Note-smashing virtual reality (VR) videogame Beat Saber has become an impressive success, particularly for a Steam Early Access title produced by a small indie studio. It seems like Beat Saber is planning on expanding the franchise, aiming to be the next location-based VR arcade phenomenon thanks to a partnership between Beat Games and Skonec Entertainment.
The plan is to create a version of Beat Saber that will be suitable for VR centres and other attractions and locations that utilise VR arcades, with a specially built machine featuring customised content for a more ‘arcade flow’.
The Beat Saber Arcade Machine will be ‘self-operable’, meaning that players will not need and assistance from an operator in order to climb into a VR headset, grab the controllers and start flailing away to slice those notes.
Beat Games and Skonec Entertainment have expressed lofty aims for this new product, with ambitions of stepping into the shoes of legendary rhythm-based arcade titled like Dance Dance Revolution.
The two companies say that locations tests for the Beat Saber Arcade Machine will be running from the end of August until the middle of September in selected cities in Korea and China. Namely, South Korea will see unit appearing in Seoul and Busan, while China will get the machines in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang.
Skonec entertainment are planning to reveal the Beat Saber Arcade Machine machine at two upcoming events:
KRVF, which will take place in Seoul, South Korea on 5th-9th September. Further information is available on the KRVR website.
GTI Expo, which is set to take place in Guangzhou, China from 12th-14th September. Further information and tickets can be found on the official GTI Expo website.
Jordhan Choi, the Vice President of Skonec Entertainment had this to say: “We are happy to bring this experience to the market with globally being loved game, Beat Saber. We are sure that this will be an exciting addition to not only to VR arcades but also to any locations. We are pleased to service Beat Saber into this branded arcade machine, and plan to include further collaboration such as adding famous K-pop songs and more.”
For future coverage on the Beat Saber franchise keep checking back with VRFocus.