By Ashley Wiebe

Virtual reality arcade moves in downtown

May 12, 2017 | 5:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A new business venture has found a way to help you escape from the world around you.

“You’re actually now being immersed into the game instead of being in your chair with a controller,” said co-owner of VR Junkies Ken Forbes. “We’re putting you into the game.”

Forbes said that’s the whole idea behind the city’s first virtual reality arcade.

“We can get you on street views of any place in the world,” he said. “So if you want to go to New York City, we can take you there. You want go in the ocean and swim with whales? We can take you there.”

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The former oil field worker turned entrepreneur partnered with Peter Wowchuck to bring the arcade to life. The two wanted to bring something to the city everyone could enjoy.

“One of our mottos is, you can come play here and still go home for dinner, if you want,” Forbes said. “You don’t have to go to Calgary, spend a day, spend half of your pay cheque and then come back home.”

The pair decided on a location downtown, ignoring claims that there’s nothing in the city centre and that there’s nowhere to park.

“Just out here on the corner of Third Street and Fifth Avenue, every 10 minutes there’s over 200 people or cars that drive by this section every single day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Forbes said.

“I think what’s different downtown is you’re finding unique businesses, maybe niche businesses, something you’re not going to see at the mall, which is fantastic,” said Les Schwabe with the City Centre Development Agency.

Goggles cover your eyes, taking you out of reality. Depending on the game, the user is able to look at a new world from all angles.

“If you’re scared ‘cause you’re in a haunted house, you can’t go like this,” Forbes said, covering his eyes with his hands. “You’d turn your back ‘cause you’re scared, you’re still gonna see it.”

The only way the user is able to escape is by closing their eyes or by taking the goggles off.

“I think it sounds wild to have virtual reality glasses on,” Schwabe said, laughing. “I think I’d be more intrigued to be watching the people from behind the scenes, you know? Watch them jump around and everything else.”

VR Junkies will open it’s doors to the public on Tuesday, May 16th.