new sizes for trampolines and air tracks, we understand that every venue is unique. The previous sizes remain available for ordering if required for specific projects. In fact, if space allows, we still recommend the larger trampolines to further enhance the exercise and fun factor.

Whether you go for the new compact size or stick with the original dimensions, your guests will enjoy the same exciting mixed reality experience that keeps them coming back for more. It's all about giving you options that fit your unique venue needs.

Want to find out which ValoJump setup is perfect for your space? Get in touch with our expert team. They'll help you choose the best solution for your venue.

Slam dunk with 'Dunk It!'

Get ready to see your venue filled with aspiring basketball superstars! Dunk It!, the newest addition to the ValoJump game library, brings the thrill of dunking basketball to your mixed-reality jumping attraction.

In this high-flying adventure, players soar through the air, catching virtual basketballs from all directions. As hoops appear across the screen, players aim to slam dunk as many balls as possible. It's an exhilarating experience that lets guests live out their dreams of making spectacular dunks like their sports heroes.

Dunk It! is designed with busy venues in mind. Each game session lasts just 120 seconds, ensuring quick turnover during peak times. For even higher throughput, the Rush Hour mode cuts playtime to 90 seconds. The two-player mode on separate units adds a competitive edge, perfect for group events or friendly rivalries.

While it's a hit with the 8-12 age group, Dunk It! appeals to basketball enthusiasts of all ages. Its addictive gameplay, complete with varied dunk styles and hidden surprises, encourages repeat plays. This not only boosts engagement but also drives revenue for your venue.

As the 10th game in the ValoJump library, Dunk It! adds fresh excitement to your attraction, giving guests another reason to keep coming back for more jumps, more dunks, and more fun!

Disco fever in Jump Theater

Jump Theater for  ValoJump, got a groovy upgrade earlier this year with the new Disco mode. Unlike the regular Jump Theater mode, where the players jump to hit the piñata, in this funky new setting, the piñata bursts to reveal a dazzling disco ball, transforming the game environment into a vibrant, music-filled dance floor on the trampoline (or air track).

Disco mode shifts the focus from scoring points to pure, rhythmic fun. Players can perform dance tricks and enjoy a unique, musical jumping experience. It's an entertaining addition that adds disco flair to the ValoJump’s mixed-reality experience, giving your guests another reason to keep coming back for more.

A fresh face for the ValoJump touchscreen

In addition to the new in-game menu released last year, we've now redesigned the user interface for the ValoJump touchscreen to enhance the user experience at your venue. This sleek, modern interface is set to make a big impact on both your guests and your operations.

Your guests will enjoy effortless navigation through key features like video sharing and leaderboards. Clear "How to Play" instructions and an accessible Game Library allow interaction even before jumping, ensuring a smoother start and a more enjoyable experience. The updated visual design boosts engagement, making ValoJump more appealing to guests of all ages.

For you as an operator, this update brings significant benefits. The improved Admin Settings are intuitive and efficient, allowing you to control the ValoJump experience with minimal effort. The simplified video-sharing process encourages more players to share their experiences, increasing organic marketing opportunities for your venue. 

These enhancements delight your guests while streamlining your operations, making ValoJump an even more valuable addition to your venue’s lineup.

IAAPA 2024 updates for ValoClimb: a fresh look, return of a legend, & level-ups

Here’s what is new this year for ValoClimb:

• New touchscreen look and feel
• Climball Legends for ValoClimb
• Whack-a-Bat with new themes and even better throughput
• Return of DustProtect version of ValoClimb for climbing gyms

A fresh look for your ValoClimb

We've revamped the player touchscreen experience on ValoClimb, making it more intuitive and engaging than ever. The game selection screen now showcases its 10 exciting augmented reality games with a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. Informative tags for each game provide quick details, helping players make informed choices at a glance.

But that's not all - we've added game preview videos, allowing players to get a feel for the gameplay before they start. The level selection process has been streamlined, and for venues using pay-to-play systems, we've updated the payment prompts that your guests see before they pay to start playing, with three different options to suit various payment devices.

These updates, combined with the fresh, modern design of the interface, not only enhance the player experience but also help attract passersby and spark curiosity to play at your venue. For you as an operator, this means potentially increased engagement, easier management, and a more attractive, modern-looking attraction.

The legend returns: Climball Legends

Seven years ago, the original Climball game took the internet by storm, with gameplay videos racking up hundreds of millions of views and establishing Valo Motion as a pioneer in augmented reality sports games. Now, we're thrilled to introduce Climball Legends - a complete upgrade to this iconic game.

Climball Legends features innovative freeform hitting mechanics that accurately track the player's limb positions and the strength at which they hit the incoming ball, making the game more dynamic and exciting. With three game modes - "Pro", "Multiball", and "Low" for younger players - it caters to a wide range of skill levels and ages.

This new climbing game is visually stunning, and its athletic gameplay attracts visitors across various demographics. The fixed game duration of about 75 seconds ensures predictable throughput. Plus, it's great for hosting exciting competitions and encouraging repeat play at your venue.

Whack-a-Bat levels up

The most popular ValoClimb game, Whack-a-Bat, has received an exciting update. We've fine-tuned the game to enhance both player experience and venue efficiency.

Each game of whack-a-bat now has a fixed length of 90 seconds, ensuring consistent experiences for all players and better throughput for your venue. We've also unified the theming, including a robot theme that changes the game title and icons for a fresh look.

