Zero Latency (company)

Zero Latency is a technology company that develops free-roam virtual reality systems.[1] It was founded by Tim Ruse, Scott Vandonkelaar, Kyel Smith, who are currently directors of the company, with Dean Dorrell as the chairman.[2] In August 2015, Zero Latency opened the world's first VR entertainment venue in North Melbourne, Australia.[3][4]

Zero Latency
IndustryFree Roam Virtual Reality
Founded2013
HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
Number of employees
+100
Websitezerolatencyvr.com

History

The founders' idea to develop a free-roam virtual reality experience first emerged in 2012 following the success of Oculus Rift's kickstarter campaign,[5] and was initially tested as a single-player game called Inversion VR, in early 2013.[6][7] A prototype of Zero Latency's multiplayer free-roam virtual reality system was first demonstrated to the public at Pausefest, a digital innovation conference, in early 2014.[8][9] Following this, Zero Latency secured almost $30,000 from a crowdfunding campaign,[10] as well as a $60,000 grant from Film Victoria.[11] The company subsequently received $1 million in funding from Carthona Capital, a venture capital firm.[12][13][14] In February 2015, Zero Latency partnered with Dell's gaming division, Alienware, to provide high-performance computer hardware for use in Zero Latency's operations.[15] On 14 August 2015, Zero Latency opened its retail operations, which was the first time in history that multiplayer free-roam virtual reality became publicly available.[16] The first public game played was a simulated zombie apocalypse with four players, however the original game currently allows a maximum of eight players to play at once.[16]

Free-roam

Free-roam virtual reality allows users to move freely in an open space and not be constrained by cables and other immobile equipment.[17] Perceptual tricks such as "Change Blindness Redirection" are used in free-roam virtual reality to create the illusion of a virtual environment larger than what is physically available.[17] Zero Latency employs these perceptual tricks at its 400m2 venue in North Melbourne to allow players to travel between 700m and 1 km during a standard game session.[5]

Motion capture technology is used to track the physical location of players, which allows the in-game virtual location of players' avatars to be generated accurately.[9] It took several years to develop the software and hardware allowing players' physical movements to be instantly replicated by their in-game avatars.[18][19] Proximity sensors are used to warn players of hazards and prevent players from leaving the physical play area.[16] Zero Latency also uses haptic feedback techniques (e.g. using fans to generate wind) to increase immersion.[20][21]

Products

Zero Latency operates virtual reality gaming venues in North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and Newstead, Queensland, Australia which are available to ticket holders aged 13 or older.[22][23] The company also sells its systems to businesses requiring free-roam virtual reality applications.[11] Due to their cost and complexity, Zero Latency's systems are not ideal for private use.[24][25] Instead, they are intended to be used as public virtual gaming spaces or theme park attractions.[12][24][26] Zero Latency has also partnered with a real estate group to offer virtual house inspections.[27]

Locations

As of November 2020, Zero Latency has 46 venues in 22 countries.

Zero Latency is open in the following locations:

Andorra
  • Zero Latency, Andorra

Australia
  • Zero Latency, Brisbane, QLD
  • Zero Latency, Gold Coast, QLD
  • Zero Latency, Melbourne, VIC
  • Zero Latency, Perth, WA
  • Zero Latency, Sydney, NSW
  • Le Mans Entertainment, Dandenong, VIC

Canada
  • Zero Latency On Tilt, Calgary
  • Zero Latency, Montreal
  • Virtual Galaxies, Toronto
  • Zero Latency, Vancouver

France
  • Hypervirtual, Nantes

Germany
  • Zero Latency, Munich

India
  • Zero Latency, Mumbai

Ireland
  • Zero Latency, Dublin

Japan
  • Sega Abeno Q's Mall, Osaka
  • Tokyo Joypolis, Tokyo

Malaysia
  • The Rift, Kuala Lumpur

Macau
  • Zero Latency, Macau

Mexico
  • Cinépolis VR, Mexico City
  • Cinépolis VR, Querétaro

Netherlands
  • Zero Latency, Rotterdam

Qatar
  • Zero Latency, Doha

Portugal
  • Zero Latency, Lisbon

Spain
  • Zero Latency, Barcelona
  • Zero Latency, Madrid
  • Zero Latency, Terrassa
  • Zero Latency, Zaragoza

Saudi Arabia
  • Zero Latency, Riyadh

Singapore
  • Zero Latency, Singapore

Thailand
  • Zero Latency, Bangkok

United Kingdom
  • Zero Latency, Nottingham
  • Zero Latency, London (Wembley)
  • Zero Latency, Birmingham

United States
  • The Arena, Wisconsin Dells
  • Max Action Arena, Reno
  • Velocity VR, Scottsdale
  • V-Play Reality, Orlando
  • New Realm VR, Rancho Cucamonga
  • Zero Latency, Dallas
  • Zero Latency, Houston
  • Level Up - MGM Grand, Las Vegas
  • Waypoint VRcade, Mishawaka
  • Zero Latency, Bend, Oregon

References
  1. UTC, Ariel BogleAustralia2015-11-04 06:00:44. "Fightings zombies with Zero Latency is virtual reality gaming at its best". Mashable. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  2. Simpson, Campbell. "This Is Zero Latency, The Future Of Immersive Gaming". www.gizmodo.com.au. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  3. "Kill Zombies at Melbourne's Virtual Reality Game Centre | The Creators Project". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  4. "Australia just opened the first ever virtual reality entertainment facility". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  5. "Good Game Stories - Zero Latency". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  6. Hopewell, Luke. "Meet Zero Latency: The Future Of Immersive Gaming, Built In Australia". www.gizmodo.com.au. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  7. Lang, Ben. "Inversion Project: 'Pop-up' VR Environment, Zombie Game Demo Video". Road to VR. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  8. McCarthy, Tyler (2014-07-02). "Fighting Zombies Just Got Intense With This Virtual Reality System". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  9. "Holodeck-style virtual reality gets a step closer with the Inversion VR system". TechSpot. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  10. "Zero Latency - Inversion VR by Zero Latency". Pozible. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  11. "Zero Latency: The VR revolution begins in Melbourne, Australia". CNET. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  12. "Zero Latency". Fast Company. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  13. "Zero Latency: The VR revolution begins in Melbourne, Australia". CNET. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  14. "Zombie virtual reality Melbourne: Zero Latency's city warehouse brings the undead 'to life'".
  15. au, Dell. "Press Releases". Dell. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  16. "Virtual reality offers tantalising taste of brave new world". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  17. "Forget the joysticks — let's push the boundaries of virtual reality". news.usc.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  18. UTC, Ariel BogleAustralia2015-11-04 06:00:44. "Fightings zombies with Zero Latency is virtual reality gaming at its best". Mashable. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  19. "Immersive Virtual Reality gaming center opens in Australia". Engadget. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  20. UTC, Ariel BogleAustralia2015-11-04 06:00:44. "Fightings zombies with Zero Latency is virtual reality gaming at its best". Mashable. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  21. "We Killed Zombies at Melbourne's Virtual Reality Game Centre—And It Was Crazy | The Creators Project". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  22. "Virtual reality offer tantalising taste of brave new world".
  23. "Brisbane's New VR Experience Launches Today!". Press Start Australia - Bringing The Best Of Video Games & Gaming To Australia. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  24. "this. | Virtual reality: games". this. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  25. "World's first VR entertainment facility opens in Australia". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  26. "Zero Latency is igniting conversations about the future of VR technology in Australia - Startup Daily". Startup Daily. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  27. "Zero Latency uses Oculus Rift to kill zombies and help REA Group sell properties".
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