Hero Zone

What Hero Zone does

Hero Zone, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Genk, Belgium, is a provider of free-roam virtual reality (VR) platforms purpose-built for location-based entertainment venues including arcades, family entertainment centers (FECs), trampoline parks, and event operators. The company's core technology synchronizes up to 8 players in shared, cable-free, treadmill-free virtual spaces with real-time avatar representation and voice communication, supported by a unified game launcher that consolidates multiple experiences into a single operational interface. The product portfolio spans a software-only platform license, three turnkey hardware tiers (Hero Zone Go for portable/event use, Arena Flex for compact permanent installations, Arena Max as the premium flagship), and an integrated accessory stack standardizing on Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headsets with optional bHaptics and StrikerVR integrations.

Hero Zone operates a multi-stream revenue model combining hardware sales (turnkey arena packages), usage-based credits (€1 per player per game session, with volume discounts), annual software subscriptions bundled into the first year of hardware purchases, and a platform-only software license starting at $6,000. The company has scaled to 500+ venues across 50+ countries with 4 million+ cumulative players and approximately 150,000 paid plays per month, supported by a direct sales motion, regional distribution partners (e.g., ASI for MENA), and active presence at IAAPA trade shows. Distribution is reinforced by a Discord operator community and content marketing including an ROI calculator and a GAME ONE eBook.

The company's growth strategy has been heavily acquisition-driven, with the asset purchase of SPREE Interactive in March 2023 adding the only free-roam VR platform designed for children under 10 and expanding the venue network past 500, and the announced acquisition of Phenomena's VR eSport Arena (closing end of 2025, integration in 2026) adding the Versus competitive laser-tag title and pushing the network to 550+ locations. Content expansion is anchored by a multi-year STUDIOCANAL/CANAL+ licensing deal yielding Terminator: Uprising across 450 locations in 46 countries, alongside a co-development partnership with Knucklehead Studios producing titles including Cook'd Up and Espionage Express.

Name

Hero Zone

Legal name

Hero Zone

Website

https://herozonevr.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hero Zone is a Belgium-based free-roam VR platform provider serving 500+ location-based entertainment venues (arcades, FECs, trampoline parks, events) across 50+ countries with turnkey hardware arenas, a unified game launcher, and a credit-based content model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Location-Based VR Entertainment Platform

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Amusement Arcades (71312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods) (MPAFALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

VR/AR Gaming Platforms (BPAMAKAG)

Keywords

• Free-roam VR platform
• Location-based VR entertainment
• Multiplayer VR arena
• VR game content library
• VR operator dashboard

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Usage-based Credits: Operators purchase credits (1 credit per player per game) to run VR sessions. Volume discounts available for larger credit purchases. Onboarding and setup time not charged.
2. Turnkey Hardware Solutions: Sale of complete VR arena packages including VR headsets (Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise), PC, network equipment, sound system, kiosk, barriers, flooring, and accessories. Multiple tiers from portable/mobile to premium fixed installations.
3. Software Platform Subscription: Annual subscription providing access to game library, continuous updates, operator dashboard, and remote support. Included with hardware purchases for first year.
4. Platform-Only Software License: Software-only option for operators who want to build their own arena using their own hardware. Lower upfront cost with ongoing credit-based usage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Hero Zone provides a free-roam virtual reality platform for location-based entertainment venues (arcades, family entertainment centers, trampoline parks, and event operators). The offering combines a unified software platform (Hero Zone Platform) with a per-player credit-based game library, sold alongside three turnkey hardware bundles (Hero Zone Go portable, Arena Flex compact, Arena Max premium) and a software-only option. Operators deploy multiplayer VR experiences for 4-8 players without cables, treadmills, or joysticks, with remote fleet management and continuous content updates.

Product overview

Hero Zone is a free-roam virtual reality platform purpose-built for location-based entertainment (LBE) venues such as arcades, family entertainment centers (FECs), trampoline parks, and event operators. The portfolio consists of a core software platform (Hero Zone Platform) that powers all arena configurations, sold alongside three turnkey hardware-and-software bundles: Hero Zone Go (a portable pop-up/event solution), Arena Flex (a compact turnkey package for permanent venues), and Arena Max (the premium flagship arena). Operators can also purchase hardware-only or subscribe to the game library via a per-player credit model. The platform supports 2–8+ players per session across modular arena sizes and includes a growing catalogue of proprietary and third-party VR games including Terminator: Uprising, Dead Ahead, Wizard Academy, Versus, Cook'd Up, and Espionage Express.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hero Zone Platform: All-in-one software platform powering free-roam VR gaming and operations for location-based entertainment venues.
• Hero Zone Go
• Arena Flex
• Arena Max

