Location-based entertainment (LBE) is a growing sector within the virtual reality (VR) industry, and a natural subsection of that are esports. During the annual Paris Games Week (PGW) event last month Esports Virtual Arenas (EVA) debuted a 1,000 square meter stadium designed to host VR competitions.
EVA’s VR Esports Stadium concept is built around the premise of competitive player vs player experiences which can also be viewed by large, physically present crowds. While the initial debut featured a 1,000 sq meter stadium at PGW 2019, the concept can be tailored to suit a range of factors, from location size to number of players.
The EVA stadium can be scaled from 400 m2 (4,300 ft2) to 3000 m2 (32,000 ft2), accommodating a maximum of 30 players at once. When it comes to the public, 500 spectators can be seated around the arena to witness every move the competitors make in the stadium as well as watching their in-game actions displayed on gigantic screens hung in the centre. Additionally, matches can also be live-streamed for fans online.
At PGW 2019, EVA held competitive 4v4 matches using a specifically reworked version of the VR title After-H. Built when EVA used to be called SmartVR Studio, After-H was designed specifically for LBE venues but the developer decided to expand that support to home headsets in September. So After-H can currently be found on Steam Early Access as a free download for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality and Valve Index headsets.
EVA is offering a turnkey solution for those interested in implementing the concept which includes exclusive videogames, equipment and structures, building a facility in three months. The company plans on opening the first EVA VR Stadiums to the public during 2020 in France as well as internationally.
Having originally started out as SmartVR Studio developing Top Floor, a VR experience about fear of heights and After-H, the company rebranded as Esports Virtual Arenas (EVA), receiving €2m EUR from the Trust Esport Venture fund to develop its stadium idea.
As and when the stadium concept becomes publicly available VRFocus will let you know. Or for LBE action now, then check out Godzilla VR in London, UK or Terminator: Guardian of Fate at Dave & Buster’s locations in the US.