Virtual reality sometimes appears more real than reality. Virat Kohli would vouch for it. The poster boy of Indian cricket who visited Smaaash Entertainment, a gaming destination at 1 MG Mall, Bengaluru, was bowled over by the experience. “Here you can experience playing against international bowlers in nets and see where your skills stand. It is so much close to what the real thing is like,” Kohli said. “Even professional cricketers can come here and have a practice session. I think it benefits one and all,” he said.
The cricket lanes in virtual reality games fulfill dreams of getting into the Indian team and facing the likes of Lasith Malinga, for a few minutes. One can choose the stadium, the bowler and even the speed of the ball, besides watching a replay of one's batting.
Kohli said he had a hell of a day at Smaaash. Besides a game of cricket, he tried Finger Coaster and Walk the Plank. “Walk the Plank was quite challenging. I was pretty scared and couldn't walk more than two steps. Finger Coaster is quite a bit of fun to experience—it allows you to draw your own roller coaster and enjoy the ride. It's pretty cool, '' said Kohli.
Virtual reality gaming allows you to go back and forth in time, experiencing the invisible and the unreachable. VR flight simulator is perfect for those in need of an adrenaline rush. If you manage to take off, you get to fly amid the clouds, over the mountains. But don't get carried away by the experience; a crash could happen any time and with a synchronised headset content and a moving platform, it can turn out to be a distressing experience.
Fun Factory at ETA mall in Bengaluru offers virtual reality car rides at affordable prices. Spread over 20,000 square feet, Fun Factory has VR Extreme Rider, and VR shooter and four bowling lanes as well. It is a great destination for those who like to have an active and fun filled holiday.
So what are the next big trends in VR? “In 2017, technologically augmented reality using HoloLens will be a very exciting space,'' said Ashok A. Cherian, CMO, Smaaash. “Gaze, gesture and voice will see deployment in games. So imagine the movements of your fingers and head being tracked. Voice activated commands could also make their way into gaming,” he said.
