blakepiercehowseBlake Pierce Howse

With my trusty Xbox controller in hand, I'm just as likely to be barking orders to my squadmates in the latest shooter as I am strategizing code architecture with my engineering team. That's me - Blake Howse - principal software engineer by day, gaming enthusiast by night (and often during lunch breaks too). When I'm not glued to a screen writing VR code at Meta, you can usually find me hitting the trails with my wife Patty and two kids, John and Jenette. I love sharing my passion for gaming and tech with them, whether we're testing out new smart home gadgets or getting the hang of the latest VR games. As a self-described outdoorsy techie, I basically have the perfect work-life balance - collaborating with sharp engineers on innovative projects during the day, then coming home to my family to geek out and adventure together. Maybe we'll take our bikes out to hit some local trails or relax at home tinkering with DIY tech projects. Even just gaming into the night with my kids brings me joy.

Exploring ‘In The Game’ Virtual Reality Arcade in Orlando

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in the game orlando

Hey everyone, I took my family to try out a new virtual reality arcade in Orlando called ‘In The Game.’ We’re always looking for cool new tech and gaming experiences, so I was pretty excited to check this place out.  In The Game is located right on International Drive inside the Icon Park entertainment complex, … Read more

Elev8 Fun: The Ultimate Indoor Adventure for Families in Sanford, Orlando

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elev8 fun orlando florida

Dear Readers, welcome to my latest review on The Virtual Reviewer! My name is Blake Pierce Howse, and I am a 35-year-old software engineer living in San Bernardino, California. I live there with my wife, Patty, and our two kids, 14-year-old John and 12-year-old Jenette  We are a tech-loving and outdoorsy family who enjoy playing … Read more

Building Memories: A Family’s Journey through Legoland Discovery Center Chicago

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Legoland Discovery Center Chicago

Last weekend, my family and I took a trip to the Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg, a suburb of Chicago, for a fun day of Lego-themed adventures. As the owner of The Virtual Reviewer, I make it a point to review the latest VR and gaming experiences in order to provide helpful and honest opinions … Read more

Game Nest: Unraveling the Hidden Gaming Gem of Las Vegas

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Game Nest Las Vegas

As an avid gamer and tech enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new and unique gaming experiences, which is how I stumbled across Game Nest in Las Vegas. Located in Chinatown just minutes from the Strip, Game Nest advertises itself as an arcade specializing in Japanese arcade games and classics. That was enough to … Read more

Exploring Dave & Buster’s Free-Roaming VR Experience in Dallas

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Dave & Buster's Houston Texas

When I first heard about the brand new free-roaming multiplayer VR attraction at Dave & Buster’s in Northpark Center, Dallas, TX, I was thrilled. The idea of experiencing virtual reality, playing arcade games, and indulging in deep-fried appetizers all in one place sounded like the perfect weekend getaway for my family and me. Without wasting … Read more

The Ultimate Gaming Experience with Extreme Video Game Zone NYC

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Extreme Video Game Zone

Hey everyone, when my family and I took a trip to New York City last month, one of the things I was most excited about was checking out the latest in VR gaming. So when I found out about Extreme Video Game Zone, a Long Island and NYC-based gaming company with VR options, I knew … Read more