CONDUCTR has collaborated with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to create Glow Court, the world’s first outdoor digital LED sports court, aboard Norwegian Aqua. This experience is redefining outdoor cruise entertainment by transforming the top deck to deliver sports, gaming and immersive experiences within a single dynamic environment. Glow Court is a first-of-its-kind outdoor digital arena where guests play directly on a fully interactive LED floor and adjacent LED wall, with real-time reactive media immersing them into the action. The court responds to players through native interactivity, with no need for wearables, headsets or handheld devices.
Delivering this world-first experience meant overcoming significant technical challenges. No existing LED technology could meet the demands of open-air maritime use, from saltwater corrosion to direct sun exposure and constant foot traffic. CONDUCTR developed a bespoke LED display technology that is marine-grade, impact-resistant and fully weatherproof. Adding interactivity to an outdoor LED installation required an equally innovative approach. CONDUCTR created a two-tiered proprietary motion tracking system that dynamically and accurately follows every guest movement. Using advanced sensors and CONDUCTR’s custom software engine, the system enables native interaction, so the technology is invisible, and players engage instinctively.
Glow Court delivers a diverse range of experiences, from sports-themed skill games to immersive fitness challenges and original digital gameplay. The experience is operated by the guests who choose from a library of dynamic activities, effortlessly switching between traditional sports overlays, original gaming media and vibrant entertainment scenarios at the touch of a button, powered by CONDUCTR’s proprietary software engine. The immersive medium has been designed and produced by CONDUCTR around three key principles: momentum, delivering quick and interactive experiences, encouraging group play and communication and meaning, creating memorable moments that encourage repeat experiences. Within the games, guests are further immersed in the action through interactive elements, including haptic feedback, dynamic lighting and augmented reality media overlays. The court’s design optimises ship space, utilising the underused top deck to draw guests into an interactive and social hub. Guests can book 15-minute sessions, with flexible extensions based on availability, ensuring accessible and personalised experiences.
Peter Cliff, CEO and Co-Founder of CONDUCTR, explains: “Glow Court is the world’s first active entertainment platform of its kind. It’s not just a sports court; it’s a fully interactive space that transforms in seconds, switching between games, fitness challenges and real-time content with the tap of a button. Powered by our own LED surface technology and motion tracking, Glow Court brings real gameplay to life without the need for wearables. Players can dive into fast-paced games like Volcano (our take on Basketball’s Horse) or Wall Ball (a high-energy football drill) or take part in group fitness challenges that blend physical movement with quick thinking. Up to 15 people can play at once, and the system is tough enough to handle the harshest conditions, including outdoors, at sea and in marine environments where corrosion is a real issue.”
Jos Van Der Steen, COO and Co-Founder of CONDUCTR, adds: “Innovation isn’t just about pushing boundaries. It’s about delivering scalable, commercially viable solutions that enhance guest experiences while making operational sense. Glow Court is a major step forward in how interactive technology is integrated into high-traffic outdoor environments. Developing a system that is durable, seamless and intuitive meant rethinking everything from software engineering to hardware resilience. We’ve built a flexible, high-impact solution that transforms underused spaces into valuable guest experiences, proving that innovation and practicality can work hand in hand.”
