Games bring us together in many ways, we play them for fun, for competition, for fame and fortune. Sometimes games bring us new ways to play and to enjoy the company of others, as well as meet new people in unexpected ways. The unexpected is what can lead you to new and fun possibilities with others right in your own community.

I participate in a local Cribbage league at a local business called Tapped on the Lakeshore, which is close to where I live. Most every Tuesday I head over, buy a few drinks, sit down and play my favorite card game, and socialize with others. Sometimes people cannot make it and they require a fill-in player and when this happens, we get to meet new people. One such evening a co-worker had to play a new fill-in and she told me that the person she was playing liked games, so of course I had to go over and introduce myself. Who knew it would lead to unexpected new gaming experiences soon.

I walked up to a gentleman and introduced myself. He shook my hand and introduced himself, “Hi I’m Ken.” He asked me if I liked games and with a laugh I told him, my gaming past of playing games, writing about games, and podcasting about games. He said, “Well I love board games and I also own the VR Game Room in town.” Shocked, at what I just head, I became interested in the path he had chosen, I asked about games and VR sets and what prompted him into this. So naturally he invited me to come check it out and of course I accepted it.

Kenneth Schafer is the owner of VR Game Room located in Manitowoc WI. I was fortunate enough to go and visit his business along with my friend John. Upon arriving, Ken greeted us both and told us a bit about the history of the business and the VR games that he had. Also, he talked about board games, which he proudly showed us, and games that he enjoyed in both VR and board game form. Once the tour was finalizing, he brought us to the rooms with the VR. After removing our shoes, both John and I geared up to jump into the virtual space. He explained the button layouts and when we saw a grid within the headset, we knew we were getting too close to a wall. This was very convenient and a great way to maintain safety. Then we were introduced to the games that can be played on the Meta , Vive, and other platforms.

First game – Eleven Assassin – This game is an action RPG tower defense game in which you and up to three other players defend your stronghold from hordes of monsters, such as orcs and dragons through a variety of ways. The simple arrow is the main way to discard the enemies. As you progress you can unlock new forms of monster removal, such as homing arrows, fire and ice arrows, and arrows that create worm holes to who knows where. The short time we had with this as well as the alternate areas we got to try was a lot of fun with friends. All three of us played at one point and it was enjoyable. 

Second game – Smashbox Area – This game was an exciting multiplayer dodgeball-like game.  We got to train before starting the match and we got to pick up various projectiles and throw them at the opponents. We played several matches in a variety of stages, and it was an absolute blast to obtain the projectile, try and fire it at the other team, all while trying to dodge oncoming ballistics. 

Third game – Pistol Whip – This game was a wonderful single player experience for me. It was like dancing in the matrix while shooting bullets at virtual bad guys, all while avoiding there oncoming ammo. You got to choose a song to accompany you in a level and it was both fun and energizing as you danced and exercised to the end of the level.  

After a few hours of playing, we ended up discussing the games we had just experienced. How fun and engaging the worlds we just encountered. We felt something a bit more inclusive while playing those games. After much discussion Ken invited us to Play some Mario Kart on Nintendo Switch and of course I didn’t want to show off my mad karting skills, so I graciously took a lower placement, but in all seriousness, Ken was an amazing kart driver and an even more gracious host. Before we left Ken showed us the local art on the wall that is for sale, he is proud to showcase local artists and their amazing talents. He told us about how he really loves to promote the community and charities within it. He talked about how he enjoyed educating others on VR such as the local robotics club, schools, sports teams, and businesses. Giving back to the community is such an important part of the citizens who dwell there. I wholeheartedly agree with Ken that a sense of community and being an advocate for educating and giving back to the community is a vital and important avenue that everyone should pursue.

My friend John Pondo told me, “I liked the layout of the rooms for the VR, something I have not done prior to that, and the archery game was really fun.” Vouching for what John said we both can say the archery game was a blast and was really a highlight of the VR experience we got to partake in along with Ken.  Ken was a vital part to are overall magnificent experience we had that day, and I recommend anyone to go check it out.

