Victory Square Technologies Inc (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6) revealed on Tuesday that its portfolio company Fantasy 360 Technologies Inc, which is doing business as Immersive Tech, has hired Steven Dooner, formerly a senior executive with The Void, to lead the firm’s UNCONTAINED virtual reality franchise development.
The Vancouver, British Columbia based group which acquires and invests in startups, said that with over 40-years of Location Based Entertainment (LBE) experience, Dooner will play “a pivotal role” in fulfilling Immersive’s goal of leading the Location-based Virtual Reality (LBVR) industry to new heights.
Dooner brings deep experience as he was previously in charge of development and location deployment at the VOID. He now joins Immersive Tech as director of Franchise Development with the goal of launching the company’s UNCONTAINED location-based VR attractions in the entertainment market.
The virtual reality company said it is “thrilled” to have Dooner join the crew as a “core contributor to its growth initiative and becoming a major asset to the UNCONTAINED franchise.”
UNCONTAINED has been designed to meet demand from the firm’s Family Entertainment Centre clients for coronavirus-safe outdoor attractions. A free-roam VR arcade built into a shipping container, the setup accommodates up to six players whilst providing environmental haptic feedback via blasts of heat and cold, motion floors, and physical object interactions.
While taking the reins of its past competitor, The VOID, and evolving in a new direction, Immersive Tech has mandated Dooner with developmental planning execution and launch of UNCONTAINED across North America.
In a statement, Immersive Tech CEO Tim Bieber said: “Steven Dooner is an exceptional executive with a sincere drive for innovation and progressing the LBE industry forward. With experience spanning over 40-years, from the inception of Chuck E Cheese franchise scale in the mid 70’s to senior positions launching many of Disney’s LBE initiatives, including a $1.5 billion Tokyo Disney park expansion, he is a guru in the industry and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on our team.”
The company noted that Dooner’s prior role as development and deployment chief for The VOID has empowered Immersive Tech with an innovative approach to franchising its attraction. Dooner has worked for franchises like Chuck E Cheese, ESPNZone, and a series of Disney launches such as Club Disney, DisneyQuest, and the major expansion of Tokyo Disneyland.
“His commendable growth management skills, leadership proficiency, and mere mastery of business buildout has fueled Immersive Tech’s confidence to branch out,” said the company.
Meanwhile, Dooner noted that having spent his entire career in this industry, he had seen a variety of innovative concepts come to market.
“In some cases, an existing concept is enhanced and refined to the point where it sets itself apart from the rest. The Uncontained experience is one such concept. Not only do they encompass the latest and best technology, but they have successfully addressed many of the capital and logistical concerns of the operator,” added Dooner.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
-- ADDS comments from Steven Dooner --