A new virtual reality gaming center is opening its doors in downtown Tulsa.
The new Aaru gaming center includes a VR arcade, a café and bar, and an Omnideck, which gives gamers a full immersion into the VR world on a 16-sided motorized treadmill.
It’s located near Archer and Cheyenne in what organizers say is a growing Tech District.
Owner Shai Kaiser says this space is unique not only in Tulsa, but around the world.
“Every other model is owned or used by a military group, a government group, or an academic research group. So, we are taking it and using it for video games, which I think is always what it was meant to be for.”
Along with the Omnideck, Aaru has these individual rooms so that gamers can head to the virtual world on their own.
Each room gives gamers more space to move around.
They even let me go inside one to have a go at one of the games.
Kaiser says he wants to make sure VR games are accessible to anyone who is interested.
“VR is the future, at least a part of it and I think it’s for everyone. We want to show not as much what VR is but what it could be,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser hopes to hold E-sports competitions and other events for gamers down the road.
Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith says she thinks this business will put Tulsa on the map for tourists and inspire more entrepreneurs to open here.
“These little nodes in Tulsa as each piece comes alive, it sort of spreads, and will continue to spread,” Keith said.
Kaiser says going forward, he is confident that the VR and tech industry is only going to get bigger in Tulsa.
“I think Tulsa…I know Tulsa is primed for a new technology industry,” Kaiser said.
The Grand Opening of the studio is set for next Friday, Oct. 21.
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