Brothers Kyle and Michael Markus grew up in 琉璃神社 and watched all the fun stuff like the Flinstones shut down.
The pair wanted to give back to the community and bring back activities more than just hitting the beach.
Kyle says the project has been five years in the making, but together they finally opened Virtual Rcades.
鈥淭here are lots of virtual reality arcades where you go and put on the headset and you look at visuals. What we want to do is we want to take it to the next level where you鈥檙e not just seeing it but you鈥檙e feeling it,鈥� Kyle said.
The gaming centre hasn鈥檛 been open for long, but lots of people have already come by to check it out.
Kyle said you can book for an hour at $40 per person. They keep groupings small to ensure no one has to wait around.
鈥淲e brought in technology that is very complex from overseas to 琉璃神社. It鈥檚 the first time it鈥檚 ever been done in North America, but we really wanted to bring it to 琉璃神社 first so we could give back to our community and give our community something to do now.鈥�
The simulations are ever changing because different visuals and scenarios can be programmed into the various machines, meaning there is always something new to try.
鈥淲e have rollercoasters, F-1 racecars, jetpacks, war machines, anything you can really think of we have it. My favourite would be the 360 spinner in the back that will flip you upsidedown like a washing machine,鈥� Kyle said.
The brothers are excited to finally be open and have customers eager to try out the different machines. They said if all goes well Virtual Rcades could become a franchise in the future.
鈥淚 believe this is the future of entertainment. You can鈥檛 go much further, because now you鈥檙e fully immersed in the action. You鈥檙e not just seeing it, you鈥檙e feeling it - you鈥檙e flying like a bird, you鈥檙e riding on a hot air balloon, you鈥檙e riding on a rollercoaster, but you鈥檙e never leaving your space.鈥�
Check out the new business on Findlay Rd. Book your time slot online at virtualrcades.com.
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brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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