Products and services

• Hero Zone Platform The core software platform powering Hero Zone's free-roam VR ecosystem - a complete gaming and operations system enabling location-based entertainment venues to deploy, manage, and monetize free-roam VR sessions. Operates on a per-player credit model (1 credit per player per game) and supports the full game library.
• Hero Zone Go A fully portable free-roam VR arena built for events, brand activations, pop-ups, shopping malls, and temporary installations. Includes modular barrier system, mobile hardware unit with wheeled storage, Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headset, gaming laptop, and network infrastructure. Designed for 15-minute deployment with no permanent installation required.
• Arena Flex A compact, cost-effective turnkey free-roam VR solution designed for arcades, family entertainment centers (FECs), trampoline parks, and multi-activity venues. Includes operator kiosk with touchscreen, retractable banners, premium branded vinyl flooring, Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headset, swappable batteries, and PC.
• Arena Max The premium free-roam VR arena for high-traffic venues designed as a commanding centerpiece with maximum visual impact. Includes operator kiosk, sound system, Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headset, swappable batteries, PC, network infrastructure, and 1-year subscription. Optional LED back wall, bHaptics TactPro haptic vests, and StrikerVR Mavrik Pro blasters for enhanced immersion. Available in 6x6m (up to 6 players) and 6x9m (up to 8 players) configurations.
• Terminator: Uprising Free-roam VR game based on the Terminator 2: Judgment Day Hollywood IP, licensed through STUDIOCANAL/CANAL+ in a multi-year deal. Released across 450 locations in 46 countries as the first major Hollywood IP-based free-roam VR game at cinematic scale.
• Cook'd Up! Collaborative free-roam VR game simulating a burger joint kitchen experience for up to 4 players, developed in partnership with Knucklehead Studios.
• Espionage Express Cooperative free-roam VR escape adventure on a hacked train for up to 6 players, developed in partnership with Knucklehead Studios.
• Wizard Academy Cooperative free-roam VR puzzle game where 1-8 players take on the role of wizard students completing a magical exam, casting spells, collecting artifacts, and solving puzzles within a 5-20 minute session.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ venues globally
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• PhenomenaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Acquisition of Phenomena's VR eSport Arena platform, including leading laser-tag VR game 'Versus'. Transaction expected to close by end of year with technology and games migrating into Hero Zone ecosystem in 2026. Awane Jones to stay on as GM of North America. Strengthens Hero Zone's position as largest free-roam VR company.
• Knucklehead StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dutch VR development team with track record on Arizona Sunshine (Vertigo Games) and 5 years of LBVR market experience. Developed Cops vs Robbers as Hero Zone's first third-party distribution partnership. Team has had 300,000 people experience VR for first time in their arcade.
• Amusement Services International (ASI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2023ASI serves as distribution partner to bring Hero Zone VR games to MENA region. Hero Zone already has two locations in Kuwait (Future Kids) with other MENA sites in Saudi Arabia and Oman. ASI Pavilion at DEAL 2023 showcased Hero Zone Arena.
• SPREE InteractivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Asset purchase of SPREE Interactive free-roam system following SPREE's administration. Safeguards the only free-roam VR platform designed for children under 10. Expands network to over 500 venues. SPREE locations primarily at trampoline parks including major deployment at Urban Air Adventure Parks.
• Pico (ByteDance)coreTechnology or IntegrationUsing Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headsets as the standard VR hardware across all Arena products. Standalone enterprise VR headset with industry-leading tracking and high-resolution visuals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sandbox VR: Sandbox VR operates premium free-roam VR experiences at its own owned locations globally, with Hollywood IP partnerships. It is the most direct competitor to Hero Zone's B2B platform approach, though Sandbox VR is B2C operator while Hero Zone is B2B enabler.
• Immotion Group: Immotion Group provides VR experiences and motion platforms to LBE venues including cinemas, aquariums, and FECs. Comparable as a B2B VR experience provider for entertainment operators, though Immotion has broader scope beyond free-roam VR.
• Two Bit Circus: Two Bit Circus operates VR arcades and entertainment venues combining VR, arcade games, and immersive experiences. Comparable as a VR-enabled entertainment venue operator that uses and showcases VR technology in LBE settings.
• Zero Latency: Zero Latency is a free-roam multiplayer VR platform serving FECs and entertainment venues worldwide. Directly comparable as a B2B free-roam VR platform targeting the same operator segments (arcades, FECs, trampoline parks).
• Dreamscape Immersive: Dreamscape operates location-based VR entertainment venues with Hollywood IP partnerships (DreamWorks, Raiders of the Lost Ark). Comparable as a premium VR LBE provider competing for the same entertainment venue and family audience.
• ARVI: ARVI provides VR escape room and entertainment solutions for FECs and entertainment venues. Comparable as a B2B VR experience provider targeting the same operator customer base (FECs, entertainment centers, family entertainment venues).

Emerging players

• Survios: Survios is a VR game studio (creators of Creed, Sprint Vector) with LBE deployments. Comparable as a VR content creator whose games are deployed across VR arcades and free-roam venues, intersecting with Hero Zone's game library strategy.
• Vertigo Games: Vertigo Games is a VR game publisher behind Arizona Sunshine and other LBE-friendly titles. Comparable as a VR content developer whose IP gets deployed across VR arcades and free-roam venues, sometimes in competition with Hero Zone's exclusive titles.

Others

• STRIVR: STRIVR provides VR training and immersive learning solutions primarily for sports and enterprise. Comparable as a VR platform company operating in adjacent verticals (training vs entertainment), with shared underlying VR technology.

Broad incumbents

• nDreams: nDreams is an established VR game developer and publisher acquired by Sumo Group. Comparable as a VR content producer whose titles are licensed into VR arcades and LBE venues, operating at a broader VR content level than Hero Zone's free-roam focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCORfUuoYl-n4f7u8BZhX4Dg
• Facebookfacebook.com/HeroZoneVR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hero-zone
• Instagraminstagram.com/hero_zonevr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hero Zone