How to Choose High-ROI Shooting Games for FECs, VR Parks, and Mall Attractions in 2025？

Selecting the right shooting games can determine whether your entertainment venue thrives or struggles. With more families, teens, and tourists seeking immersive experiences, operators must choose machines that balance player appeal, maintenance efficiency, modern gameplay expectations, and above all—return on investment (ROI).

This guide explains exactly how to evaluate shooting games in 2025 and highlights what matters most for FECs, VR parks, shopping malls, scenic attractions, and indoor amusement venues. Whether you are upgrading your current game floor or launching a new location, these principles help you make smarter, data-driven decisions that directly influence your revenue.

Why Shooting Games Remain Top Earners in 2025?

Across global entertainment venues, shooting games continue to outperform due to:

• Fast gameplay cycles → higher throughput

• Broad demographic appeal → kids, teens, adults, families

• Competitive instinct → repeat play and longer engagement

• Easy onboarding → minimal staff involvement

• High visibility → attractive cabinets drive casual foot traffic

But in 2025, the market has shifted. Operators no longer want large, expensive machines with heavy upkeep. Instead, the focus has moved toward smart, compact, VR-enhanced, and automated shooting attractions that offer stronger ROI with lower operational friction.

1. Evaluate the Footprint vs Revenue Potential

In commercial entertainment, every square meter matters. A machine’s ROI is not only about earnings but earnings relative to the space it occupies.

Large Traditional Shooters

• Traditional cabinets like Jurassic Park or House of the Dead offer big presence

• But they require substantial floor space

• Not ideal for malls, small VR parks, or compact FEC layouts

Next-Generation Compact Shooters

Modern systems like Joyfuncade’s 2-Player VR Shooting and VR Warrior Machine deliver immersive experiences while occupying significantly less space.

General Rule for 2025

A small, modern, automated machine often earns more per square meter than a large, traditional shooter.

This is why many venues increasingly favor VR-inspired compact shooters over bulky legacy cabinets.

2. Consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Many operators make the mistake of evaluating only the purchase price.
But the REAL profit comes from controlling long-term costs.

Evaluate these cost factors:

• Maintenance frequency

• Parts replacement

• Gun calibration

• Staffing needs

• Downtime impact

• Cleaning requirements

• Electrical consumption

For example:

Traditional VR headsets

• Require staff

• Need constant cleaning

• Experience faster wear and tear

• Cause longer game loading times

No-Headset VR Systems (e.g., 2-Player VR Shooting)

• Zero headset cleaning

• Faster turnover

• Far fewer mechanical failures

• No staff required to guide players

This single factor dramatically increases ROI, especially for malls and venues with heavy foot traffic.

3. Evaluate the Gameplay Depth and Player Retention

A high-earning shooting game must do more than attract players—it must keep them coming back.

Key Indicators of Good Retention

• Multiple levels or scenarios

• Increasing difficulty

• Engaging scoring system

• Family-friendly yet exciting content

• Replayable missions

• Cooperative or competitive modes

Machines with rich game libraries (e.g., VR Warrior Machine) offer higher lifetime play value compared to older shooters with single fixed storylines.

Pro Tip

The wider the target audience (kids + teens + adults), the higher the long-term returns.

This is a major reason FECs worldwide are shifting toward VR or VR-style shooters with broader age appeal.

4. Look for Payment System Flexibility

In 2025, venues must offer seamless, modern payment options:

• QR code / mobile payment

• WeChat Pay / Alipay (for Asia-Pacific)

• NFC swipe

• Traditional coin systems

• Cashless arcade cards

Machines like Joyfuncade’s 2-Player VR Shooting are already integrated with these systems, ensuring frictionless customer flow and reducing cashier workload.

Machines lacking modern payment compatibility can reduce play volume significantly—especially in shopping malls and tourist areas.

5. Assess Staff Dependence vs Automation

Labor costs continue to rise in almost every market.
As a result, high-ROI venues in 2025 are prioritizing automated machines that operate fully independently.

High-Staff Machines

• Traditional VR rigs

• Booth-style attractions requiring attendants

• Equipment with safety straps or wearable accessories

Low-Staff / No-Staff Machines

• Self-service VR stations

• No-headset VR shooters

• Multi-player arcade shooters with instant drop-in play

For example:

VR Warrior Machine

• Fully automated

• No staff needed

• Suitable even for small venues with limited labor resources

Automation directly translates into higher bottom-line profit.

6. Choose Visually Appealing Machines That Attract Foot Traffic

A shooting game’s cabinet design is more than aesthetics—it determines how many walk-by visitors convert into players.

