New World Rides is changing one element of thrill rides–and VR–which no one will miss.

They’re removing the motion-sickness component, as they host Tallahassee’s first virtual-reality arcade!

Their revolutionary ride, the Roto Loco, spins 360 degrees on three axes as riders play an interactive virtual-reality game. And creator Dr. Nick Suttell, CEO of New World Rides, has designed the Roto Loco so that riders don’t get sick!

In fact, on their website, New World Rides explains that riders control the ride’s rotation. Meanwhile, reviews on the website, while describing the ride as “fun” and “thrilling”, also use the words “soothing” and “comfortable”!

A “VRcade” of options

Riders can experience the Roto Loco, on which they can play the game “Shuttle 39”, at New World Rides’ “VRcade”, in the Railroad Square Art District.

In addition, or if thrill rides aren’t someone’s thing, VRcade’s arena offers a number of VR experiences, designed to get people moving and interacting with friends.

And this is about much more than offering entertainment experiences.

In their mission statement, New World Rides says they hope to “inspire others and get them excited about engineering and the arts”. They also have the goal of bringing people out to enjoy truly immersive experiences with family and friends.

Meanwhile, they’re inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Every Friday, Nick says, they’ve been taking their arena VR games to a local summer STEM camp, introducing the young participants to immersive experiences.

Nick, who has a PhD in mechanical engineering, talked about creating the Roto Loco, what visitors can experience at VRcade, and what’s next!

On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:

• How Nick’s passion for designing roller coasters, combined with his experience as a gamer, led him to create the Roto Loco;

• The physical reasons behind motion sickness, and how Nick engineered the Roto Loco so riders could avoid them;

• An imaginary “visit” to VRcade;

• What riders experience during “Shuttle 39”, the game currently on the Roto Loco;

• Some of the additional VR games, including escape rooms and creativity-enhancing applications, in VRcade;

• The creative considerations behind designing a good VR game or experience;

• How Nick and New World Rides are inspiring the next generation of STEAM creators;

• What Nick enjoys most, about interacting with the children to whom he’s introducing his VR experiences;

• How to attend VRcade;

• A look at the birthday parties they host;

• How Nick would like to grow New World Rides in the future;

• How the community can support them;

• Some additional events they offer.