Frontgrid, an expert in adventure leisure and virtual reality attractions, will be exhibiting at IAAPA Expo 2021 in Orlando, where it will be showcasing the new ParadropVR Pod. This latest innovation brings the fun of multiplayer gaming to the company’s successful ParadropVR attraction, which can be found in popular venues such as Skytropolis at Genting Highlands Resort, VR Park Dubai and Universe Science Park.
Over the last 18 months, Frontgrid’s R&D team have been working to introduce a compact, portable, attendant-free version, ideal for entertainment centres and arcades, and the result is the ParadropVR Pod.
Attendant-free, group VR experiences
As visitors return to attractions in the wake of the pandemic, the trends for competitive socialising and esports are continuing to grow. Around the world, ParadropVR operators have seen much demand for group gaming experiences as people enjoy sharing moments together once more.
In addition, Facebook’s recent announcement has stirred more interest in multiplayer immersive experiences: in October 2021, there were 2.62 million searches of the term metaverse.
With the new ParadropVR Pod, venues can safely operate the attraction without an attendant, for lower operating costs, and also generate a higher spend per visitor as guests return to compete with friends and beat their previous scores. It will also help operators to share in the $1bn market for esports and group gaming, by putting on events and competitions.
Meeting demand
“ParadropVR is already featured as an anchor attraction in many of the world’s leading indoor theme parks,” says Frontgrid CEO, Matt Wells. “But for a while now, operators have been telling us they want a smaller, attendant-free version of the attraction for family entertainment centres and arcades. We’re excited to be developing a new product designed specifically for this market and are already seeing a lot of interest from operators in the US and the Middle East.
“As the entertainment economy starts to reopen, there’s clearly a huge amount of pent-up demand. But after eighteen months spent playing and interacting online, expectations are higher than ever. With ParadropVR, operators can offer the kind of premium immersive experience today’s consumers demand.
“People want to get back together and have fun. Our new multiplayer flying game takes competitive socialising to a whole new level, making it incredibly easy for operators to attract returning visitors with tournaments and events.
“We can’t wait to see everyone again at IAAPA Expo and are looking forward to some good meetings.”
Wells will be attending IAAPA Expo 2021, for pre-scheduled meetings with operators, which can be booked via email.
Earlier this year, Frontgrid announced that it was working with Oasys MassMotion’s sophisticated pedestrian simulation tool in order to configure the ideal location of its ParadropVR units.
