After launching in Melbourne 6 years ago, Zero Latency has grown into a world leading virtual reality experience with nearly 60 locations around the world. While it previously focused on developing it’s own home grown titles leaning toward puzzle solving, horror and science fiction; Zero Latency has now begun collaborating with major game developers such as Ubisoft, the makers of Far Cry, to bring recognisable titles to the platform. The first of these was, Mission Maybee, based on a Canadian childrens’ series, followed by the it’s most recognisable title, Far Cry VR: Dive into Insanity which is based around the most successful of the Ubisoft series, Far Cry 3.
A Bumpy Road to Perth
A collection of local VR & Gaming enthusiasts and entrepreneurs got together to bring the platform to Perth. But no one could have predicted the pandemic or the impacts it would have on the team. “We were lucky, none of us caught the virus. But there were massive impacts on our own incomes and delays to the fitout” said Melanie Chow, one of the owners of Zero Latency Perth. In August 2020, in the aftermath of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, Zero Latency Perth opened to the public with little fanfare. “Just being able open was enough for the us” said Melanie, who along with the other owners had worked tirelessly through the lockdown period (when able). On a limited budget, they managed to convert an old Northbridge favourite, the Zone3 Laser Tag building, into a modern (but retro) establishment with a virtual reality arena on one side and an arcade on the other. The VR arena allows 8 people to walk great distances together, share the same experience and interact with each other while in a virtual world. With the addition of traditional arcade games and pinball machines, the team sought to combine cutting edge gaming technology with the classic games that we all grew up with and loved.
What’s on offer?
Since opening, business has been steadily growing with a focus on hosting corporate events such as team building during the week and entertaining the public on the weekends. The early addition of a café enabled the venue to feed the public and provide catering for corporate events. In addition to its regular VR experience, the team really want to drive competitive gaming. They have a Player vs Player experience which transports you to another planet where your team needs to defeat the other side. But there are also regular pinball tournaments and there’s even been a Street Fight Arcade tournament. It seems there has been a lot of interest in this coming from unexpected places, “Our first tournament was actually a corporate event. The company approached us, already knowing what they wanted. We were so glad to be able to deliver exactly what they wanted.”
If VR or gaming is your interest, as well as the ones mentioned above, there are a good range of titles including: three different zombie experiences, a science fiction / space-based experience, and two kid-friendly adventures, though Mel stresses that they are adult-friendly adventures too. “The funny thing about our kid-friendly experiences is that it’s the parents who have the most fun. Kids take it in their stride, adults are more challenged by the way it plays with your senses and love it all the more.” When asked about motion-sickness that people sometimes report with VR, “We don’t really see it with our experiences because people are actually walking”
Where to from here?
“We’re pretty proud of what we managed to achieve so far.” Says Melanie on looking back on how far they’ve come in a difficult 18 months. The team feels that the venue has finally come into its own, but a recently approved liquor license means there are still opportunities ahead. “We want our customers to feel like we have everything they need” says Melanie, “We hope that Zero Latency will become a place that people think of when they are heading out after work.”
When asked what is most unexpected thing that people enjoy Melanie was quick to answer “Coffee, funnily enough. People absolutely love the VR experience but they are surprised by our other amenities. They don’t expect it because of the type of venue we are, but they often comment that we have great coffee.”
Zero Latency is open to the public Fridays to Sundays every week.
VR bookings for the public are available at www.zerolatencyperth.com
For bookings for corporate events, email info@zerolatencyperth.com
