Virtual reality arcade the Portal opens in Winnipeg

Winnipegs first virtual reality arcade is now open on Corydon Avenue making it one of the first in Canada.

Business wants to bring virtual reality to non-gamers and gamers alike in social environment

Teghan Beaudette CBC News Posted: Oct 14, 2016 10:11 AM EDT | Last Updated: October 14, 2016

Allison Marinelli explores the deep sea while The Portal owner Chris Hall watches on a monitor nearby. (CBC)

Winnipeg's first virtual reality arcade is now open on Corydon Avenue making it one of the first in Canada.

The Portal has 15 games and experiences for players who suit up with a VR headset.

Players can fight zombies, shoot bows and arrows, play golf, build cars and explore underwater coral reefs and sunken ships.

Chris Hall opened the shop with his wife after trying a virtual reality set for the first time just a few months ago.

"I was so blown away by the experience that I re-evaluated everything I was doing, and I asked my wife whether I could buy the most expensive equipment in virtual reality that's commercially available today, and she strangely said yes," said Hall.

Right now, Canada has only a handful ofvirtual reality arcades. Calgary and Waterloo each have one, andthis weekone popped up in Regina.

Hall's background was in geographical information systems, which is a type of mapping, and this is the first time he's stepped into the role of business owner.

"There's a bit of duct tape hanging around, our cable management solutions are a little bit new. We are starting a business my wife and I for the first time, with limited money," he said.

Allison Marinelli, a self-described non-gamer, tried out a virtual reality headset for the first time on Thursday at Winnipeg's the Portal on Corydon. (CBC)

The aim is to provide a social virtual reality experience where players can move around and interact with a virtual environment while their friends watch what's happening on a TV screen, and then switch.

"Virtually reality is opening up games. It's no longer for the target demographic of young guys," said Hall, who adds he wants to create a family-friendly gaming environment.

Allison Marinelli, a self-described non-gamer, tried it out for the first time on Thursday in the 64-square-foot gaming area.

"It's so amazing it makes you feel like another place and it takes you completely out of your element," said Marinelli, who explored an underwater ship and "swam" with jelly fish.

"There was a big blue whale and it was really close," she said. "It felt super real to the point that I was a little scared."

More experienced gamers can try out the Brookhaven Experiment, which has players fight zombies with weapons.

"There is a video of me playing that game and basically crying after," said Hall.

The shop is open for bookings now, but they're still working out the kinks so they're offering a discount to customers.

Hall plans to have a grand opening in a couple weeks.