The Edge VR, virtual reality attraction, opens in Croton-on-Hudson – The Journal News

The Edge VR in Croton

The Edge VR in Croton is open Oct. 7, 2021. The new attraction is an immersive VR experience with a special experience called The Edge of Space.

Frank Becerra Jr., Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Taking a trip to outer space just got a little easier for those living on earth in the lower Hudson Valley.

A new virtual reality experience, The Edge VR, has openedin Croton-on-Hudson. It promises tobring customers to "the edge of space" through the use of "interactive and innovative"multi-player virtual reality.

The technology allows visitors to experience a virtual reality escape room combination without tethers as they maneuver through five environments virtually, and 20 x 20 square feet of space filled with propsphysically.

Westchester:New 'Fresh to Table' concept come to ShopRite in Mohegan Lake

lohud FoodInstagram:Check the latest Journal News stories here

For subscribers:What homeowners need to know about climate change and insurance

Think of it like an escape room mixed with VR where you wear a headset but no heavy backpacks like in other VR places that puts you into a virtual space, yet at the same time, players canmaneuver through an actual room with props.

"The nice thing with the system is (customers) won't get this experience anywhere else," co-founder Steven Leo said. "The virtual reality interaction and physical things in the space combine to have the best immersive experience you're going to get."

The Edge VR, founded by Leo and Adam Anfiteatro, has been in the works since 2015. After the launch of Samsung's Oculus virtual reality and a trip to a mall with mystery rooms, Anfiteatro wanted to find a way to put the two together.

In 2017, following two years of working on the virtual reality tracking technology, the team finished up the tech and built the game around it. And, in September, after a soft opening period, The Edge VR officially opened in Croton-on-Hudson.

"It began with the idea of being able to track people more immersively inside the virtual environment," Anfiteatro said. "We're able to do that through our proprietary magnetic tracking system. This system allows us to immerse our visitors more than conventional camera based systems."

The attraction allows three people to explore rooms and space for 25 minute, traversing it by becoming one of eight avatars.

"The idea is thrilling and some people consider it a novelty," Anfiteatro said. "I considered it a way for people to engage and be immersed. Where story telling can be done. The goal is to capture the hearts and imaginations of kids young and old."

"(The experience) is socially engaging," Anfiteatro said. "You get to physically interact with (the other people). We put some lightweight gear on you, no heavy backpacks or harnesses."

For Anfiteatro setting up the experience in Croton-on-Hudson was a no brainer, he's the owner of Hudson View Automative Service Inc.

"Croton is a community of very likeminded people," Anfiteatro said. "There's a lot of artists and creative people here. But it also fits into the narrative of Croton. We like knowing that we're amongst others that have similar creative ideas."

Go:33 North Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson; 914-271-3343; contact@theedgeunreal.com;theedgeunreal.com. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Tickets: $29.95 per person.

Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What's going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam. Contact Clark via email, hclark@lohud.com.

More:

The Edge VR, virtual reality attraction, opens in Croton-on-Hudson - The Journal News