Two Bit Circus
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2012
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 1
About Two Bit Circus
Two Bit Circus is a Los Angeles-based entertainment incubator and engineering studio creating shared, technology-driven experiences. Founded in 2012, it combines interactive software, custom hardware, fabrication and live performance to develop location-based entertainment. Its work spans cooperative games, immersive attractions, experiential marketing and educational entertainment, with an emphasis on bringing people together through communal play.
The company develops attractions from initial concepts through engineering, fabrication and deployment. Its capabilities include interactive installations, custom arcade systems, mixed-reality experiences, corporate entertainment and branded pop-ups. Projects combine physical interfaces with digital experiences, giving participants opportunities to compete, collaborate and explore stories together.
From traveling carnival to permanent attractions
An early breakthrough was STEAM Carnival, a traveling event combining lasers, robotics and fire installations with science and arts learning. The company subsequently developed a permanent micro-amusement park format, opening its Los Angeles flagship in September 2018 and a second venue in Dallas in November 2022.
These parks brought together custom midway games, multiplayer virtual reality, independent arcade cabinets and interactive performance spaces. Story Rooms applied technology to cooperative narrative challenges, while Club 01 combined touchscreen participation with live game-show entertainment. Robotic hospitality was another part of the experience, represented by the bartender Gearmo del Pouro.
Attraction development and live experiences
After both permanent parks closed in 2024, Two Bit Circus continued as an entertainment incubator and exhibitor focused on development, fabrication and event-based experiences. Its subsequent work has included a temporary Santa Monica pop-up alongside touring entertainment and custom activations.
The studio's portfolio includes Button Box Battle, a live interactive game-show system; OpenCade, an open-source arcade platform; and DreamPark, a mixed-reality platform developed as an incubation spinoff. Its branded work includes interactive installations and immersive experiences for sports, technology and consumer-facing organizations. Together, these projects reflect an operating model that connects attraction design, physical engineering and participatory entertainment across permanent installations, temporary events and touring formats.
More about Two Bit Circus
Founders and leadership
The research identifies co-founders Brent Bushnell as CEO and Eric Gradman as CTO. Bushnell is an engineer and entrepreneur; Gradman is a roboticist and software developer. They met at the Mindshare LA art-and-technology salon in 2008 and began prototyping interactive games before formally establishing the company.
Production systems
- Button Box Battle supports up to 300 simultaneous players using wireless physical buzzers.
- OpenCade uses a modular cabinet design intended for public exhibits and commercial venues.
- DreamPark's downloadable mixed-reality experiences can be deployed across private venues, outdoor events and festivals.
Education and community
The affiliated Two Bit Circus Foundation is led by Executive Director Dr. Leah Hanes. It develops community makerspaces and repurposes surplus materials for school districts; the report describes its reach as including more than one-third of LAUSD schools.
Recognition
The DTLA Micro-Amusement Park received a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award in 2020.
Corporate milestones
A proposed 2022 transaction with Alpine Acquisition Corporation was terminated in March 2023. An involuntary Chapter 11 petition filed against Two Bit Circus, Inc. on June 18, 2024 was dismissed on November 4, 2024.
Notable credits
13 creditsOffices
Current and former locations of Two Bit Circus
- Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles offices
HeadquartersAbout this office
**Office** Status: active Headquarters Current company headquarters, engineering, custom fabrication and operational base. The report does not establish a current street address. --- **Micro-Amusement Park (DTLA Flagship)** Status: inactive / historical Address: 634 Mateo Street Office webpage: https://twobitcircus.com/projects/micro-amusement-park/ Opened: 2018 Closed: 2024 Former public micro-amusement park in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District; opened in September 2018 and closed to the public in April 2024.
- 8080 Park LnDallas, Texas, United States
Two Bit Circus Dallas
Former officeOpened 2022 · Closed 2024
Former micro-amusement park at The Shops at Park Lane, opened November 18, 2022 and permanently closed in early 2024.
- 1220 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401Santa Monica, California, United States
SideShow Santa Monica
Former officeOpened 2024
Former temporary pop-up arcade, VR lounge and live performance venue directly operated by Two Bit Circus.
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