Could this work in the UK, US or Europe?

Could this work in the UK, US or Europe?

I recently came across something fascinating in China.

People are running around shopping centres and parks playing real-world Battle Royale games.

No VR headset.

No physical bullets.

Just smartphones, AR guns and digital effects.

Think:

🎮 PUBG + Laser Tag + Pokémon Go + Social Sports.

Players run, hide, revive teammates, fight bosses and compete in teams, while the physical world itself becomes the game arena.

What caught my attention is that this combines several things people increasingly want:

🏃 Physical activity

🤝 Social interaction IRL

🎮 Gaming

🌳 Outdoor experiences

And unlike most LBVR attractions, it doesn't require expensive fit-outs or dedicated venues.

It could potentially operate in:

• Shopping centres

• Public parks

• University campuses

• Festivals

• Corporate team-building events

• Temporary pop-ups

But I wonder whether this model could actually work in the UK or anywhere outside China

Some obvious questions come to mind:

⚠️ Health & Safety

Would shopping centres allow people to run around?

⚠️ Public Liability Insurance

How would insurers view this?

⚠️ Parks and Public Spaces

Would local authorities permit it?

⚠️ Device Design

Would realistic-looking guns create concerns?

⚠️ Bystanders

How do you ensure safety and avoid disturbing other visitors?

⚠️ Regulations

Would the UK environment simply be too restrictive?

Personally, I think this sits somewhere between laser tag, paintball and Pokémon Go, and perhaps represents a new category of "social sports" rather than traditional gaming.

I'm curious:

Has anyone seen similar concepts operating successfully in the UK, Europe or North America?

And if you're a shopping centre, park operator or experience venue owner, would you consider hosting something like this?

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Originally published on LinkedIn as part of China Immersive Watch.