Jora Vision, a leading design and production company, has announced that an evolution in minigolf is now open at Dama Factory in Deauville, France. The company, which has more than three decades of experience in the design, development and delivery of immersive experiences, is celebrating the opening of the first RemarkaBall minigolf location. Now, in Deauville’s former tennis club, there are nine unique holes spread out over approximately 250 square metres.
“We’re delighted to bring the first interactive mini golf to France in our brand new FEC in Normandy,” says Thibault Lievre, COO of Dama Dreams. “The collaboration with Jora Vision was very exciting to give birth to this new product. It’s interactive, accessible to all, and the guest response has been incredible all summer long. Mini golf of the 21st century has finally arrived!”
The rise of competitive socialising
The venue opened on 1 July 2022 and is aligned with the growing trend for social entertainment. Guests can also enjoy a restaurant and bar, following the move towards combined retail and social entertainment that is being seen across the industry. Generally, there is no longer such a strict demarcation between solely retail (only shopping), food and beverage (only eating) or leisure (only activity) venues.
This new breed of entertainment venues instead offers a mixed-use setting, where visitors can enjoy lifestyle brands, quality food & beverage and active social experiences. These are ideal for many different types of visitors, both locals and tourists, from young adults to families. This new type of set-up is a space for social gatherings, sharing, hangouts, and competitive socialising.
Introducing RemarkaBall
RemarkaBall is a unique gamified experience with state-of-the-art tech, software and cooperative gameplay. It reinvents the way minigolf is played, enhancing it beyond a simple game of putting skills, instead immersing players in a social game of trust, luck, speed, physics, wits and sheer unpredictability.
Guests can experience new features such as time battles, physical challenges, point multipliers, questionnaires and timed shots. The game currently has a library of 18 modern-style holes, all of which are designed to provide different gameplay from the traditional minigolf model. Users can mix and match the courses to build a one-of-a-kind minigolf experience. In addition, the courses include interactive lighting and audiovisual animations, which keep players engaged throughout.
The game of minigolf has always been part of Jora Vision’s DNA, with the company having created more than 30 turnkey minigolf experiences to date. It was even the company behind the first and only minigolf attraction ever to have won a TEA Thea Award by the Themed Entertainment Association, The Forgotten Mine for Center Parcs Molenheide.
Shane Lieberman is a project advisor at Jora Vision. He says: “We keep on innovating, and our great designers at Jora Vision are always looking for opportunities to bring new minigolf experiences to the world. An interactive technology-driven minigolf experience was the obvious next step in the digital age we live in today. And because RemarkaBall is software-driven, we can roll out updates to keep improving the gameplay even further.”
A unique concept
Visitors log into each RemarkaBall course using an RFID wristband, and the system then guides them through that course, whether that specific one is based on time or on the number of putts. Their scores are tracked throughout, so groups can keep score and see who emerges as the winner, without needing to keep score themselves on paper.
Some holes also call for multiple players, thus enhancing the group dynamic and making the game more engaging through cooperative gameplay. As there are many different variables in the game, the winner needs to demonstrate a diversity of skills, meaning the outcome is more unpredictable. This in turn boosts repeat visits.
RemarkaBall is a less capital-intensive option than traditional minigolf. Because of the way that the holes are developed, operators can offer their guests a full nine-hole experience with a limited footprint and at a reasonable price. Minigolf has always been a steady investment with its low operation cost and high capacity, but RemarkaBall opens up new revenue possibilities by appealing to a broader audience than traditional minigolf.
The game is ideal for kids and families but also appeals to those age groups that demand more challenging and interactive experiences, such as young adults. This also creates additional revenue opportunities in food and beverage.
Jan Maarten de Raad, CEO at Jora Vision says: “We are excited to see the uprise of retail and social entertainment. This creates exciting new venues and other types of leisure experiences for which RemarkaBall is a perfect fit.”
The company also acknowledges partners Dama Dreams and Lagotronics Projects, the media-based attractions specialist, for helping to bring the first RemarkaBall installation to life.
To try the new concept, visit Jora Vision at IAAPA Expo Europe 2022, which takes place in London from 13 – 15 September. The team will be at booth #3021.
Earlier this month, Jora Vision also revealed more details about its recent project at VinWonders Phú Quốc, a highly-themed indoor suspended family coaster called Eagle Warrior. The coaster was designed and produced by Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist, and features a fully custom-designed creative concept by Jora Vision, produced by Unite Art.
