Location-based virtual reality (VR) startup PlatformaVR opened its first location in Moscow in December 2017, and over the course of 2018 has opened several more venues in the city as well as one in Orlando, Florida in collaboration with MindQuest Escape Games. This month will see the company open its next US-based free-roaming centre at Bally’s Las Vegas.
PlatformaVR is a complete free-roaming VR experience using HTC Vive Pro headsets, Vive Trackers for full-body tracking, and a HP VR Backpack, all useable in a brand new 800-square-foot location inside Avenue’s Shoppes.
“We are thrilled to bring our virtual reality experience to Las Vegas, one of the world’s most famous entertainment destinations,” said PlatformaVR CEO Ilya Kuzyuk in a statement. “PlatformaVR offers fully immersive and smart content filled with social interaction. Players can move freely in the space without the hindrance of wires and work together to navigate through our games.”
There will be three titles available for the locations launch, The Arrival, MATCH, and The Poisoner.
- The Arrival, a saga of space voyagers at an abandoned futuristic station.
- The Poisoner, a detective story of two police officers investigating a series of mysterious
murders. - MATCH, a high-adrenaline combat player-vs-player videogame.
“The opening of Vegas VR powered by PlatformaVR demonstrates our strong commitment to expanding our portfolio of immersive experiences,” said Shaun Swanger, senior vice president of attractions, retail and leasing for Caesars Entertainment. “We do believe that the new location at Bally’s Las Vegas is equipped with the most advanced virtual reality technologies and is the perfect fit with our strategy.”
PlatformaVR has previously mentioned its expansion plans which don’t just include the US. It’s keen to establish new locations in London, UK and Los Angeles, US, as well as other European locations, with a total of 30 arcades planned around the world for 2019.
While some companies are seeing growth and success in the location-based entertainment (LBE) industry when it comes to VR, others aren’t. Last month IMAX closed its pilot VR programme, confirming the last three locations will be shuttered in Q1 2019. As the industry continues to find its feet, VRFocus will bring you the latest news and updates.
via Mint VR