A lot going on at the VR Center Dietlikon

At the Whitsun weekend, we were once again able to test the revised Explorer in the VR Center in Dietlikon. In addition to new glasses, extended game rules and new challenges, there was the final rehearsal for an upcoming marriage proposal. Sounds strange, but it was.

It's only been four months since we visited the VR Centre. Visit were there to test the shooter. But a lot has happened since then. The two operators Fabian Freund and Philip Lacoste apparently not only talk fast, but also work at a rapid pace.

Incidentally, the shooter we tested back then no longer exists - or has been removed from the programme. But the next shooter will be available from the beginning of July. Booking you can already do that.

The successful relaunch of the Explorer

This time, however, we tested the Explorer, which was recently provided with various hardware and software updates. The second generation of the trueVR system offers better and more comfortable goggles (CV1 from Oculus), a range of new missions and improved performance. It is definitely worth visiting the VR Centre (again).

Steve Aoki is one of the guests at the VR Centre

The US electro house DJ and music producer Steve Aoki can also testify to this. He also visited with a mate on the same day. His statement on the experience: "The whole scenario felt so real!" Well, if someone with several million followers means that, then it can only be true.

The rules of etiquette

Once again, the first thing we did was give a verbal introduction to game play. The motto "Don't do anything you wouldn't do in real life" remains the same. We were also told: "Behave normally." When asked, we were again told some funny stories. There had been players who had happily thrown objects around the hall. When you hear that, it sounds a bit absurd at first, but once you've played the game, it's easy to imagine. If you immerse yourself completely in the game, you can forget something. And especially when you're standing in front of a corridor with spikes to the left and right, you quickly get the idea of throwing something through first to uncover a possible trap. Or you can even try a little pike jump over the abyss in VR. However, there is now a penalty system for such interludes. Cheating - such as, for example, simply walking over a chasm on the real floor - is therefore not permitted. It is also simply too risky for the expensive equipment if people are constantly falling down or moving through the hall with wild pike rolls.

Listening to the two of them, you get the feeling that the centre is a kind of test hall for behavioural research in VR. They have probably experienced everything. But they also think carefully about what works and what doesn't. We discussed again that many people would love a horror game, but that it can quickly become too extreme for some people.

Find out the day after tomorrow what the world's first marriage proposal is all about and what else the VR Centre duo have in store.