A shopping mall in Shanghai has introduced an unusual feature designed to solve a familiar problem: what to do while waiting during long shopping trips.
At the Global Harbour Mall, visitors can use small glass pods equipped with gaming systems, allowing them to sit inside and play video games while others continue shopping.
The pods, sometimes referred to as “husband storage” or “waiting pods,” were first introduced around 2017 and have continued to attract attention both locally and internationally.
Each unit is fitted with a chair, a screen, controllers and a selection of retro games, often from the 1990s.
Users can step inside, close the glass door, and spend time gaming instead of following shoppers around the mall.
Initially, access to the pods
was free, but some locations have since introduced a small fee for use.
Usage cost estimates posted recently seem to indicate about a dollar per hour; prices can vary.
The idea itself has been met with mixed feedback.
While some users like it and view it positively, others see it otherwise. One user told the BBC, “Really great. I’ve just played Tekken 3 and felt like I was back at school!”
Others, however, have raised concerns about comfort and practicality. One individual remarked about the poor ventilation of the pods, stating, “I sat playing for five minutes and was drenched in sweat.”
It seems like the idea has raised further questions.
Whereas some view it as an innovative means of making shopping trips more convenient and enjoyable according to their preferences, others challenge the very foundation of it.
Similar concepts have appeared in China over the years, including “husband lounges” or rest areas in malls where people can relax, watch television or sit comfortably while waiting.
The gaming pods represent a more tech-driven version of that idea, turning waiting time into an activity rather than idle downtime.
As videos of the pods continue to circulate online, the concept has drawn attention as an example of how retail spaces are adapting to different behaviours — combining entertainment, technology and shopping in new ways.
