How to curate a winning entertainment mix for your FEC

Attract more guests, stand out from competitors, and build for the future

Why the right attraction mix matters

Guests today have endless options for entertainment at home. Streaming services, video games, and social media are available at every moment at our fingertips on our phones and via a variety of screens and consoles. For Family Entertainment Center (FEC) operators, that means one question rises above the rest: what will convince people to visit your location instead of following the path of least resistance and convenient entertainment? 

Overcoming inertia is a significant challenge!

Success starts with the right combination of attractions. A strong entertainment mix connects social energy, technology, and replayable fun. It encourages groups to return, share their experiences, and become part of your community.

Valo Motion understands this balance. More than 1 million people use Valo Motion products each month, across 80 countries and 500 active parks. The result is a growing network of operators who see the impact of technology-driven, physically active entertainment.

Standing out in a crowded market

An FEC is more than just a set of games. It is a retail experience where every detail shapes how guests perceive your brand. In many areas, there are multiple options for families, groups, and team events. Differentiation becomes the key to long-term success.

Consider three questions:

1. Who do you want to entertain? Families, teens, or adults looking for social play? 

2. What occasions bring your audience in? Birthdays, company outings, or casual weekends?

3. What is your unique story or competitive edge? 

Each answer helps define your anchor attractions, the core experiences that draw people in and keep them coming back. 

Consider this: If every location in your market has the same attractions and carpeting, and food, what will make guests choose YOUR location?  What will make the experiences YOU curate memorable?

🤔 Want to see what’s changing in the industry? Check out the key trends driving the FEC market growth.

Choosing effective anchor attractions

Every thriving FEC has one, two, or more signature experiences that anchor the rest of the venue. These attractions share several traits:

• Social: They invite group play and shared moments.
• Broad appeal: They work for different ages and abilities.
• Easy to start: Players can jump in quickly without long instruction.
• Challenging to master: The experience improves with practice, encouraging repeat visits.

A strong anchor attraction also fits your layout, supports your operations, and creates a clear sense of identity. Guests remember these activities, talk about them afterward, and often plan their next visit around them.

Immersive and experiential entertainment

Audiences are increasingly drawn to active, hands-on play. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality are shaping this new category of experience.

• Virtual Reality (VR) places players inside a fully digital world using headsets.
• Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital elements on physical surroundings through a phone or glasses.
• Mixed Reality (MR) combines both, allowing guests to move through real space while interacting with digital elements.

For operators, these technologies offer something home entertainment cannot replicate. They blend movement, teamwork, and technology into a single, memorable experience. Mixed reality in particular provides a balance of novelty, simplicity, and broad appeal. It keeps guests active while reducing the need for complex hardware or high staffing levels.

💡 Mixed reality is quickly becoming the standard in FECs. Learn why it’s the future of family entertainment centers.

The rise of competitive socializing

Across the industry, classic games are being reimagined with technology and atmosphere. This movement, often called competitive socializing, turns familiar pastimes into modern group experiences.

Bowling, darts, mini golf, and billiards are now being enhanced through projection mapping, LED lighting, and automated scoring. The change is not only visual. These updates increase dwell time, support food and beverage sales, and attract younger audiences who value shared, social activities.

Examples include:

• AR-based darts with automatic scoring
• Bowling lanes that react to player performance
• Gamified mini golf with dynamic challenges
• Pool tables that project interactive visuals

These upgrades transform simple games into social events that guests talk about and return to experience again.

ValoArena in action 

ValoArena represents this next generation of entertainment. It is the world’s first mixed reality playground, allowing up to six players to move, compete, and play together without headsets or controllers.

Inside the arena, players jump, run, and react to digital games projected on the walls and floor. The setup creates a natural blend of physical play and video-game excitement. It is social, active, and simple to operate.

‍With more than 100 installations and popular locations in Baytown, San Antonio, and Texas City, ValoArena has become a proven draw for both families and young adults.

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I’ve been telling everyone - ValoArena is a must-have attraction” says Archie Wright, CFO and Co-Owner of AR’s Entertainment Hub.

Operators appreciate the unattended operation and compact footprint. Guests enjoy a format that feels new each time they play.

📐 Thinking about upgrades? See how the new ValoArena 4-player makes it easy for you to retrofit a high-impact, multiplayer attraction in your venue.

Designing for longevity

Technology alone does not guarantee success. The goal is to create experiences that build real connections among guests. When planning or updating your entertainment mix, consider these guiding ideas:

• Prioritize social play. Select attractions that naturally bring people together.
• Encourage repeatability. Focus on activities that are easy to start but grow in depth over time.
• Balance innovation and reliability. Combine fresh experiences with proven crowd-pleasers.
• Plan for unattended operation. Reduce staffing needs with automated or self-running options.
• Tell a story. Make each attraction part of your brand narrative rather than a random addition.

The most successful FECs don’t just offer games. They build ecosystems of engagement where every visit feels familiar yet fresh.

📕 Looking to strengthen your FEC’s brand? Dive into our complete guide to building a successful FEC brand marketing strategy.

Preparing for the future of fun

Entertainment is moving toward a space where physical activity and digital interactivity merge. Guests want experiences that combine gaming, movement, and connection.

As you evaluate your mix, ask these questions:

• Does your lineup inspire teamwork and laughter?
• Do guests have a reason to return for another round?
• Are your attractions simple to maintain and cost-effective to run?
• If you can answer “yes” to these, you are already positioned for growth.

Resources that can help your FEC business

Birthday parties can make a huge impact on your FEC’s bottom line. Explore our in-depth blog series covering everything from increasing party revenue to making operations easier:

• Part 1: Are you missing out on revenue from birthday parties?
  
• Part 2: How to design birthday party packages that sell out
  
• Part 3: Marketing strategies to sell more birthday parties
  
• Part 4: How to make birthday party operations easier (and more profitable)