About Us - Our Story
In the 90s and early 2000s, Nick and Josh from Prince George, B.C., discovered their passion for gaming and technology. From the original NES and Sega Genesis to PlayStation and Xbox, we immersed ourselves in the evolution of gaming, including PC titles like World of Warcraft and Starcraft. During high school, the name "All Around GamerZ" was coined for our group of gamer friends, accompanied by dreams of creating our own video games or starting a business.
Fueled by sci-fi movies like The Matrix, our interest in Virtual Reality (VR) grew, even as it seemed a distant possibility. We witnessed the gaming industry's transformation from 8-bit graphics to stunning 3D open worlds. In entrepreneurship classes, we collaborated on the original All Around GamerZ business plan, envisioning a gaming lounge and LAN café with game and hardware rentals, PC building, and concessions, long before consumer-ready VR tech was available.
Life took us on separate paths, but fate reunited us in Kamloops, B.C., as VR technology emerged with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Introduced to VR by a mutual friend, titles like SUPERHOT and Space Pirate Trainer blew us away, turning dreams into reality. Inspired by the mantra "Don't let your dreams be dreams," we pursued our vision of a VR arcade.
In December 2017, after meticulous planning, we opened Kamloops' first and only VR arcade with two VR stations. Despite challenges, including a pandemic closure, we persevered and expanded to six VR stations. In 2021, we opened a second location in Prince George, gaining traction in our hometown.
We offer a premium VR experience that surpasses typical home setups, featuring multiple units so friends can play together in a dedicated, family-friendly environment. Our expert VR guides are on hand to assist, making it a great venue for birthday parties, team building, and both single and multiplayer games. We showcase the best VR has to offer and pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, we love introducing people to VR for the first time!
From the thousands of VR players to countless birthday parties hosted, and participation in community events like Rib Fest, Canada Day, and Kamcon, to our amazing staff keeping us thriving seven days a week. The wild times and countless memories have solidified our place in the community.
We're proud to lead the charge in VR, believing in its potential beyond entertainment, with applications in education, healthcare, and much more. By driving VR adoption, we aim to unlock new experiences and opportunities for everyone. We want more cool tech!
Interested in joining us on this journey and exploring business opportunities? We'd love to hear from you!
Email: [email protected]