Run alongside dinosaurs in this massive multiplayer VR game coming exclusively to Dave & Buster’s.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom hits theaters on June 22, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until then to run side-by-side with nature’s most epic monsters.
Thanks to a partnership between Universal and The Virtual Reality Company, large-scale, location-based VR experience Jurassic World VR Expedition, will soon be available to play at over 110 Dave & Buster’s locations throughout the U.S. and Canada starting June 14, in what they claim will be the world’s largest deployment of a commercial multiplayer VR game in history.
Players will be transported into the heart of Jurassic World on Isla Nublar where your main objective will be to rescue stranded dinosaurs, that is when you’re not navigating through thick, jungle foliage while simultaneously avoiding getting your vehicle stuck in the mud, or being squashed by rampaging dinosaurs.
Jurassic World VR Expedition participants will use an HTC Vive, along with specialized haptic chairs synced with the action that you see in the headset. The VR experience allows for up to four competitors at one time, all of whom will be represented as silhouettes. You’ll then use your Vive controllers to tag the dinosaurs you’ve captured.
Jurassic World VR Expedition was originally intended to be released as a home-based VR experience with a much more extensive game-play elements, but the creators felt that the game would find a larger audience if they shortened the experience down to 5 minutes. This allows you to quickly jump into the action without having to deal with a grueling learning curve.
For the Jurassic World franchise, Jurassic World VR Expedition is part of the franchise canon. This means that what you experience in the game is considered part of the massive Jurassic Park storyline. So, if you are a true fan of the franchise, you’ll definitely want to experience Jurassic World VR Expedition to complete your knowledge of official Jurassic Park lore. You’ll thank yourself later when that game-winning question at trivia night involves genetically-enhanced dinosaurs.
“For many, this will be their wondrous introduction to VR, and Jurassic World VR Expedition will transport fans in a more immersive way than they could imagine,” said Chris Heatherly, executive vice president at Universal Brand Development. “Players will experience the dinosaurs—both the majestic and terrifying—first person,” adding, “we are thrilled with the breathtaking visuals and cinematic experience that VRC has delivered, as well as by Dave & Buster’s bold step to make this experience available to such a broad audience.”
To bring Jurassic World VR Expedition to life, VRC turned to James Lima, a multi-Emmy Award-nominated visual effects artist to write and direct the VR experience, along with help from VRC co-founders Robert Stromberg, a two-time Academy Award winner, and entertainment executive Guy Primus as co-producers.
What is truly unique about Jurassic World VR Expedition actually lies on the business end of things – specifically its back-end licensing fees. VRC agreed to a multi-year licensing deal with Universal to bring Jurassic World VR Expedition to life, which makes it the first time the studio has received a 7-figure check for VR. Prior to this, it would be the studios that would be paying handsomely to have a VR experience of this caliber created for them.
For Dave & Busters, the benefits are huge. The restaurant/entertainment complex gets a unique multiplayer VR experience in a large portion of its locations; all-the-while pleasing fans of the franchise while simultaneously exposing them to a brand new form of immersive entertainment. Surely Jurassic World VR Expedition will be very attractive for dedicated customers of Dave & Busters, as well as folks who’ve never been to one.
Dr Ian Malcolm believed that life would find a way. I’m sure he’d say the same about turning VR into a billion-dollar entertainment industry. Jurassic World VR Expedition could be his proof.
To check out Jurassic World VR Expedition, just hop on over to your local Dave & Buster’s starting June 22. Expect the game to appear in other gaming faculties worldwide at a later date.
