Inside Immersive Gamebox, a new interactive gaming concept in the UAE


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A new immersive gaming concept, where players use their entire body to interact with a game, has made its way to Dubai and Sharjah from London.

Immersive Gamebox, which utilises high-tech rooms equipped with patented touch screens, 3D motion tracking and surround sound, are similar to virtual reality games, but promise an almost gearless experience. Players only need to wear visors for what the company calls a "hyper-immersive" experience.

Two Immersive Gamebox branches have opened within Magic Planet outlets in City Centre Mirdif in Dubai and City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah, with more being planned across the UAE.

The games at the newly launched Gamebox typically run for 15 to 30 minutes, but some titles last up to an hour. Photo: Majid Al Futtaim
The games at the newly launched Gamebox typically run for 15 to 30 minutes, but some titles last up to an hour. Photo: Majid Al Futtaim

How it works

The games in Immersive Gamebox are made for two to six players and are meant to be competitive, with each player donning a visor. Once a game is selected, teams are created and the competition begins. There are currently 12 titles to choose from, including the popular Squid Game and Angry Birds. Other titles include Alien Aptitude Test, Ticket to Mars and Psychedelic Mansion, as well as Temple of Coins and Trivia Mash-up.

The games, which are also available in Arabic, typically run for 15 to 30 minutes — but some titles last up to an hour.

First launched in 2019, Immersive Gamebox was cofounded by Will Dean, its chief executive, and David Spindler, who serves as the company's chief financial officer. Dean was the founder and former chief executive of the popular endurance event Tough Mudder.

The gaming platform has since expanded to 16 locations across Europe and the US, including London, New York and Berlin. It plans to open 250 locations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East over the next three years.

“The Middle East has a burgeoning leisure and entertainment sector and, we look forward to leveraging the growth opportunities that the Emirates presents,” Dean tells The National.

He says he is particularly excited about the localisation of some of the titles.

“It’s been great to see our content transformed and localised into Arabic,” he says.

“UAE is becoming a hotspot in the entertainment space. So many production studios are working with the region and it’s been inspiring to watch all the content that’s being filmed in the region recently.”

Tickets to Immersive Gamebox start at Dh70 per person. More information is available at immersivegamebox.com

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Saturday's results

Women's third round

  • 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4. 6-0
  • Coco Vandeweghe (USA) beat Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4
  •  9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat 19-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
  • Petra Martic (Croatia) beat Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 7-6, 6-1
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4, 6-0

Men's third round

  • 13-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-1, 6-1 -- retired
  • Sam Queery (United States) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
  • 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 25-Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
  • 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
  • 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
  • Adrian Mannarino (France) beat 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The biog:

Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian 

Favourite food: Pizza 

Best food on the road: rice

Favourite colour: silver 

Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda

Favourite biking destination: Canada 

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Updated: February 14, 2023, 4:06 PM`