A Myrtle Beach entertainment venue is redefining the traditional arcade by offering immersive virtual reality experiences for all ages. Interactive Experience Unleashed (IEU), located at 7621 N. Kings Highway, combines cutting-edge technology to transport players into a virtual world like never before.
Richard Thai, the manager at IEU, describes the venue as a unique gaming destination, powered by an innovative blend of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR). These technologies work together to create an unparalleled gaming experience that captivates both young and old.
Exploring the Realities: AR, VR, and MR
Augmented reality (AR) overlays computer-generated images onto real-world environments, enhancing the viewer’s perception of their surroundings. Virtual reality (VR), on the other hand, immerses users in a completely artificial environment through sensory stimuli such as sights and sounds. Mixed reality (MR) combines elements of both AR and VR, allowing real-world and digital elements to interact seamlessly.
At the heart of IEU’s offerings is the Vex Play area, where players don Pico 4 VR headsets—hailed by Thai as the “Ferrari” of VR headsets. This setup allows players to engage in MR experiences, selecting games and interacting with others in the virtual play area.
Innovative Gaming Experiences
IEU offers a range of games that showcase the potential of these technologies. In “Granny’s Alien Invasion,” players become animated grannies defending fresh-baked cake from alien invaders using handheld vacuums. “Jump a Cheese” follows a similar objective, featuring astronaut mice protecting their cheese planet from bugs. Meanwhile, “Buckshot Bonanza” immerses players in a western cowboy plot, complete with competitive shooting and ziplining adventures.
“Four people can go in or we usually see one kid playing with two other kids they don’t know, but they all see each other playing [in the game],” Thai said.
In the Valo-Arena, technology reminiscent of Xbox Kinect or Wii Sports offers AR experiences. Players step onto a tiled floor displayed on a large screen, using their feet to interact with the game. “Ground Fall” challenges players with a virtual ‘floor-is-lava’ scenario, while another game immerses them in a bank heist with a ‘red-light, green-light’ objective.
Time-Based Gaming and Pricing
Each game lasts approximately five to eight minutes, depending on player skill. Thai emphasizes the value of their time-based system, stating, “We always say the four-hour is more bang for your buck.” The venue recently adjusted its pricing, with four-hour admission now costing $29.99 and one-hour play priced at $18.99.
In addition to high-tech video games, IEU offers a children’s playground featuring ball pits, slides, and tunnels. A four-hour playground card costs $14.99 and includes the grip socks required for play. The Firebird Cafe provides refreshments such as pizza, hot dogs, and popcorn for players needing a break.
Celebrations and Future Plans
IEU caters to parties with four dedicated rooms, where avatars can be programmed with birthday hats to mark the occasion in the virtual world. The venue also boasts the world’s first MR and animatronics experience, “The Curse of Calypso,” which guides players through an adventure with famous pirate Blackbeard, culminating in an escape from the Netherworld.
IEU has more planned in 2026, including annual membership deals, virtual reality golf, and additional party rooms.
This development follows a growing trend of entertainment venues incorporating advanced technology to enhance customer experiences. As IEU continues to expand its offerings, it represents a significant step forward in the evolution of interactive entertainment, setting a new standard for arcades worldwide.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, venues like IEU are at the forefront, offering experiences that blend reality with the virtual, providing endless possibilities for entertainment and engagement.
