4 PLACES TO EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY IN CHICAGO
Chicago, The Windy City. Turns out it really does live up to that name. Home to the now World Champion Cubs. Really never thought I would write that sentence. Ever. Let us not forget their first class restaurant scene, architecture, and museums. Chicago is an awesome city. Just avoid going in winter.
We were also very pleasantly surprised by Chicago’s VR experiences.
In no particular order, here they are:
1. GameStop
Address: The Brickyard, 6451 W DIVERSEY AVE, STE G9, CHICAGO, IL 60707
http://www.gamestop.com/gs/pages/events/PSVR-Demo
Twitter: @GameStop
This is an awesome opportunity to test drive Sony’s PlayStation VR headset. One of the prettiest looking headsets on the market today it was engineered with the user in mind. Allowing the individual to focus on the VR world they are exploring. We think more demos should be made available to the public, let us try these things!
2. Microsoft
Address: Shops at Northbridge 520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/locations/il/chicago/shops-at-north-bridge/store-55
Twitter: @htcvive
Ok, so now you have experienced the PlayStation VR headset, make the drive over to the Shops at Northbridge and give the HTC Vive a spin. Designed from the ground up for room-scale interaction, VIVE delivers an immersive and delightful experience for seated, standing and room-scale experiences. If you have tried both let us know which one you prefer.
3. Chivr-Virtual Reality Meetup
Address: Allstate Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654
http://www.chivr.org/
Twitter: @VRChicago
Go to their Meetup page to RSVP, the next meetup is taking place on January 18th, 2017. Participants will have a chance to demo the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift CV1, Oculus Touch, and Samsung Gear VR. Among the featured software and games will be Life of Lon, the VR story game from Block Interval currently in development.
4. Chicago Virtual Reality Rental
http://www.virtualrealityrental.co/chicago-il-virtual-reality-rental
So this is cool. Chicago Virtual Reality Rental will bring VR to you. Having a corporate event? A party? Do you want something your guests will remember? VR is the answer. Their staff is there to ensure your guests have a great time at your event. Sure beats doing the electric slide for the millionth time.
This is our wrap up on Chicago. Which leaves us with one question: When will the first VR arcade experience open in the Windy City? Seems like a pretty good business idea to us…..