On Thursday, my friends and I went to check out the newly opened virtual reality games and arcade center at the Mall of America, SMAAASH. While many might be fooled by my studious outlook, I am actually a huge fan of arcade games. I have spent many hours in my teenage years in arcade centers and have always enjoyed new game stimulations. So, I was very excited about the chance to check out this new experience.
SMAAASH is an interactive gaming facility that is built around virtual reality (VR) technologies. Opened on Dec. 20, 2016 at the Mall of America, SMAAASH offers America's first VR-driven "adrenaline arena," coupled with sports, music, and bar dining experiences.
When walked into the arcade arena, I was immediately drawn to the flashy LEDs and screens set up to get visitors registered for their play. My friends and I got an all-access pass that gives us unlimited access to all games and one round of Sky Karting (go kart). Main attractions include Finger Coaster, Exterminator, Vertigo, Art of Attack, X1 Simulator, Haunted Hospital, Hot Shot, Zombie Outbreak, and three sports based challenges namely Super Keeper (soccer), What the Puck (ice hockey), and Extreme Takedown Challenge (football). There is also a "smart arcade" with classics like race cars, skiing, and basketball ring toss, and other screen based games. You can read all game descriptions here.
Having studied VR and wearable technologies since 2015, my colleagues at UMN and I have been intrigued by the potentials of VR in gaming and social engagement. SMAAASH embodies a combination of both. While back in our home lab there's one set of HTC Vive for individual research and user simulation, SMAAASH offers interactive and communal participation in VR experiences. These experiences are made possible mainly by Oculus and Vive technologies. What's interesting to me is how the player/user can be a part of creating their VR experience, and sharing it with their friends.
For instance, at Finger Coaster, players can design their own roller coaster tracks and bring up to four friends to share the ride they have invented.
Another highlight at SMAAASH is the Vertigo experience. I'd say that simulation is indeed not for the faint hearted. Through the VR headset, the player is lifted to about 50 feet above ground to a single plank, with the mission to save a kitten at the middle of the narrow walkway. I almost chickened out of this particular simulation (although I actually did skip the zombies), I am glad that I tried--and succeeded in saving the poor kitty--because it was something I would never have done in real life.
VR does trick the mind into believing the simulation to be reality. What the Vertigo experience teaches me is that there are truly many ways VR can be used to simulate scenarios that are hard to create in reality, but might be useful in shaping or changing one's perspective.
We ended up spending about 2.5 hours there, not including the time in the dining space (the wings are delicious, by the way). I think SMAAASH could be a great group trip for those who don't mind spending a little more on the tickets that traditional entertainment. The ticket prices at the Mall are:
- $5 per Active and Virtual Reality Game; $1 per Arcade Game, or
- All Active & Virtual Reality Games: $28 for once; $35 Unlimited, or
- All Arcade, Active & Virtual Reality Games: $34 for once; $40 Unlimited
I give this new arcade a 4 out of 5 stars for its innovative approach to social gaming. I reserve one star for when it lowers its ticket prices and for when the players can be even more involved in designing their own VR experience.
This entry was written by Jason Tham.