Yahoo News ‘I tried Manchester Airport’s new gaming zone and it was so much fun’
A new game zone has opened up at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 complete with a virtual reality escape room and a Formula 1 simulator. Game Point is the first of its kind to be launched at an UK airport, providing passengers with immersive entertainment while they wait to board their flight.
Located in the Terminal 1 departure lounge, it features computers loaded up with all the top games including Fortnite, Red Dead Redemption 2, Among Us, Minecraft and more; as well as a Nintendo Switch, Formula 1 simulator and a virtual reality headset.
It’s not just for kids, as players of all ages can take part, although there are some restrictions for certain games. Prices for a gaming session start from just £7.50 for 30 minutes and it's a great way to kill time while waiting for your holiday to begin. Available to passengers flying out of Terminal 1, it can be booked online in advance, although walk-ins are accepted if there’s available space.
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Although I would usually settle down with a drink and a magazine while waiting for a flight, I gave the new Gaming Point a go and tried the activities it had to offer - and it was a lot of fun. The area is divided up into zones with the PCs, the Formula 1 simulator, Nintendo Switch and then a separate room which hosts the virtual reality escape room.
Inside, you’re given a headset to put on along with two controllers for your hands. As the game begins, the room is transformed before your eyes - in our case a spaceship - and you’re suddenly in a different world.
You can still hear what’s going on around you, but all you can see is the game that you’re playing and the avatars of the other players. I'd never experienced virtual reality before and I was surprised at how immersive it was. It's also incredibly fun.
Just like a traditional escape room you’re given a problem to solve with various clues to follow. The difference is, you’re not using physical props or exploring a physical environment, instead you use the controllers to ‘pick up’ items, and, as you interact with the environment, it responds around you.
There’s no danger of bumping into walls either, as a blue grid appears on your display when you get too close. You can also see the other players inside the virtual world too, so you shouldn’t end up colliding. Friends and family can watch the game unfold on a screen outside - but don’t worry, it shows the animated game, not footage of you wandering around with the headset on (although I'm sure that would be rather entertaining to watch).
It’s extremely fun - and a little challenging at times - but definitely takes your mind off waiting for your flight to board. In fact it’s hard to believe there’s a bustling airport just outside the door as you’re trying to steer a space ship and make sure all the components are in the right place. You can still hear flight announcements while you’re in the game, which is rather surreal but reassuring at the same time, so even if you do get caught up in the game you won’t miss your flight.
After exiting the VR escape room-turned-spaceship I hopped into the driver’s seat to take a Formula 1 car for a spin. There’s a proper recliner seat which you sit back in, pedals for your feet and a steering wheel bejewelled with all sorts of buttons (luckily for my test run they weren’t required).
You can see the track on the screen and it really does feel like you're driving the car (it was a lot more immersive than my usual go-to game, Mario Kart). As you negotiate the track you need to accelerate, brake and steer while avoiding your fellow drivers and the sides of the track. It’s very entertaining, even if you crash several times like I did.
Then there are several computers where you can choose from a selection of games for different ages. This is the beauty of Gaming Point, in that there is something for everyone and, even if you don’t think it’s for you, you might be surprised. And, for those wanting to try out the Switch, there are two bean bags to relax on.
It’s the first time Gaming Point has opened at a UK airport, with Manchester leading the way in entertainment for passengers. Graeme Stewart, director of Gaming Point, said: “I am thrilled to open Gaming Point at Manchester Airport - a first-of-its-kind for UK airports and a concept that truly provides a fun, and innovative experience for passengers to enjoy in Terminal 1.
“Excitingly, with the range of gaming options we have, there is something for every type of gamer. Our innovative space is designed to transform the time before boarding into an exciting part of the travel experience and giving passengers the chance to try something they’ve never experienced.”
You can book a session at Gaming Point here. Alternatively walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability.