Elements that attract attention:

• LED light strips and dynamic lighting

• Large HD or curved screens

• Futuristic VR-inspired exterior design

• Clear open layout (people can see what others are playing)

• Sound effects that convey action without being disruptive

This is why machines like the 4-Player Shooting Arcade Machine perform extremely well in malls and open-layout FECs. The cabinet itself functions as a “silent promoter.”

7. Match the Machine to the Venue Type

Different venues have different operational realities. Here’s the quick breakdown:

For FECs

• Mix traditional and modern shooters

• Look for high throughput

• Consider tournaments or group-play machines

• Best picks:
  4-Player Shooting Arcade, 2-Player VR Shooting

For VR Parks

• Choose machines with strong immersion

• Prioritize VR-style content

• Aim for repeat play

• Best picks:
  2-Player VR Shooting, VR Warrior Machine

For Shopping Malls

• Need eye-catching cabinets

• Compact footprint is essential

• Prefer automated machines

• Best picks:VR Warrior Machine, 2-Player VR Shooting

For Scenic Attractions & Tourist Zones

• Machines must operate all day with minimal management

• Content must fit a wide age range

• Best picks:
  2-Player VR Shooting, VR Warrior Machine

8. Compare Classic Arcade Shooters vs New-Generation VR-Style Shooters

Classic Shooters Advantages

• Well-known brands

• Familiar gameplay

• Strong nostalgic appeal

Classic Shooters Disadvantages

• Large footprint

• Aging hardware

• Higher maintenance

• Limited content refresh

• Less profitable in small venues

Next-Generation VR & Hybrid Shooters Advantages

• Modern, futuristic look

• Lower maintenance

• Faster player turnover

• Compact footprint

• Broader audience

• Higher ROI potential

Machines like the 2-Player VR Shooting introduce an entirely new category: VR immersion without VR complications—ideal for 2025 and beyond.

9. How to Calculate ROI for Shooting Games (Simple Formula)?

Here’s a simple and universal calculation for operators:

Daily Revenue Estimate

(Price per play × Plays per hour × Active hours)

Monthly Revenue Estimate

Daily revenue × 30 days

ROI Period

(Purchase cost ÷ Monthly revenue)

Example for a Compact VR Shooter

• $3 per play

• 40 plays per hour (fast cycle)

• 8 active hours/day
  = $960 per day / $28,800 per month
  → Many compact VR shooters reach ROI in months, not years.

Traditional large shooters typically take longer due to:

• slower turnover

• higher maintenance

• larger floor requirements

10. Recommended High-ROI Shooting Solutions for 2025

Based on all criteria above, the following three machines offer the strongest ROI for modern venues:

1. 2-Player VR Shooting

(Next-generation no-headset VR shooter)
Ideal for malls, VR parks, FECs
Fast turnover, low maintenance, modern appearance

2. 4-Player Shooting Arcade Machine

Group engagement powerhouse
Excellent for high-traffic areas and families
Generates strong repeat play

3. VR Warrior Machine

Self-service, automated VR station
Perfect for operators with limited staffing
Reliable performance, kid-friendly content

These three machines directly address 2025 operator challenges—space, labor, maintenance, and revenue expectations.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shooting games in 2025 is no longer just about picking the most famous titles. Operators now prioritize efficiency, automation, compact size, and VR-style immersion that resonates with modern visitors.

By evaluating machines through ROI, footprint, gameplay depth, maintenance needs, and payment flexibility, entertainment venues can make smarter and more profitable decisions.

For operators seeking future-ready shooting solutions, Joyfuncade’s lineup—including the 2-Player VR Shooting, 4-Player Shooting Arcade Machine, and VR Warrior Machine—offers some of the highest-performing options in the market today.

To dive even deeper into today’s most profitable shooting attractions, you can also explore our full breakdown of the Top 10 Best Shooting Games for FECs and VR Parks 2025. It highlights the industry’s leading titles—from classic arcade shooters to next-generation VR systems—helping operators compare gameplay styles, cabinet designs, and revenue performance across different venue types. Reading both guides together gives you a complete picture of how to build a high-performing shooting game lineup that fits your floor space, budget, and long-term strategy.

FAQ 

1. What type of shooting game earns the most in FECs?

Compact VR-style machines with fast turnover generally outperform large single-story shooters.

2. Are VR shooting machines suitable for children?

Yes. Systems like the VR Warrior Machine include kid-friendly games designed for all age groups.

3. What shooting game is best for malls?

Machines with strong visual presence and modern designs, such as the 2-Player VR Shooting or 4-Player Shooting Arcade.

4. How important is maintenance when choosing a shooting game?

Critical. Low-maintenance machines dramatically increase uptime and long-term profits.