Al Hokair Group is carving a niche in the UAE gaming market, by lunching a fully-immersive VR Gaming Zone in the country. Mishal Al Hokair, Deputy CEO & General Manager – Entertainment, Al Hokair Group, speaks to Anita Joseph about the future of the VR Gaming industry and what the new launch means for the company in particular.
What does launch of the VR Gaming Zone in the UAE mean, for the Al Hokair Group?
Virtual Reality (VR) is the future of gaming and we consider Sparky’s VR Zone an added value to our Sparky’s Family entertainment centres. We expect brilliant success for this project which is launched in Abu Dhabi, followed by a series of launches all across Saudi Arabia.
How would you describe the regional VR Gaming market in the region?
VR Gaming has been a revelation for the entertainment and leisure industry in the UAE. Despite only becoming popular around five-years ago, VR Gaming has taken no time at all to evolve and is growing in popularity by the minute, with 2019 set to mark a watershed in its development.
Technology in gaming: How much has it changed over time?
The gaming industry has advanced in giant leaps over the past two decades as technology has continuously improved. Original video games were two-dimensional; you were able to move characters in a few different directions (mainly up, down, forward and backward), yet as graphic software began to improve in the 1990’s, so too did 3D design capabilities. Practically all modern games are designed in 3D for a more dynamic and impressive looking world, which has given way to realistic animations that offer an unparalleled in-game experience.
What are some of the main attractions of the VR Zone? What can we expect?
Sparky’s VR Zone offers a range of truly unique and fully-immersive games and experiences, which can be enjoyed by everyone (6+). Thanks to state-of-the-art cinema pods, motion simulators and wrap-around sound, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. Here is just some of what you can experience:
Chimpact World Rally – Race around awesome circuits in this animated, fun VR racing simulated game. Collect bunches of bananas in each stage and explore every nook and cranny to find hidden gems as you discover secret paths, avoid obstacles and time your jumps in this exciting jungle adventure.
Swimming with Humpbacks – Dive deep into the South Pacific Ocean and swim with some of nature’s most breathtaking mammals. Featuring incredible footage of a mother giving birth and bonding with her calf, swimming with Humpbacks is the first instalment of the planned Immotion Blue Ocean Series.
Raw Data – Pulsating action gameplay, intuitive controls and challenging enemies will completely immerse you within the surreal world of Eden Corp. Go solo or team up and become the adrenaline-charged heroes of your own futuristic technothriller. We have all this and so much more!