Cutting-edge content flexibility for location-based experiences, with MGM’s Darren Kopas

As Executive Director of Resort Technology at MGM, Darren Kopas oversees the technical management of a number of key spaces across the hospitality giant’s portfolio. Darren recently sat down with Disguise to chat through some exciting developments happening at MGM - including the evolution of their lobby space, the introduction of their Disguise-powered theatre space for live shows, and the unveiling of an upcoming immersive exhibition space with content created by the Disguise Services team.

“At the MGM properties in Macau, we offer several spaces that integrate art, technology and culture to create a diverse experience for our guests. Three specific venues rely heavily on the capabilities and flexibility provided by Disguise: the Spectacle and the MGM Theatre at MGM COTAI, and the newly launched Fantasy Box at MGM MACAU.

The Spectacle: a 24/7 central hub

When MGM COTAI opened in 2018, the video system in the Spectacle was among the largest of its kind in the world. This 24/7 public space features Macau’s first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title - the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting), uniting various dining outlets, the main hotel lobby, retail shops, and the entrance to the casino. It includes 25 large individual LED displays boasting an area of nearly 1000sqm, with varying aspect ratios integrated into the architectural design. The Spectacle hosts a wide range of events, including orchestral concerts, DJ shows, dance performances, live music, brand partner pop-up experiences, and art installations.

In 2025, we collaborated once again with Disguise to update the entire video system, which included custom development of new operational features for the GX media server platform. This was made possible thanks to the strong relationship between MGM, Disguise, and leading system design consultants and show control specialists, Smart Monkeys.

One of the most exciting parts of this recent collaboration has been the development of new features that give us greater content flexibility than ever before. Being open to the public 24/7 means that we always prioritise guests and their enjoyment of a seamless visual experience when they use the space. Being able to access the newly-developed Look Templates and Disguise Compositions in Designer means we can now execute daily content programming updates more efficiently. New Real-Time Monitoring APIs will give us an in-depth view of our system health, and the integration of Designer with Smart Monkeys' ISAAC will enable us to manage and maintain our video system from a centralised location. These advancements will significantly enhance our operational capabilities and we can’t wait to reap the rewards of this next-level control and flexibility.

Equipment: Phase 1 (2025) - 11x EX 2C; Phase 2 (2026) - 10x GX3 and 15x RXIII

The MGM Theatre: home to technology-driven live shows

The MGM Theatre underwent a complete video system update in late 2024 for the launch of the new resident show MACAU 2049, created by MGM in collaboration with the legendary Chinese director Zhang Yimou. Once again, we partnered with Disguise and Smart Monkeys to develop a video system that met the demands of this technology-driven production while retaining the flexibility needed for artist concerts and high-profile MICE events. By fully updating the Disguise hardware for video playback, MGM is leveraging significant advancements in video technology without disrupting the existing operational model.

Equipment: 6x GX3
 

The ‘Fantasy Box’: an immersive event space

Over at MGM MACAU, we are in the process of completing the ‘Fantasy Box’ -  a brand-new multi-purpose venue designed to host various events, including exhibitions, concerts, conferences, fashion shows and dining experiences. The ‘Fantasy Box’ leverages Disguise’s GX and RX server technology to create a unique entertainment venue in the heart of the Macau marketplace that features over 600 sq. m of LED display.

To utilise this space to its fullest potential and light it up with cutting-edge content, MGM partnered with the Disguise Services team on a series of immersive visuals designed especially for the space. We now have 10 unique looks for different occasions, ranging from an audio-reactive nightclub scene built in Notch to an immersive city experience built in Unreal Engine. Each look includes up to 80 customisable functionalities, like time of day, logo styles, and font types, so the scene can feel a bit different every single day. The experience of working with the creative services team totally exceeded our expectations - we are so pleased with how the space has been brought to life."

Equipment: 7x GX3 and 10x RXIII