A virtual reality gaming center is coming to Cleveland later this month, making it the one of the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio.
Zero Latency, a wireless virtual reality experience, will be opening at Boss Pro-Karting at 18301 Brookpark Road on Friday, Feb. 25. Only ten other locations from the Melbourne, Australia-based VR company Zero Latency are currently open in the United States.
«We wanted to bring high-end adrenaline activities to Cleveland,» said Boss Pro-Kart co-owner Brad Copley. «With us already having high speed-karting and axe throwing, this new venture falls in line with our core of bringing adrenaline-focused activities to groups.»
Copley, who started the business with his cousin Lee Boss, said that the 2,500-square-foot project represents more $1 million in investment.
Weston Inc., a Cleveland-based real estate property ownership company, owns the VR facility that Zero Latency is planned for. Virtuix, a company that specializes in gaming treadmills and has seen investment from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, is also involved with the project.
Financing was also received from People’s Bank, with construction being completed by Weston, Janotta & Herner, and Medina-based JHI Group, in addition to other subcontractors.
«People are dabbling in what in means to enter into a new world in a gaming sense,» Copley said. «The ability to experience it with other people is something special.»
There are more than eight experiences to choose from in the Zero Latency VR experience, ranging from puzzles to cooperative stands against zombies to competing against other players in teams of four. Far Cry, a gaming franchise from Ubisoft that has sold more than 20 million units worldwide, will have an exclusive VR version only playable in similar facilities.
«It’s about a group experience rather than a gaming one,» Copley said. «It’s amazing, your heart is racing, whether you’re battling zombies or trying to save the starship or save puzzles. It feels so real, it’s amazing.»
A couple other VR concepts are still active in the area. Maverick VR brings virtual reality experiences to large-scale events, and Scene75’s arcade in Brunswick also has a virtual reality room.
Some concepts failed early, such Parma’s VR Rage, which permanently closed shortly after its opening in 2017. Navasa’s Nail Spa now occupies that location at 10239 Brookpark Road.
«Most people have some idea of virtual reality, but they’ve never been able to experience it without a group and without wires,» Copley said. «You can wander and walk through that space unimpeded. The system immerses you completely into the game.»
New staff will be hired to help operate the game, doubling the total staff number to 20 employees.
Tickets for the experience will start at $45 per person, which will cover one 45-minute session in the VR facility. Walk-ins and pre-purchase options are available.
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