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No more ball pit or air hockey: Chuck E. Cheese debuts Oculus Rift birthday parties
Electronic Products ^ | 05/23/2014 | Jeffrey Bausch

Posted on 05/30/2014 9:29:32 AM PDT by null and void

Kid’s entertainment company plans on bringing virtual reality-themed parties to a few of its venues Chuck E. Cheese, the popular kid’s entertainment company known for its venues filled with ball pits, videos games, and obstacle courses, is taking a giant step in to the 21st century by agreeing to pair with Reel FX, an Oculus Rift content creator, to try out a new virtual-reality video game in three of its markets.

The first test market is Dallas; from there, venues in San Diego and Orlando are expected to be tested next. The game, referred to as the “Ticket Blaster”, involves the “Birthday Star” going into a booth while wearing an Oculus Rift headset. He / she will then be guided by Chuck E. Cheese into a virtual world where the aim is to gather as many virtual tickets as possible.

As one would expect with any Oculus Rift game, the “Ticket Blaster” takes full advantage of the headset’s 360⁰ head-tracking technology and 3D-viewing capabilities. Also contributing to the gamer’s experience: air blows inside the booth to create a wind tunnel effect while actual, physical tickets flurry down around the child, all to give him / her the feeling of actually running through a tunnel while trying to grab tickets.

At the end of the game, the headset tallies up the number of tickets the child collected, which he / she can then use to redeem at the merchandise counter.

According to Roger Cardinale, president of CEC Entertainment, "Kids today have unprecedented access to game consoles and tablets. Our challenge is to deliver an experience not available at home, and there is no doubt virtual reality does just that."

Worth noting is that this is not the first time Chuck E. Cheese has worked with Reel FX. Back in 2012, the companies partnered up to revitalize the brand by reimagining the company’s character, Chuck E., as an electric-guitar playing rock star mouse.



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Who needs friends?
1 posted on 05/30/2014 9:29:32 AM PDT by null and void
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To: null and void

Life imitates Futurama. Virtual Virtual Skeeball. It’s almost like Virtual Skeeball.


2 posted on 05/30/2014 9:33:56 AM PDT by sportutegrl
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To: null and void

Our CEC closed years ago........................


3 posted on 05/30/2014 9:35:39 AM PDT by Red Badger (Soon there will be another American Civil War. Will make the first one seem like a Tea Party........)
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To: null and void

I do believe this is the 1st Chuck E. Cheese post that wasn’t about some urban over-celebration.


4 posted on 05/30/2014 9:38:54 AM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: null and void
Oculus Rift for caged chickens is like a Matrix for farm animals
5 posted on 05/30/2014 9:39:07 AM PDT by Cboldt
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5% Of Free Republics Community Donates.
What Is There To Say To Those Who CAN Donate But Won't?
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There Is No Graphic Or Plea That Will Make Those Posters Take Up The Slack.
So 5% Supports The Rest.
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6 posted on 05/30/2014 9:50:47 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: Red Badger

where do the parents go to drunkenly fight each other now?


7 posted on 05/30/2014 9:52:28 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: null and void

yeah i really want to put on goggles that a billion other people have worn, maybe pick up some lice that’s hopped on the straps. there is a huge potential hygiene issue where scores of little kids from all over,are concerned.

and if anyone’s dealt with daycare and knows how stuff spreads there, chuck e cheese is daycare with pizza and slightly cooler games.


8 posted on 05/30/2014 9:55:49 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: null and void

If you want a gut-busting laugh riot, get to know the IT guy in a Chuck E. Cheese. Then get him to run the adult program for the animatronics. It’ll have to be while the place is closed.


9 posted on 05/30/2014 9:55:54 AM PDT by wolfpat (Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. -- Cicero)
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To: Secret Agent Man
where do the parents go to drunkenly fight each other now?

I believe it is now at high school graduations.
10 posted on 05/30/2014 9:55:54 AM PDT by Carpe Cerevisi
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To: Secret Agent Man
where do the parents go to drunkenly fight each other now?

School board meetings ?

11 posted on 05/30/2014 9:56:16 AM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Pee-wee football games and soccer.......................


12 posted on 05/30/2014 9:57:05 AM PDT by Red Badger (Soon there will be another American Civil War. Will make the first one seem like a Tea Party........)
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To: wolfpat
get to know the IT guy in a Chuck E. Cheese

Yeah, I can't wait for the first time peels off that headset and goes screaming to mommy because somebody hacked the feed with (use your imagination...).

13 posted on 05/30/2014 10:00:50 AM PDT by Quality_Not_Quantity (Liars use facts when the truth doesn't suit their purposes.)
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To: null and void

14 posted on 05/30/2014 10:01:45 AM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: Red Badger

Soon Little League games will all be virtual


15 posted on 05/30/2014 10:01:51 AM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: null and void

It’s all fun and games until the kids accidentally wear the adult goggles programmed with porn.


16 posted on 05/30/2014 10:03:18 AM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: optional, printed after your name on post)
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To: Rebelbase

Wow, this is a FABULOUS idea.

Have the kids stuff their cake-holes with pizza while sitting doing nothing but watching.

Good training for the future of adulthood.


17 posted on 05/30/2014 10:16:56 AM PDT by The Antiyuppie ("When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day.")
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To: Quality_Not_Quantity

LOL

A friend of mine set up the Chuck E. Cheese in Raleigh in the late 70s/early 80s. At that time, they sent the program to run the robots on a cassette tape. They had two. One for the regular kiddies, and one just to entertain the staff. The second one was riddled with foul language and gestures, and was hilarious.


18 posted on 05/30/2014 10:24:28 AM PDT by wolfpat (Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. -- Cicero)
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To: GeronL

And everyone will be a virtual winner.


19 posted on 05/30/2014 10:36:39 AM PDT by ObozoMustGo2012
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To: ObozoMustGo2012

did they ban pit balls???


20 posted on 05/30/2014 10:38:58 AM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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