It’s game on, St. Louis.
Activate (8324 Eager, Brentwood)–an entertainment industry leader in immersive, active gaming–has officially arrived in the metro area. The grand opening on November 15 welcomed locals to explore a high-energy experience that blends cutting-edge technology with physical activity.
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“Activate is all about merging the digital and physical worlds in a way that brings people together for a unique, interactive adventure,” said Will Gray, Director of Marketing, in the press release. “St. Louis is the perfect place to launch this kind of experience because of its vibrant community and love for new, engaging activities.”
What is Activate?
Activate is a hub of interactive experiences designed to keep players on their toes. Each of the 13 micro-arenas at the St. Louis location features multiple game modes with challenges ranging from beginner-friendly Level 1 to extreme Level 10.
Kendall Wedemeier, Activate’s general manager for St. Louis, described it as “a place where you’re not just playing the game—you are the game. You’re the controller. You’re running, jumping, solving puzzles, and strategizing—all in real-time. There’s truly nothing like it out there.”
From the now-viral Mega Grid, a tech-savvy spin on The Floor Is Lava, to Strike, where players battle incoming asteroids with pinpoint accuracy, Activate caters to gamers of all kinds. Families will love sensory-friendly games like Press, which tasks players with matching patterns on a wall of illuminated buttons, while thrill-seekers can dodge lasers like spies in an action movie.
“Every game here offers something special,” Wedemeier says. “My personal favorite is Strike. There’s just something so satisfying about throwing a ball to smash asteroids while testing your reaction time. It brings me back to my softball days!”
Why St. Louis?
St. Louis was an intentional choice for Activate’s expansion, Wedemeier explains. “This city is full of life and has such a strong sense of community,” she says. “We wanted to be part of that. We’re not just here to offer entertainment—we want to make a meaningful impact on the community and be a space where people create lasting memories.”
The company has partnered with the Webster Groves Chamber of Commerce and plans to roll out local outreach initiatives as well.
“We’re here to change the game—literally,” Wedemeier says. “Activate is about breaking barriers in entertainment, creating experiences that are as thrilling as they are memorable. I can’t wait to see how St. Louis embraces it.”
Insider tips for your first visit
For those stepping into Activate for the first time, Wedemeier shared some pro tips to maximize the fun:
- Gather a group: “Activate is always more fun with friends,” she says. Teams of 2–5 players can work together in cooperative modes or compete head-to-head in others.
- Dress to move: With physical challenges woven into every game, guests should prepare for an energetic workout. “We’ve had people tell us they swapped their gym routines for Activate,” Wedemeier adds with a laugh.
- Ease in–then level up: New players should start at Level 1 to get the hang of the mechanics, but seasoned gamers will appreciate the increasing difficulty as they climb to Level 10.
Families should note the recommended age for players is 7 and up, with younger children requiring an adult in the room for safety. Activate also has options designed for birthday parties, field trips, date nights, and family nights.