The user interface has been polished, with sharper text and smooth animations. When there is no player on ValoClimb and the system is idle, the screen becomes more inviting to attract potential players and simplifies the difficulty options to just three levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard.

These updates make Whack-a-Bat more engaging for players and more efficient for your venue, resulting in increasing customer satisfaction at venues with ValoClimb all over the world.

Dust Protect: Climbing gym-friendly

For climbing gyms and venues with dusty environments, we're excited to bring back the DustProtect L2 PG2.0 version of ValoClimb. This special edition features high-quality HEPA dust filters for protection against climbing chalk dust, ensuring smooth operation even in dust-heavy environments. With 6,000 lumens of brightness, it delivers a clear, vivid projection that stands out even in well-lit gyms.

What’s new for ValoArena: Strike a pose with Photobomb!

Earlier this year, ValoArena welcomed an exciting new mixed-reality addition to its game library - Photobomb. This hilarious mixed-reality game transforms the ValoArena into an interactive photo booth featuring a Hollywood red carpet theme.

In Photobomb, up to six players become celebrities at a premiere event, competing to strike outrageous poses within a picture frame before the snapshot is taken. The goal is to be the most visible "star" in each crazy photograph, scoring points for face, hand, and feet markers captured in the frame.

Perfect for players aged 6 and up, Photobomb offers a social gaming experience that's as much fun for kids as it is for adults. Its family-friendly nature, simple gameplay, and hilarious photo moments make it ideal for family outings, parties, or any group event. For you as an operator, this means attracting a wider audience and the potential for increased foot traffic at your venue.

With a brand new product feature, players can now get their gameplay images along with the gameplay video after they play Photobomb on ValoArena, directly via email or QR code. These branded emotional souvenirs not only enhance the guest experience but also serve as powerful word-of-mouth marketing tools for your venue.

Valo Motion: Growing to serve you better

As we continue to innovate across our product lines, we're also evolving as a company to better serve you and your guests. 

Let's take a look at some exciting developments that have taken place at Valo Motion this year:

• Introducing ValoPark - An active entertainment park concept for shopping malls
• NEW Partner Portal
• 4 new seasons of ValoLeague 
• 200+ NEW PRODUCTS INSTALLED IN 2024!

ValoPark: Bringing active entertainment to shopping malls

We're thrilled to introduce ValoPark a solution designed to help you scale your indoor entertainment business into high-foot-traffic areas like shopping malls.

Designed to fit compact spaces from 400 to 1000 sqm  (4500-10500 sqft) with just a 3.5m (12ft) ceiling height, ValoPark opens up possibilities in locations that were previously out of reach. Just as food courts are essential anchors in most shopping malls, ValoPark is designed to act as a 'Fun Court' - a social space where families play and share experiences, fitting seamlessly into shopping malls.

ValoPark addresses key challenges faced by leisure operators. Its compact design and low ceiling height requirements dramatically lower initial investment and insurance costs. With automated platforms, you can run smoothly with minimal staffing (only 2-4 employees). Plus, dedicated party rooms provide an additional revenue stream through group events and birthdays.

By blending physical activity with digital gaming, ValoPark appeals to both active individuals and gamers. It's a step towards our goal of moving 1 million people daily with our games by 2030, contributing to a healthier world while helping you grow your business.

Partner Portal: Your one-stop resource hub

We've launched a new Partner Portal to make your experience with Valo Motion smoother and more intuitive. This dedicated platform gives you easy access to all installation, marketing, and sales materials in one place.

The new portal features search-led navigation, allowing you to find what you need quickly. We've introduced color-coding by product and a favorites feature to streamline your workflow. In this way, all essential documents are now available from a single, unified source.

Whether you're a reseller, park builder, designer, or manufacturer, the Partner Portal is designed to support you in creating amazing location-based entertainment destinations for your customers. To get access to our dedicated Partner Portal, please contact us at marketing@valomotion.com.

ValoLeague: Bringing global competition to your venue

ValoLeague, our Active eSports League, continues to grow and excite players worldwide. This year, we've released 3 new seasons so far, each bringing fresh challenges and opportunities for your guests to compete globally and stand a chance to win cash prizes if they finish in the top 4 in the global rankings.

Also for the first time, Short Circuit for ValoClimb joined the league with a thrilling 'Competition' mode. This new addition, designed for solo players or duos, challenges agility, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 

But don’t mistake ValoLeague as something that is only fun for players because it's a powerful tool for you too. It brings an additional level of activity to your attractions, expands your offering for group entertainment, and helps you monetize your ValoClimb and ValoJump as an event organizing tool. By encouraging guests to join and climb their way to the top of the leaderboard, you can boost repeat visits and enhance social play at your venue.

Stay tuned, a brand new ValoLeague Season 14 is set to begin from 12.9.2024 till 26.11.2024! Please reach out to us at marketing@valomotion.com, if you require any marketing materials to help prompt this season at your venue.

200+ NEW PRODUCTS INSTALLED IN 2024!

As we wrap up this update, we're super happy to share that we've installed 200+ new Valo Motion attractions worldwide this year till now. 

Every new installation brings us one step closer to our goal of 1 million plays per day by 2030. More importantly, it allows us to empower communities worldwide by spreading the joy of active fun with our mixed-reality games. 

Thank you to all our partners, players, and amazing operators for joining us on this journey.