The Void offers next-gen virtual reality gaming experience
POSTED 13 May 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Void will transport users to completely virtual worlds, using haptic technology to create an immersive experience Credit: The Void
A multi-million dollar visitor attraction coming in 2016 looks set to change the face of virtual reality, offering a first-of-its-kind, next-gen, immersive gaming experience.
Incorporating VR technology, motion simulators and real-world environments, The Vision Of Infinite Dimensions (Void) will allow visitors to fight dragons, explore enchanted forests, engage in space battles, explore haunted castles and much more.
Powered by the Unity engine – the world’s most popular game development software – The Void will use custom optics, head-tracking sensors, microphones for communication and 3D sound to provide an immersive experience. Custom-designed Rapture headset, vest and gloves will provide haptic feedback to users, allowing interaction with the virtual world around them.
While in The Void, guests will enter seven different 60sq ft (5.6 sq m) gaming pods that can be configured in an unlimited number of ways to create an experience in-line with the chosen game. In these game pods, real and haptic environments will be employed, including elevation changes, touching structures and objects, vibrations, air pressure changes, temperature changes and simulated smells. The pods create the ability for users to explore miles and miles of terrain or ascend incredibly tall structures without ever leaving the gaming pods.
The experience will also include two-person capacity simulators able to perform 360º motion of three axis rotations. Utilising the Rapture headset, the simulators will be able to offer total immersion for experiences including aircraft dogfights, ground transport, mech battles, submersible exploration and more.
“There isn’t any way to be able to go out and create the full potential of virtual reality in the home market,” said entrepreneur Ken Bretschneider, creator of The Void. “It became really apparent to me that we needed to build a facility where people could come to and not have to worry about hooking up virtual reality, making it work and trying to run around inside their house.”
Bretschneider has so far invested US$13m (€11.5m, £8.3m) into the project and development of the VR technology. The Virtual Entertainment Centres, according to The Void’s website, will first debut in Pleasant Grove, Utah in Q3 2016, with further centres opening in “major cities throughout North and South America, Asia, Europe and Australia.”
Rapture technology will power the experience Credit: The Void
The centre will incorporate a range of immersive environments Credit: The Void
The first centre comes to Pleasant Grove, Utah in 2016 Credit: The Void
PROJECT PROFILE:
The Void A multi-million euro visitor attraction coming in 2016 looks set to change the face of
virtual reality, offering a first-of-its-kind, next-gen, immersive gaming experience.
A Ukraine-based development company has revealed plans for a an interactive
entertainment attraction that works with a virtual reality headset and a gamepad to
deliver a full-motion interactive experience.
Google-backed virtual reality company Magic Leap has unveiled its latest product, which
shows its office turned into an robot-populated first person shooter.
Walt Disney Imagineering creative technologies lead, Bei Yang, has given insight into what
the entertainment giant thinks of virtual reality and its plans for the future, shying away
from the popular headset model and instead looking at the potential for a fully immersive
virtual environment.
Apple has taken its first steps into the world of virtual reality after winning a patent for a
wireless virtual reality headset used in conjunction with the iPhone handset.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
The Void offers next-gen virtual reality gaming experience
POSTED 13 May 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Void will transport users to completely virtual worlds, using haptic technology to create an immersive experience Credit: The Void
A multi-million dollar visitor attraction coming in 2016 looks set to change the face of virtual reality, offering a first-of-its-kind, next-gen, immersive gaming experience.
Incorporating VR technology, motion simulators and real-world environments, The Vision Of Infinite Dimensions (Void) will allow visitors to fight dragons, explore enchanted forests, engage in space battles, explore haunted castles and much more.
Powered by the Unity engine – the world’s most popular game development software – The Void will use custom optics, head-tracking sensors, microphones for communication and 3D sound to provide an immersive experience. Custom-designed Rapture headset, vest and gloves will provide haptic feedback to users, allowing interaction with the virtual world around them.
While in The Void, guests will enter seven different 60sq ft (5.6 sq m) gaming pods that can be configured in an unlimited number of ways to create an experience in-line with the chosen game. In these game pods, real and haptic environments will be employed, including elevation changes, touching structures and objects, vibrations, air pressure changes, temperature changes and simulated smells. The pods create the ability for users to explore miles and miles of terrain or ascend incredibly tall structures without ever leaving the gaming pods.
The experience will also include two-person capacity simulators able to perform 360º motion of three axis rotations. Utilising the Rapture headset, the simulators will be able to offer total immersion for experiences including aircraft dogfights, ground transport, mech battles, submersible exploration and more.
“There isn’t any way to be able to go out and create the full potential of virtual reality in the home market,” said entrepreneur Ken Bretschneider, creator of The Void. “It became really apparent to me that we needed to build a facility where people could come to and not have to worry about hooking up virtual reality, making it work and trying to run around inside their house.”
Bretschneider has so far invested US$13m (€11.5m, £8.3m) into the project and development of the VR technology. The Virtual Entertainment Centres, according to The Void’s website, will first debut in Pleasant Grove, Utah in Q3 2016, with further centres opening in “major cities throughout North and South America, Asia, Europe and Australia.”
A Ukraine-based development company has revealed plans for a an interactive
entertainment attraction that works with a virtual reality headset and a gamepad to
deliver a full-motion interactive experience.
Google-backed virtual reality company Magic Leap has unveiled its latest product, which
shows its office turned into an robot-populated first person shooter.
Walt Disney Imagineering creative technologies lead, Bei Yang, has given insight into what
the entertainment giant thinks of virtual reality and its plans for the future, shying away
from the popular headset model and instead looking at the potential for a fully immersive
virtual environment.
Apple has taken its first steps into the world of virtual reality after winning a patent for a
wireless virtual reality headset used in conjunction with the iPhone handset.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a
central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.