Earlier this year VRFocus reported on Frontgrid, a specialist in global leisure and attractions, would be launching its first virtual reality (VR) experience ParadropVR at Universe Science Park in Denmark this Spring. Now the company has revealed ParadropVR will be coming to the UK, care of iFLY Indoor Skydiving this summer.
iFLY is one of the world’s largest indoor skydiving company’s with 37 centres around the world in the UK, Europe, Asia and USA. ParadropVR will be based at iFLY’s Basingstoke branch, offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in a paragliding experience that features realistic flight controls combined with a VR headset.
“Our goal has always been to make the dream of flight a reality by giving our customers ‘wings’ in a safe and fun environment,” said iFly UK CEO Simon Ward in a statement. “Flying a performance paragliding canopy offers a unique way to experience the thrill of flying, and we’re pleased to be working with Frontgrid to offer this new attraction. The iFly team were immediately impressed by the compulsive experience offered by Paradrop VR.”
ParadropVR has been designed to be modular, ideal for operation in a wide range of venues such as theme parks, FECs, museums, shopping malls and destination attractions. Frontgrid has been working with UK VR partner Simworx on the attraction which has a gaming element to make the attraction more competitive.
“ParadropVR will introduce a new, high energy social experience to iFly, who recognise the potential for growth in adventure-based activities and opportunity presented by VR attractions,” adds Matt Wells, co-founder and CEO of Frontgrid. “We’re pleased to be helping the world’s largest indoor skydiving company open-up new revenue streams, and look forward to introducing ParadropVR to new audiences.”
iFLY Indoor Skydiving isn’t new to the world of VR as it already runs the iFLY 360 Virtual Reality Experience, which combines an indoor skydive with the thrill of a simulated ‘real’ skydive from a plane. VRFocus will continue its coverage of ParadropVR, reporting back with any further announcements.