Fusion Arena "Showdown" in the test

Fusion Arena has called for the big e-sports tournament called Showdown Masters and we were allowed to test the game "Showdown" in Zurich for two. Conclusion: Sign up!

It's Sunday morning and my fellow tester and I enter the Fusion Arena in Zurich armed with a hygiene mask. The goal is clear: fun and action and, of course, to find out a bit more about the location and a rather unknown area for me, e-sports. Claudio, Head of E-Sports Pandally AG, greets us happily and instructs us to scan the QR code for registration first thing. After a short guided tour, during which we were able to make sure that there were no chasms or tripping hazards in the arena, we were given comprehensive instructions and equipped with foot and hand trackers, backpack, VR glasses, headphones and a gun.

The game principle is simple: shoot and hit the others. Similar to laser tag, the aim is to score as many points as possible over a total of three levels. After we got into the starting position in the hall of the Fusion Arena, we were off and running. Within seconds, the VR technology transports us to an abandoned military facility, which is divided into three different floors. Virtual walls intertwine the entire game and at the same time serve as cover. Integrated lift systems and teleporters are further highlights that can be used as strategic tools. Once again, I am amazed at how real the whole thing looks: the materials, the effects of riding the lifts, but also the tactile sensation of firing shots with the "real" weapon in your hands - simply ingenious. I am in another world.

The former policeman as an opponent

Every virtual movement of my avatar has to be performed by me one-to-one in real time. I quickly realise that I am totally inexperienced as a shooter and wish I didn't have a former policeman as an opponent. Nevertheless, I do my best and try to move skilfully through the layout. That means ducking, darting around corners, sprinting and waiting for the right moments. Again and again I have to return to my base to heal. But my feeling is that my playing partner has to go back almost as often. Can that be?

Even as a shooter layman, you get into the game pretty quickly. The only problem I have is once again dealing with the weapon. After finally making it to the first lift, I desperately search for the button that allows me to use the sniper function. Somehow I manage it and can even land a fatal hit. Yes! I think it's good that the game developers decided not to have any blood spatter. Instead, there are other cool effects, such as the gas that comes out of a shot pipe.

For the last lap, Claudio, who is connected to us via the headphones, cheers me on: "It's really close. You can still catch up. Nathalie, I believe in you." Laughing, I say back, "But I don't." The last of the three laps is over in no time and when the final horn sounds, I realise how sweaty I actually am. Well, that's just it: This is e-sport. Now I understand it at least a little bit.

After a short exchange, we are of course allowed to look at the evaluation. I only lost by a narrow margin. In addition, I learn that my opponent also tricked me and once simply ran through a wall. Bad luck for him that he was right behind me, but he forgot to reload his magazine. Karma!

The VR experience was really fun and the close result shows that even beginners have a chance. That's why you should sign up.

Find out how the whole tournament is structured here and where Fusion Arena is heading in terms of virtual reality e-sports, you'll find out the day after tomorrow.