Making virtual reality a reality in Edmonton

It's first of its kind in Edmonton, a virtual reality gaming arcade where the player is immersed in the action.

"It's the newest form of entertainment," says Dartanion Johnson, manager of Breakout VR. "It's a virtual reality arcade."

With 15 consoles, players can rent time with the emerging technology to battle space pirates ordefend castles.

"There is nothing like being immersed in a game and having to move your entire body to have to think about what is behind you, what is going on to my right, keeping track of what is going on over here," Johnson says.

There have been pop-up virtual reality spaces in Edmonton, but this is the first permanent space for virtual gaming.

It joins other new entertainment venues forEdmontonianslooking for something novelsuch asthe traditional arcades, axe throwing and smash rooms.

"It wasn't so much everything was in front of you on a screen and you could target it," says StephenBeirnes, tryingit out for the the first time. "There were times when things were coming from my left and right, but it was really easy to get into it and figure it all out, a lot of fun.

Linda Hoang was also eager to try itout.

"We have always been curious about this type of technology and you are always hearing about these kinds of advances so to actually have it right here where you can try it is pretty exciting," she said.