Travel to the virtual gaming world without leaving the mall. A new VR kiosk has opened at Stone Road Mall, right in front of Dollarama, inviting shoppers to dive into the next generation of gaming. Here’s what you need to know, rewritten clearly while keeping all essential details intact.
Overview
- Inscape Virtual Reality has launched a new kiosk at Stone Road Mall, offering a variety of virtual reality gaming experiences to visitors. This location sits directly opposite Dollarama.
- The arcade-style setup features more than a dozen game options across five distinct VR experiences, with every game priced at $10 or less. The equipment emphasizes comfort and immersion, including cinema-style seating and motion-enabled chairs designed for 360-degree spins, flying simulations, car racing, and even submarine adventures.
Origin and Vision
- The venture is the brainchild of Maksym Semeshko, who was inspired after a visit to an arcade with his daughter a couple of years ago. He noticed a surprising number of adult players and identified a gap in local entertainment options, particularly for families and adults seeking engaging experiences beyond traditional venues.
- After researching the market and confirming a lack of similar offerings, Semeshko launched virtual reality as a business concept and opened a mall-based VR spot in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in March of this year. The success there motivated an expansion into Ontario.
Expansion and Location Choice
- Semeshko and his business partner, Mykhailo Orlov, decided on Ontario as the next market, with Guelph chosen as the initial city for growth. Orlov, a resident of the Greater Toronto Area, noted that southwestern Ontario and Guelph presented strong opportunities for family-friendly entertainment.
- Stone Road Mall emerged as the first Ontario location due to its proximity to universities and schools, ensuring a steady flow of families and students. Mall management reportedly offered solid support and expressed genuine interest in the project.
Reactions and Experience
- Visitors have described the experience as realistic and very enjoyable. One test slider noted that the 180-degree turn was intense enough to cause a bit of stomach sensation, suggesting that the full 360-degree motion could be even more thrilling for some guests.
- The participants in the test session agreed that the experience was fun and engaging, even with the 180-degree motion, though some would have preferred the full 360 experience for the added excitement.
Future Plans
- This venture is positioned as a year-round business, not a limited-time pop-up. The founder envisions ongoing growth and broader accessibility.
- Looking ahead, plans include scaling down machines suitable for younger children, hosting birthday parties, and offering rental options for group events lasting several hours. These additions aim to broaden appeal and create more revenue streams.
But here’s where it gets controversial… some observers wonder whether high-energy VR experiences should be housed in conventional shopping centers rather than dedicated entertainment districts, arguing that foot traffic and target demographics could shift differently than expected. And this is the part most people miss: balancing safety, accessibility for all ages, and ongoing maintenance will be crucial to sustaining long-term success. What do you think—should malls be a permanent home for immersive tech like VR arcades, or would standalone venues better serve enthusiasts and families? Share your thoughts in the comments.
