I have been a huge of VR fan since inception and having worked on some really cool projects including science,health,fitness and more over the years alongside trying out the latest hardwear too it had me sold.. However it has died to some extent over the last year or so and I lost interest mainly now because the focus on AR MR and AI which is fine and great but VR has much more to offer than one might seem and after testing out the latest idea called Zero Latency this changes everything in more ways than one and could be the next big thing…
Zero Latency officially opened on Wednesday and due to work commitments I could not make it in before the opening day and boy if there is a time to say “better late than never” this is it. I arrived in anyhow on the launch day and it was an experience I will not forget in a hurry and it is not often I get to say that something new in tech is mind blowing.
Zero Latency is based in Sandyford Dublin which for some might be a distance for some to travel but it will be worth it,trust me and it is a free roam VR environment with proprietary games, this is a custom built setting with the best equipment there is at hand and it also has miles of CAT 6 cable from talking to the owner RONAN CUNNINGHAM afterwards who shared some insights and thoughts about going forward and indeed the idea itself and all in which I agree on and looking ahead this is an exciting idea on many fronts.
On arriving you will be greeted by the team and you will sign in and from even here its technical with cool looking tablets and a cool interface yet simple then you get a session with on safety your Leader which is all pretty simple and straight forward yet worth noting as this is really immersive and there is good reason for the age cap at under 13s You will see some health clauses but nothing to serious and you are good to go so just be wise and adhere to the briefing for your own good.
We tried two games on the night and even the basic game left me leaving with a smile on how good it was executed.  So the equipment is whats next.. You get the best there is A Backpack,VR headset, Controller and Headphones which all work together quite well with great sound,feedback and makes it feel like you are there..
Once suited and booted you are good to go.. You walk into the arena and when the headsets are turned on begin to be amazed……
First up was Engineerium which reminded me of Kula World for some reason but this is a walking adventure and puzzle experience set on a fantastical ancient alien world, suspended above an ocean, where gravity does not function as expected.
Walk among flying whales and parrot rays and connect the platforms to progress through the puzzle. Colourful characters and bright, friendly music accompany you on the journey. Teamwork is key in this unique virtual reality game that lets you walk up and down ramps and twisty, curvy walls, defying gravity. Engineerium is suitable for all ages and is the first game to use VR to experience physics-based puzzles. For me this game is the ideal entry level experience as it will give you a feel for VR if you have not tried it and you would be surprised how many have not and if you are not sold after this game,you need to get out some more… Given how this game looks simplistic its how immersive it is and how you react to the environment around you its just great..
Second game we tried was Zombie Survival – Your team is trapped, bunkered in a fort, amidst the chaos brought on by a zombie outbreak. A rescue team is on its way but you must defend the fort and hold on until they arrive. You and your team must put down wave after wave of zombies and rebuild barriers to protect yourselves while you wait. Again this is like any FPS game but this is more a team event rather than a single player. You get to experience close up encounters with Zombies go up and down elevators and use multiple weapons with great accuracy I might add and overall a really enjoyable game..In this game communication with your team is important
When you are done you get a debrief/rundown of your scores on screen in another room on the way out and not only that you get these emailed to you so you can keep tabs and improve the next time around again this is in a stylish setting and overall pretty cool..
Why is this better than gaming at home??
OK I was once a HUGE gaming fan and now have little time to do it but do get some hours in on the weekends and I still actually use the Nintendo Wii for fitness and a non lazy couch approach,not that there is anything wrong with it that’s just my opinion..This is a great idea for getting out and a way of getting exercise too and in today’s world it gives the social element too it and you will not realise how much running and walking around you will do playing these games where as you can to an extent in your house, Your gaming space at home is no match for this full stop.. You could argue you can communicate today whilst gaming online but that is a moot point in my book because we are too busy with our heads shoved into a TV screen or mobile phone this idea gets you out and face to face and also there is an exercise element thrown in.. Trust me its worth it..
The Price..
OK so you will hear the cheapskates whinge and moan because its €39 to play.. Get a grip folks.. This is the only experience of its kind here in Ireland simple as that. This is a new experience and perhaps not so much for current gamers but once you try it you will want more, For those who have not tried VR this will open up your mind as to what the future has on offer and what you have missed since VR came to fruition, Zero Latency is on the cusp of something bigger and better and mark my words when you try this you will thank me for it…So get out of your screens and get social,enjoy and exercise whilst at it..
ZERO LATENCY – https://zerolatencyvr.ie/