EXPERIENCES
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ALL IN THE DATA
According to Statista, annual sales of VR headsets have been rising steadily since 2020, begging the question of whether popularity. In 2024, a predicted 34 million cumulative headsets will have been installed, Covid-19 had any impact on their with Meta’s Quest headsets being the most common. As Vindevogel also suggests, smaller, see greater adoption among both individual consumers as well as corporate customers. As of 2023, the VR lighter and more stylish VR headsets will likely market was worth $15.8 billion, with VR gaming accounting for $2.7 billion, or 17%. That said, the estimated global penetration rate of video games – both physical and digital – was 45%, but only 1.3% for VR hardware. Though it may seem like VR is gaining momentum, this growth will be small while the gadgets maintain a high cost of entry for most users.
NanoClash Focus players can select their avatars before jumping into a session
The expensive nature of VR headsets is a key factor in slow growth among users
niche to the masses. Vindevogel emphasises this point: “Half our customers are women,” he asserts. TECH SPECS The Park VR takes a fully wireless approach, ensuring every experience is mobile and free-roaming. Each activity uses HTC Vive Focus 3 headsets, which work with or without controllers and offer 5K resolution, a 120° field of view and adjustable interpupillary distance (IPD). The headsets also feature 3D spatial audio with directional speaker design for total immersion. “We understand that virtual reality can seem like a daunting concept for some,” says Vindevogel. But using the HTC Vive headsets, he promises a ‘natural feel’ without the weight of a traditional backpack or the infamous cyber- sickness associated with VR goggles. That said, if the experience becomes overwhelming, a staff member is always on hand for support.
immersive and captivating experience’ for those who dare take part, with more screams equalling a lower score. “This interactive audio tracking concept adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge, pushing players to hold their nerve in the face of spooky creatures and eerie forces,” claims Vindevogel. Besides escape rooms, the Park offers battles, adventures and other themed experiences classed by genre – like horror or sci-fi. Another 2023 addition includes NanoClash Focus , “an LBE free-roam VR experience that immerses teams in an interactive sports battle,” Vindevogel describes. This activity more closely resembles a traditional VR-aided video game, ‘showcasing the potential of esports in this space’. The Park VR is, in some ways, reinventing what gaming means to the average person. By combining a welcoming environment with intuitive, beginner-friendly games, The Park is bringing a statistically male-dominated
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