Regal Entertainment Group, in partnership with IMAX, has unveiled the new IMAX VR Centre at Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 & RPX in Times Square, New York City. Regal’s new IMAX Centre is one of only six in the world, inviting guests to partake in virtual reality (VR) experiences, including movie entertainment content and videogames.
The IMAX VR experience is now available at E-Walk, with a variety of out-of-home experiences and technologies available including 360-degree sound and sophisticated room tracking. The Centre, which will be located on the fourth floor of the Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 multiplex, employs a new design to allow multiple players to enjoy interactive VR experiences in a social environment. The Centre will consist of two “pods,” which are designed to optimise user mobility and interaction in virtual environments and can be adapted for specific content experiences, both single- and multiplayer, as well as a GloStation, a new escape room VR experience that allows up to four players at a time to compete as a unit with free-roam mobility.
“Regal strives to offer the ultimate in cutting-edge technology, and this VR Centre is unlike anything our guests have experienced,” said Ken Thewes, Chief Marketing Officer at Regal Entertainment Group. “Our partnership with IMAX allows us to offer virtual reality options that are in high demand with today’s movie fans, and create bigger and better opportunities for our guests. The IMAX VR Centre is a huge technological leap, and a fantastic advance for the Regal experience.”
“We look forward to expanding our longstanding partnership with Regal to usher in the next evolution of immersive entertainment – starting with the launch of IMAX VR at one of its most prominent multiplexes,” said Mark Welton, President, IMAX Theatres. “As one of the most heavily trafficked tourist destinations in the world, Times Square is an ideal location to introduce IMAX VR to a wide range of audiences from all over the world.”
The VR Centre will continually feature an array of new interactive content experiences that are each expected to range between eight and 15 minutes in length. Additional IMAX VR Centres are planned for 2018, and VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details.