Virtual reality offers numerous options for entertainment, interactive fun, exploration and education.
Those looking to take advantage of this technology in Cayman are in luck, as The Matrix in West Shore Center offers more than 150 games in 20 categories, ranging from escape rooms and sports to music and fight games, and everything in between.
Owner Ken Moore was introduced to virtual reality on a family vacation to Canada a couple of years ago with his wife and daughter.
“We were amazed by how fun it was for all three of us, despite the age differences, how easy it was to play and how fully immersive the experience is,” remembers Ken. “Within a minute of playing, all three of us were navigating around the multiplayer family game and we felt like we were inside the game.
“Being a pretty technologically minded person, what I took away from playing was my preconception that VR was an expensive, niche toy for hardcore gamers. Once I played and researched VR, I realised how wrong my preconception was.”
What followed was a deep dive into VR, with Ken researching the technology, speaking to VR business owners and managers, and hiring a VR design consultant as well as a experienced VR manager to help set up The Matrix.
RANGE OF EXPERIENCES
Many people may believe that shooting games are the main, or only, option when it comes to VR. But Ken explains that the technology offers so much more.
“It offers amazing 360-degree immersive and interactive educational experiences; unique travel experiences like visiting the top of Mount Everest, Paris, being inches away from wild animals in the African plains, visiting the ISS in space, etc.; VR fitness apps – which are a real workout; and VR relaxation apps, which is like a spa day for your mind in 30 minutes,” he explains.
THE SPACE
The Matrix is approximately 2,000 square feet, and also showcases products from Big Boy Toys, which sells electric cars, aeroplanes, drones, boats and electric scooters.
The gaming space itself has three areas for play. The Focus Zone caters for individuals or groups of up to eight to play at once, conquering escape rooms, visiting underwater locations, kayaking, playing laser tag, boxing or escaping from zombies. The Focus Zone also allows for freeroam group play for up to eight players at the same time in the same game.
The Experience Zone has room for six players, with both standing and sitting options. It is ideal for driving, flying or rollercoaster games, or travel, educational and relaxation apps. It also has music apps such as Beat Sabre, and sports, including tennis, climbing, golf, mini-golf, bowling, light sabre battles, tag and ping pong, for individual or small group play.
The Hero Zone provides for group play for three to six players within the same experience in a free-roam area. Each zone offers different types of VR experiences and interaction.
Anyone 8-years-old and older can participate at The Matrix, and Ken says it is also perfect for those with physical limitations.
“VR is a perfect way for older people or those with physical limitations to have freedom of movement and interactivity in a way that they may not be able to have any longer,” he says. “For this demographic, VR is mentally invigorating and makes them feel decades younger.”
THE FUTURE OF VR
Ken believes that soon VR will be used by businesses for employee training and interactive mixed reality business meetings.
“In turn, VR as a business tool will make it easier for businesses and staff to interact and grow, and reduce the need for travelling for work, and save companies huge amounts of money,” he says. “This is where the real future in VR is – it will impact business as much as a smart phone did.”
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of What’s Hot magazine.
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