Earning a profit from any form of virtual reality (VR) field isn’t the easest avenue to venture down, especially when it comes to location-based entertainment (LBE). There are several companies tackling this issue from several directions, Zero Latency, for example, provides large warehouse-scale spaces to run around in, while Virtuix compacts the experience via its omnidirectional treadmills and VR Arena. Entermission is new to the space, aiming to disrupt the industry even further by bringing players even closer together to up profitability for LBE businesses.
Taking to TransWorld’s Room Escape Show & Conference in San Antonio, Texas this week, Entermission aims to provide an engaging VR escape room experience without operators needing lots of expensive floor space. It achieves this by using haptic feedback chairs – Buttkicker LFE haptics to be precise – all set in a tight arrangement without impeding gameplay. In conjunction with the chairs, the Entermission system uses HTC Vive Pro headsets as well as Leap Motion hand tracking to solve puzzles.
Called Mission Modules, 6 are designed to work in one area. They also feature environmental effects with wind, heat, and scent generators are programmed to synch with the most dramatic moments in the experience. Of which two are available, Space Heroes and Mad Mind. In Space Heroes players explore a sabotaged space station whilst experiencing zero-gravity flight, shoot lasers, fight against hostile robots, and use telekinesis to solve puzzles and save planet Earth. In Mad Mind players are detectives from the future sent deep into the memories of a maniac to investigate the mysterious kidnapping of a child.
“Lots of VR escape games have been created by VR fanatics and video game companies, but none have addressed the primary problems that escape room operators struggle with,” noted Christal Ho, founder and CEO of Entermission in a statement. “With Entermission we have unlocked an affordable, profitable, easy-to-operate solution to expensive buildouts that create months of downtime, wasted labour resetting rooms after every game, and large spaces dedicated to only a single game.”
Entermission might be a new company but Christal Ho isn’t new to the industry. She owned and operated escape room business Escape Hunt in Australia and New Zealand since 2014. Then in 2017, she co-founded Virtual Reality Room in Sydney, Australia.
Currently only operating in Australia, Entermission is looking for escape room operators and other interested LBE businesses keen to enter the growing VR marketplace. As the company continues to expand, VRFocus will keep you updated.
via Mint VR