SEGA & Sonic Pursuing "Location-Based Entertainment" in the U.S

News from from Sonic Stadium:

Don't pack your bags quite yet, but it looks like SEGA finally wants a meatspace presence in the U.S.. In an interview with Attractions Magazine, Roberta Perry, president of a "themed entertainment" company, stated that she's currently working with SEGA for their first efforts in bringing "location-based entertainment" to the U.S..

  Quote

I’m also working with SEGA on some great projects. This is the first time they’ve been in the location-based entertainment marketplace in the United States—a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog.  

Now, what this means could be anything. "Location-based entertainment" and "themed entertainment" cover a very broad range of possible things, from full-on theme parks, to specialty immersive theaters, to high-end VR rides, to pop-up meet-and-greets.

In fact, Perry cites a mascot meet-and-greet at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo to highlight Sonic's all-ages appeal.

  Quote

I have absolutely fallen in love with that character, and I’ve watched what happens in our lounge at IAAPA.

SEGA has a lounge there, and we brought in Sonic for two days. He attracted both little kids and big kids—the bottom line was that you just needed to be a 10-year-old. There’s just something about that blue furry Sonic that is so loving. So, if I could be a walk-around character, I’d be Sonic because then I could attract everyone from 6 years old to 100. My friends in this industry and I are all 10 years old at heart.

Though most readers will readily cite amusement centers like Alton Towers, Joyopolis, and the recent dedicated brand store, but whatever this(these) project(s) is(are), it wouldn't technically be the first in the U.S.. SEGA has previously facilitated several pop-up Sonic cafes around other events, and even a Fearless Year of [Shadow] Motorcycle Tours.

Though with Sonic's popularity on the rise in recent years, one hopes for something a little grander, and perhaps a bit more permanent.

What you think?