A new level of virtual reality is about to be born. Something completely beyond vr platforms like the Virtuix Omni, or the Cyberith Virtualizer. No, we’re talking full immersion – a virtual reality world built on real, physical spaces. This is what The VOID promises to bring. The VOID plans to bring virtual entertainment centers to major cities throughout the world, starting with Pleasant Grove, Utah of all places.
How these virtual entertainment centers will work is this. A player will reserve a game date and time, buying their tickets online. Once there, they will be fitted with a virtual reality headset, a vest with built in haptic feedback, and gloves. The headset will have HD graphics, headphones, and a microphone for in-game communication. The VOID team boasts that these Rapture headsets will give users an even higher quality experience than consumer vr headsets coming out soon (Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, etc.). The VOID vest will feature haptic feedback, which essentially means that every time any object comes into contact with a player, they will feel it. Finally, the VOID gloves will allow for highly accurate hand placement between the physical and virtual worlds. Players will be able to interact with objects like never before.
If the VOID equipment isn’t already impressive enough, the team has one last surprise. They plan to include 4D elements in their entertainment centers. They have made it possible to include smells, and changes in temperature, air pressure, and moisture (Yes, it will rain in The VOID!).
The VOID will feature different rotating experiences. At opening there will be three to choose from, but the team plans to continually bring in new games, much like a movie theater releasing new films. Some of the things it looks like we can expect to play are first-person shooters, role-playing fantasy games, flight fighters, and survival horror. Some of these will be available to play competitively, or cooperatively with friends.
The VOID’s first location in Utah won’t be opening until summer of 2016. That leaves plenty of time to dream of all the things you’ll get to experience there.
[Android Authority] & [The VOID]
