)
Melbourne-based immersive entertainment group Zero Latency VR has reached a milestone of 100 venues globally as the company capitalises on the popularity of virtual reality (VR) experiences.
The company, which was established in 2015 following a crowdfunding campaign by co-founders Tim Ruse, Scott Vandonkelaar and Kyel Smith, has grown to create what is said to be the largest true in-person free-roam VR network in the world.
The company has now hosted more than four million VR adventures in 26 countries since inception.
Zero Latency says an “overwhelming demand” for immersive adventures has “supercharged” the company’s growth and fuelled an ambitious expansion plan currently under way.
"We are beyond thrilled to reach this incredible milestone," says Ruse, the CEO of Zero Latency.
"What started as an innovative idea a decade ago has evolved into an extraordinary global phenomenon.
“Players everywhere are discovering the unparalleled thrill and camaraderie that our games deliver. And this is just the beginning; we're on a mission to keep pushing the envelope and bringing next-level experiences to even more players worldwide."
Zero Latency venues allow up to eight players at a time to experience immersive VR experiences where friends battle each other in “epic adventures” similar to a video game.
The company’s founders first began tinkering with the idea in 2012 in Vandonkelaar’s garage, before releasing their first prototype to the public in 2014.
The company opened its first venue in Melbourne in August 2015, initially with six-week-long waiting lists by players eager to try out the innovative experience that research shows is overtaking traditional forms of entertainment such as bowling and arcade games.
In 2021, Zero Latency partnered with French video game publisher Ubisoft to create Far Cry VR: Dive Into Insanity, the first-ever AAA free-roam VR experience. A game that is classified as AAA signifies high-budget and high-profile games that are produced by major publishers.
The company has built a loyal user base with games such as Far Cry VR and Outbreak.
Zero Latency says it is currently gearing up to launch its most ambitious experience yet - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine VR - Defenders of Avarax. The game urges players to “unleash” their fury as a Space Marine, “a merciless and incredibly powerful super-soldier”.
The adventure is said to “plunge players into the most expansive and intricately detailed VR universe ever crafted”.
After expanding its venue base by about 20 per cent over the past year, Zero Latency is targeting further growth over the next two years with “a wave of new venues” set to launch.
Zero Latency is aiming to ramp up growth via a new six-player arena concept which it says will allow more venues globally to add Zero Latency to their entertainment lineup.
“Our experiences are mind-blowing, so it’s been important to make sure we capture that same monumental feeling, even in smaller spaces,” said Vandonkelaar, the CTO at Zero Latency, when the initiative was launched in July.
“We’ve done a lot of testing to ensure our adventures translate, and that they still feel excellent. Our team has ensured that our technology has remained adaptable and flexible to new environments, so that our customers get the same feeling of immersion, no matter the size of the venue."
)
