What Are AR Games?

Gaming terminology can often be quite confusing for those who aren’t so intimately involved in the hobby. And there is a lot of technical jargon that you don’t need to be aware of to still enjoy the hobby. But Augmented Reality gaming is definitely something to keep an eye on. While it isn’t a new technological concept, it has been steadily on the rise in recent years. And we believe it could very well be the future of the gaming industry.

AR gaming is a game that uses a digital overlay on top of the real world. The best example of this is Pokemon Go. You will undoubtedly remember when Pokemon Go was released. It was so popular that presidential candidate Hiliary Clinton dropped a reference to it during her election campaign back in 2016.

Smartphones are the primary platform for AR gaming at the moment. The phone’s camera is used to provide a live visual image of the real world. Then the game will overlap this with digital elements. In Pokemon Go, for example, the AR element is wild Pokemon roaming the streets or large in-game structures layered over real world buildings.

Why AR Gaming Matters?

A lot of people initially wrote AR games off as nothing more than another novelty that was doomed to be forgotten as gaming technology advanced. VR technology started hitting its stride around the same time that AR games were being released. And it didn’t take long for VR to become the latest gaming trend. Leaving AR games in the dust.

But AR gaming is important as it offers the largest paradigm shift in gaming since the introduction of the handheld console. Before handheld consoles, gaming was a very static affair. Arcades and home consoles paved the way but forced gamers to remain indoors. Handheld consoles pushed gaming back out into the world. Forging new social gaming environments and increasing accessibility across the board.

VR technology is wonderful. But it is further removing us from reality. AR gaming is the ultimate step in blending our reality with gaming. And, overall, AR games are far healthier and more social than VR games. Titles like Pokemon GO and Pikmin Finder encourage exercise and in-person cooperation. AR games can also be used for education purposes. Integrating real world history or biology information into a games overlay. Gaming has been proved to be an extremely effective educational tool. The process of gamifying education is an amazing way to get the younger generations excited about learning.

The Health of The Industry

By their very nature, AR games work best when they are designed with a massively multiplayer format in mind. Pokemon GO, for example, divides players into one of three teams. Incentivizing cooperation between players within a local community. And multiplayer games rise or fall on their ability to retain players. AR games provide greater incentive for players to stick with the game as they have a more genuine connection to the in-game community.

Secondary markets are a hotly debated topic within the gaming community. But it has been proven time and time again that the ability to resell accounts or in-game items is beneficial to both players and developers. AR games are designed to be accessible and player friendly. And many of the most popular AR games have thriving secondary markets. For example, MysticMisery sells Pokemon Go accounts that come with a wealth of high level Pokemon. Options like this are ideal for new players to jump ahead of the learning curve and dive right into the game’s community. Accessibility like this is another cornerstone of player retention and the longevity of the industry as a whole. And keeping AR games accessible.

The Apple Vision Pro was released in 2024. It is the first step into the future of AR technology. Much like how the introduction of the PSVR and Oculus Rift were the first steps into retail VR technology. While the Vision Pro hasn’t been designed with gaming in mind, it is a great platform from which developers can start flexing their creative muscles.

And this is the truly powerful aspect of AR technology within the world of gaming. It is a relatively unexplored creative space. New technologies like this can only breathe new life into the industry. The limits of AR games have yet to be discovered. We have seen haptic technology improving massively too. VR games have already begun integrating haptic tech into their gameplay. And we wouldn’t be surprised to see haptic tech being used in tandem with AR games in the near future. We hope that more companies see the potential that sits within AR technology. But only time will tell.

As of 2025 the global video game industry is estimated to be worth $250 billion dollars. And some experts think that this value could triple within the next ten years. Whereas back in the 90s it was estimated to be worth only $30 billion dollars. This massive increase is a testament to just how powerful and popular video games have become.

Arcades used to be the cornerstone of the industry’s success. Before the era of home consoles and PC gaming. All the latest gaming titles were launched at arcades. In our opinion arcades were the perfect representation of what gaming is all about. The blending of the artistic medium of game design paired with the social atmosphere propagated by being at an arcade. And, back in the day, arcades were extremely profitable.

But the era of arcades is long gone now. Especially now that online gaming is so advanced. But just because they aren’t as popular as they once were, doesn’t mean there isn’t still a market for them. Which leads us onto today’s topic. Are arcades still a profitable investment?

Logistics Of An Arcade

As with any business the first thing we have to look at is the expenditures associated with running an arcade. This is important information to have even if you are only looking at investing in someone else’s arcade venture.

The primary expenses will be the game machines and electricity costs. Arcades will naturally rack up a higher electricity bill than most businesses. And if there isn’t enough demand in the area for an arcade then this could potentially lead to profits dipping off quickly. But in a high demand area the electricity costs are negligible.

When it comes to the games there are two options. An arcade can choose to either buy the machines or partner with a games company. There are advantages to both methods. If the arcade machines are provided by a company then the arcade will only take a share of the machine profits. But they don’t have to worry about maintenance costs and will regularly get new machines brought in. This is useful for generating business hype and enticing return custom. Whereas owning the machines will provide more profits. A smart arcade owner should opt for a mix of owned and rented machines.

