The Golden Mile area of Frederick is undergoing a transformation.
Thanks to organizations like the Golden Mile Alliance and Frederick area business owners who believe in the potential of that area of Frederick, we can expect to see some exciting entertainment destinations popping up along Route 40.
One such destination, @VR, has already sprung into existence in the same shopping center dinner theater, Off Broadway calls home.
Obscured by dark windows, other than the colorful sign that sits above the door, the location gives little exciting away as you approach their section of the strip mall. Once inside, however, you’re greeted with an entire wall of large screen televisions situated across from nine curtained bays with smaller screens and high tech looking goggles.
This, friends, is where the magic happens.
With nine separate gaming stations and over 40 games to choose from, visitors can come in alone or with friends and enjoy a single or multiplayer gaming experience. PC Gamers will also find a happy place @VR where, in addition to virtual reality gaming stations, they also offer PC gaming stations where you can log on and play.
@VR is a pretty unique destination that brings an element of entertainment never seen in Frederick. In fact, the entire concept, brought to life by owner and Frederick native Shantay DeMar, is one not seen much yet in the DC Metro area.
The Story Behind @VR
“Have you ever seen that movie Ready Player One?”
That’s how Shantay DeMar responded when asked about his inspiration for opening the virtual reality gaming center. He was inspired to launch his family friendly entertainment business by the movie where characters grew obsessed with escaping to 2045’s version of an online world where virtual reality allowed them to live alternate lives. And, while DeMar doesn’t wish for anyone to develop an unhealthy obsession with his VR gaming experience, a reasonable devotion from a regional fandom of sorts would arguably be quite nice – and not entirely unexpected based on the need for such a place in our area.
“I wanted to bring this to our community – to give kids and families something different to do right here in Frederick.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
After conducting some local market research and discovering there weren’t any locations in the area offering what he envisioned, Shantay found the inspiration he needed to launch his own VR location after a visit to one in the Atlanta, Georgia area, “It was the closest to what I had in mind and, after visiting, I came back and decided to tweak some things they were doing to make my own location better.”
What to expect when you visit @VR
If you’ve never been to a virtual reality gaming location, expect to see something that loosely resembles the arcades you grew up in, but with way less equipment. In fact, you really just need a few screens, joysticks and, of course, the signature VR goggles we’ve all become familiar with.
Unlike the family fun centers and arcades we grew up in, virtual gaming locations offer a more immersive experience to their clients. Putting on the VR mask essentially takes you to another dimension allowing you to use your entire body to interact with the game on so many levels. Maneuvering with two joysticks, you become a part of whatever game you’re playing allowing you to kick, punch, run, jump, shoot, and more as if you are actually in the game.
But, you can’t get hurt. With raised carpets that allow you to maintain your connection to the real world (so you can’t run into the walls) and knowledgeable staff that is present and attentive, you can expect to an immersive gaming experience that is also safe and fun from the moment you enter the game until your prepaid time is up.
@VR is separated into bays, divided by curtains. Each bay allows up to four players where you can elect single or two player games to keep you and your party entertained. With over 40 different game titles featuring everything from first person shooter games to underwater adventures, there are plenty of things to choose from for all types of gamers. And, you’re not trapped playing the same thing the entire time. Not having fun or want to check out something different? Just let your bay attendant know you’re ready for a switch and they’re happy to make that happen.
Shantay wants guests to have as much fun as possible while they visit and, in his vision, safety, variety, reliability, and attentiveness are surefire ways to get that ball rolling.
@VR is also a great place to host parties. @VR adds a fun twist to birthday parties and corporate events offering people a great opportunity to try something new while they celebrate and team build.
Regardless of whether you’re planning to book an event or just bringing the family up for the day, you’ll want to make sure you call and grab an appointment. @VR is in high demand and standing around waiting for a play bay is not going to be fun for anyone!
You can learn more about @VR by visiting them on Facebook and following them on Instagram. Hop over to their website now to book your first virtual adventure.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.