VR insight: Interview

 1. Origins and Inspiration– What inspired you to start a VR game lounge, and how did you get started in this industry?

Me and my buddies are big tech nerds and loved VR, we knew the area didn’t have much to offer for young people and thought it could be a fun and interesting opportunity.

 2. Business Operations – What are the biggest challenges you face in running a VR game lounge? – How do you choose which VR games and experiences to offer? 

I am a big researcher but, I looked online and at reviews doggedly to select titles, I went to other VR arcades and spoke with other owners to see what went well with them. After the initial purchase I make sure to ask my customer base if there were games they have heard about or wanted to play that we didn’t have, after I hear the same name enough times we take a look at purchasing.

 3. Technology and Innovation – How do you stay updated with the latest VR technology and trends? – What advancements in VR technology are you most excited about? 

 Being a big fan of technology helps take care of being up to date. As far as advancements go, I really like that VR becomes more and more mainstream every year, it seems counter intuitive to like the oculus quest because it threatens business, but honestly more widespread adoption means more support for games and developers. This ultimately helps me.

 4. Customer Experience- What kind of feedback do you receive from first-time VR users? – How do you ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all your customers? 

I try to make new users experience a wonderful one. I’m very hands on with teaching VR. I tell anyone that comes in, I have experiences for people that have never touched a game all the way to pro gamers. When registering I like to ask them about their taste in games and what they enjoy, this helps guide recommendations.

 5. Marketing and Community – How do you attract new customers and retain regulars? – What role does the local community play in your business? 

Honestly community involvement is a big piece of how we gain business. I support a lot of local schools for event prize support as well as learning experiences, I work with charities and local sports teams. I think community is huge and I try to use our business to help those that need it.

 6. Unique Offerings – Do you offer any unique VR experiences or games that set your lounge apart from others? – Can you share any memorable or interesting stories from your lounge?

To be honest our lineups are like almost all other arcades, we try to set ourselves apart by being helpful and attentive to users when they come into play. This means that we need to be knowledgeable and experienced in our games. My most memorable moment from the lounge was helping a local robotics team with explaining to them how VR worked and how they could use it for the contest they were participating in. They were all so great and appreciated the help so much. They gave me an oversized card that sits underneath my desk to this day.

 7. Future Prospects – How do you see the future of VR gaming evolving in the next five years? – Are there any upcoming VR projects or expansions you are particularly excited about?

I think now that Apple has created a VR unit, more people are stepping into VR and making the genre more profitable for developers, and that means more and better-quality games for us. I am excited to see how the industry grows.

8. Personal Insights – What is your favorite VR game or experience, and why? – If you could create a VR experience based on anything, what would it be?

 I think one of my favorite VR experiences would have to be the touring around the world with VR immersion, so many cool and interesting sites to see that now are only a step away. Creators have gone out of their way to make traveling accessible for those who are unfortunate enough to not be able to.

Word of Thanks!

I want to thank Ken for an absolutely wonderful experience at the VR game Room. His professionalism, his knowledge, his passion, and down-to-earth persona were refreshing and is vital to having such a successful business platform. I invite anyone to reach out to Ken and the VR Game Room and schedule some time to experience it yourself.

Address: 2102 Marshall Street, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin

Phone: (920) 320-9777

Current Hours:

Have you played any VR games before? If not, what’s stopping you? If so, what have been your favorite games to play? What VR headsets have you used? I cannot wait to see where the future of VR technology will take us, but I know it will be on a wild ride into an epic world where we can bask in the virtual sun.

Share your reactions below or join the conversation on the Boss Rush Discord.  

Shane Kelley is a Senior writer for Boss Rush Network, as well as a writer for Another Zelda Podcast. His favorite game is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You can find him on Twitter to talk video games, Marvel, and axe throwing.

Image Source: Ken Schafer