One of the main sources of income for a traditional arcade won’t actually come from the machines. Instead it will be generated from things like merchandise, food, drinks, and membership deals. Of course all of these income streams will also have a cost associated with them.

Then you need to consider the costs for things such as site maintenance, staffing, and emergency situations. Arcades can sometimes become hotspots for pests. Even though hiring a pest control company isn’t that expensive these days, it is still something to consider. For arcade owners who prefer a DIY approach, Thanoshome offers effective pest control products designed to keep spaces clean and pest-free without breaking the bank.

Insurance is absolutely essential for arcades. And has the potential to be one of the biggest costs associated with running the business.

Is There Demand?

We briefly touched on the idea of demand. And this is the most important question to look at when deciding if you should invest in an arcade. Is there even demand for them anymore? Well you will be happy to know that demand for arcades has been steadily increasing over the last few years. Ever since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, gamers are looking for a more engaged social gaming experience. Moving away from the isolated feeling of home gaming.

The arcade resurgence has been further fueled with the advent of VR gaming technology. VR arcades are starting to pop up all over the place. They offer an immersive gaming experience that people can’t replicate at home without a significant financial investment. And the running costs of VR arcades is comparatively low when compared to how much money they can bring in every month.

But let’s look at some numbers. Experts have claimed that the arcade industry is seeing significant growth. They expect revenue for the industry to reach almost $6 million dollars within the next five years. It is estimated that an arcade in a high demand area can potentially bring in up to $2,000 dollars in profit a week. This is no small feat for an industry that was said to be on the brink of collapse not even ten years ago.

Is It A Profitable Investment

So are arcades a profitable investment? We should say it is a resounding yes! As gaming technology improves, especially in the world of VR, the arcade industry is only going to get stronger. And with eSports growing in popularity too we are starting to see more PC gaming arcades open up.

Now is the time to break into this industry. Not only is it potentially lucrative but it is also a great way to diversify your investment portfolio. And it can potentially open you up to new and exciting investment opportunities in the years to come.

Arcane, the popular Netflix show inspired by the world and characters of League Of Legends, has finally returned to our screens. Season 2, which is releasing 3 episodes at a time, has already received rave reviews. The show’s beautiful visuals and compelling character driven story has gripped the world. And the best part is that you require no previous knowledge of LoL to enjoy Arcane. The story is perfectly self-contained.

But, if you are considering diving into the world of LoL, there are quite a few things you need to be aware of. The LoL franchise has grown massively over the last few years. With multiple titles under the LoL banner now. This guide will help you grapple with the different games and some of their basics.

League Of Legends

The original, and most popular game in Riot’s catalog. LoL is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. Or MOBA for short. The basic mode is a 5v5 where players take on the role of different champions each with their own unique abilities. You gain gold and experience from killing NPCS and other players. Exp levels up your abilities while gold is used to buy different items.

This is where you will find most of the characters from Arcane. Caitlin, Vi, Jinx, Jayce, Viktor. Riot has released Arcane themed skins for these characters too. Characters in LoL usually fall into a specific role. Attack Damage Carry, Support, Jungler, Top Laner, or Mid Laner. The map is split into three lanes, which regularly spawn waves of minions. The jungle, the space between the lanes, is filled with aggressive NPCs that can be farmed for gold and exp.

LoL is a very competitive game. With a heavy focus on Meta playing and optimal builds. It is an ideal game for anyone who loves ranked play. We recommend trying a few different characters to find a good mix of ones you like. Then look up optimal builds for them online. There are also hundreds of amazing LoL coaching services online that can help you rise up the ranks.

Team Fight Tactics

Team Fight Tactics, or TFT, is an auto battler set in the LoL universe. It doesn’t feature all of the champions that are present in LoL. But the roster is slowly expanding. A lot of the popular Arcane characters are in the game.

Each game of TFT sees players building up a team of different champions. Buying multiple of the same champion allows you to level them up. You then position each champion on the map and wait for the battle to start. Unlike LoL, where you directly control the champion, TFT automatically carries out the battles for you. So your tactical placing of your champions, as well as which champion combinations you use, is critically important.

TFT does feature a ranked system. But it is arguably harder to advance up than LoL, due to the automated functionality of the battles. The highest rank in TFT is challenger. This is the tier where most of the pros play. Like with LoL there are numerous coaching services that can help you advance up the ranks. I recommend getting coaching for challenger TFT even if you’re still in the lower ranks. The top level coaches will help you refine your playstyle and expand your understanding of the intricate complexities of the game.

Legends Of Runeterra

If you’re someone who adores their card games then this is the title for you. With similar playstyles to Heartstone and Magic The Gathering, Legends Of Runeterra is a card battler featuring a huge selection of the most popular LoL champions. But, unlike a lot of modern card games, LOR prioritizes skill over luck.

Every card has their own unique stats and abilities. And champion cards can be leveled up during a battle. But the region mechanic is what really sets the game apart from similar titles. Cards from similar regions sync up and provide better bonuses and effects. To win in LOR you need to carefully curate your deck. Finding powerful synergies and combinations that can outmatch your opponent.

LOR is unique in that it is the only game that allows players to use characters that aren’t mainline champions. Players can build decks filled with the denizens of the different regions of Runeterra.