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, so it was super easy to find with plenty of parking. At 7,000 square feet, it’s a pretty good size arcade with over 40 different games and attractions. The decor is sleek and modern with neon lighting, which definitely got my gamer spirit going.
Some of the main attractions advertised were multiplayer virtual reality, a next-generation mirror maze, an escape room, and a 7D motion theater. With prices starting at $12, it seemed like a good value.
First Impressions
When we first walked in, I could tell this was a professional operation. The staff members greeted us right away and were very friendly. We purchased our passes from a self-serve kiosk, which made getting started quick and easy. One cool thing is that they run everything on reloadable game cards instead of tokens or tickets.
The layout of the arcade flows well from one area to the next. In The Game struck a nice balance of having the latest video games and VR tech, along with more nostalgic games like Skee Ball, claw machines, and prize counters. A few of the games felt a bit redundant, with multiple racing and shooting game options, but overall, there was a good selection.
The facility itself was very modern, bright, and clean. One section had dance and music games clearly aimed at a younger crowd, while they also had a VIP area in the back for adults only. It was nice that they had dedicated areas to cater to different ages and tastes.
Trying the VR and Mirror Maze
After scoping out all the options, it was time to dive in. John made a beeline for the VR section to try out the multiplayer Zero Latency. This free-roam VR system lets you explore a virtual world by walking around with an untethered headset and backpack computer. Up to 8 players can join as you complete missions like zombie horde survival games.
We had a 15-minute demo session, which allowed us to learn the controls before starting the game. They get you geared up with the VR headset, headphones, backpack, and a toy assault rifle. Once you put the headset on, the VR graphics were fantastic, on par with high-end PC VR. The huge warehouse space was also decked out with physical props and set pieces that match up with the virtual world you see. It was very immersive, and the graphics moved fluidly as I explored the environment.
When the game started, zombies came at us from every direction. The haptic feedback in the rifle let me feel every shot, while spatial sound helped detect where enemies were. We had to work together, covering each other’s blind spots as we took down the zombie waves. It was an awesome experience overall! At $12 per play though, I think it’s a bit overpriced for a 15-minute game.
Next, we ventured over to the Mirror Maze. This one was Jenette’s pick as she loves puzzles and illusions. The maze design takes you through various paths and dead ends. Some areas use traditional mirrors, while others have cool holographic effects that create infinity tunnels, water ripples on the walls, and lifelike statues that initially appear to be real people.
We had fun trying to navigate our way through, and the various visual tricks kept it interesting. About halfway through though, the appeal wore off a bit as the novelty faded. Unless you have a serious love for mirrors and illusions, 15 minutes in this maze is probably enough before it gets repetitive. At $6 per person, the price felt just slightly high.
7D Motion Theater and Arcade Games
The next attraction we experienced together as a family was the 7D Motion Theater. This was definitely a highlight of our visit! From the outside, it looks almost like an IMAX theater or Disney ride queue. After entering the lobby, an energetic staff member directed us into the main theater room.
The motion seats have a safety harness that secures you in snugly. Once seated, the chairs have a full range of movement including tilting, rotating, and bumping up and down. There are also water sprayers, wind jets, and leg ticklers for added environmental effects perfectly synced to the on-screen action.
We chose the ocean documentary which took us on an undersea adventure. The 7D name comes from the 3D movie combined with 4D motion and environmental effects. As the film followed scuba divers exploring a coral reef, our chairs would tilt and turn to match their movements. When a sea turtle swam by my face, I’d feel the wind gust as if it was flapping its flippers right next to me!
The experience was extremely convincing between the 3D footage and sensory feedback from the seats. At one point, we were zooming through underwater caverns with the chair spinning rapidly as fish darted past our heads. Both kids had an absolute blast, and Patty and I were thoroughly impressed by the realism as well. It’s priced at $12 per show, which is an exceptional value considering how long the films run and the immersive tech involved.
After exiting the theater on a high from that experience, we took some time to enjoy the arcade games. This gave Jenette and John a chance to win some tickets and pick fun prizes. Highlights like the Wizard of Oz penny pushers, basketball Pop-A-Shot games, and various carnival-style scoring games were big hits with my kids.
I had fun revisiting some old-school arcade favorites like Pac-Man and Galaga. We were able to stretch our play card balance over an hour by bouncing between the different games. One nice thing is that any unused balance stays on your card to use on a future visit.
Prizes, Service, and Overall Impressions
With our game card funds running low after almost 3 hours of entertainment, the kids cashed in their prize tickets. In The Game has a quality selection of prizes, including various plush animals, toys, electronics, and novelty items. Most require between 100 and 500 tickets to claim, which is on par for this style of arcade.
John had his eye on a Star Wars talking plush Chewbacca, which cost 300 tickets. After totaling up their winnings, he and Jenette combined had just enough. Seeing my son excitedly take home his new Wookiee pal put a big smile on my face. Jenette picked out a furry orange squishy ball, one of those trendy sensory toys.
While the prize counter area felt a bit small and crowded, the employee working the counter couldn’t have been nicer. She was fantastic with both kids, engaging them in fun conversation while tallying tickets and helping them find the perfect prizes.
The service overall at In The Game was excellent across the board. Every staff member we interacted with was upbeat and attentive. They were constantly walking the floor to check on guests and were happy to explain how games worked if anyone looked confused. I especially appreciated that they enforced rules evenly by reminding some noisy teens not to run or pull each other’s harnesses on VR hardware.
When I had an issue getting one of the basketball hoops to register, an attendant came over quickly and gave me a refund in credits on my game card. Definitely above and beyond customer service all around. My only knock in the service category is that management felt mostly hands-off. In over 3 hours, I never noticed any suits checking on operations. This didn’t affect our enjoyment, but it stood out from similar venues where managers usually have a strong visible presence.
Stepping back to evaluate the experience as a whole, In The Game scores extremely high marks in my book. As a family with teens like ours, trying to find engaging activities everyone enjoys can be challenging at times. This arcade delivered thrills for the big kids like John and I, and plenty of good clean fun for Jenette and Patty.
I’ll be awarding In The Game a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. They excel in customer service, provide quality family fun at reasonable prices, and incorporate cutting-edge interactive tech. I look forward to returning and trying out new attractions when they rotate offerings in the future.