FAQ

Please read!

IS THIS A VR ARCADE?

Not really! In most VR Arcades you stand alone in a small booth wearing a VR Headset which is tethered to a computer by a cable and browse a catalogue of games - many of which you could play at home. Not so here!

At The Mind Factory you and your team mates can roam free around our large play-area, see each other in virtual reality, and interact with each other. The experiences have been created especially for this free-roam environment. The immersion you will experience is an incredible feeling!

WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?

We are open Wednesdays - Sundays from 11am - 9pm.

DO I NEED TO BOOK?

Yes. All bookings must be made in advance through our website. If you are in the area and we are open, we may be able to accommodate you for a walk-in session, but this is not guaranteed, so better to book in advance.

We require full payment upfront to secure your booking.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Players and guests must be aged 14 or above. This is due to the intense game play, which can be overwhelming for younger children, and general health guidance for the use of virtual reality equipment.

A parent or guardian must be present at all times for all individuals under 18 years of age. This is so that a waiver can be signed by a responsible adult aged 18 or over. A minimum of 1 adult per booking (aged 18+) must remain on site to supervise any minors.

Players may not swap with spectators during the booking.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN PLAY?

We are currently set up for a team of 2 or 3 players.

For 4, 5 or 6 players, please book two sessions back to back and we will try to minimise time in between. IE for 6 players, please book two 3-player experiences back to back.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES / CORPORATE EVENTS

The Mind Factory is a great place to come for a work event or celebrate a birthday!!

We can accommodate up to 3 players so for a group of 6 we suggest booking two sessions back-to-back and we will minimise the time between games (needed for charging and cleaning).

For weekday bookings please email us and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Players must be aged 12 or above. This is due to the intense game play which can be frightening for younger children and general health guidance for the use of VR equipment.

In addition to the 2 or 3 players, a maximum of three people can spectate. Players may not swap with spectators during the booking.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your event or birthday plans 🥳 hello@themindfactory.net

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT TO HOME VR?

Very! We use VIVE PRO Headsets with Wireless Adaptors and a high-end gaming PC for each player, plus a gaming server to coordinate the action. At the Mind Factory you are able to physically walk around within the virtual world by walking around our large play area in the real world. Plus your team mates will be in the VR space with you, you can see their hand/feet/body movements and even high-five them. We're confident you will be really impressed!

IS IT SCARY?

Some of our virtual reality experiences can be extremely realistic, resulting in a range of intense emotions for the user. You may be scared, made to feel unsafe, unsure of your footings, or experience jumps / shocks or frights - it’s all part of the thrill! Other experiences can help you relax, unwind and amaze you with wonder. Everyone is different and we are more than happy to help choose an appropriate experience for you ahead of you making a booking.

Some of our experiences contain zombies and monsters which can be a bit creepy. Please check the age rating for your experience before booking.

Remember, the experiences are designed to thrill rather than scare - just like a roller coaster - you may scream but you'll be smiling too!

We're confident you'll have a blast and be back to try another experience soon.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

A battery pack will need to be clipped to your waist so please bear that in mind. Trousers or something with a belt works well. Leggings are problematic. Comfortable footwear is important. Please don't wear heels as you might trip.

IS THE ACTIVITY PHYSICALLY STRENUOUS?

Some of our VR experiences can be tiring - not because of strenuous exercise but from the tension, visual action and adrenaline. It's intense! This is why we recommend you only play one game per visit.

WILL I HAVE TO PLAY WITH STRANGERS?

No. Our experiences are all private bookings. Apart from our staff, your group will be the only people on site.

IS VR SAFE?

MOST PEOPLE CAN USE OUR HIGH-END VR EQUIPMENT WITHOUT EXPERIENCING ANY DISCOMFORT AT ALL. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS - EITHER AT THE TIME OF USE OR AFTERWARDS. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A WAIVER BEFORE USING OUR VR EQUIPMENT.

Eye strain
High volumes in the headphones (There is a volume control)
Flickering screens and flashing images which could trigger underlying health conditions
Motion sickness
Headaches
Equipment may affect some medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers etc
The equipment and media content of some experiences may affect those with pre-existing medical or mental health conditions
May affect pregnant women adversely
It is possible to feel claustrophobia, panic, or other phobias
Objects in the real world may not be visible in the virtual world
Objects in the virtual world may not exist in the real world
Feelings of disorientation may be felt at the end of the experience
Repeated use may exaggerate the effects above

Read the full waiver form HERE

CAN I CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE MY RESERVATION?

Unfortunately, tickets are non-refundable. However, if you need to reschedule in the event of an emergency or someone in the group becoming ill, please contact us in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your group at another time.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE LATE?

You should arrive at exactly the scheduled start time of your booking. We really do need to get your experience started and completed on time so that, at the conclusion of your experience, we have adequate time to clean the room and prepare for the next team. If your game does start late because you didn’t arrive on time, we may have to shorten your experience so we can be ready for the next booking.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEOS?

Because the experience requires your full attention from the moment you enter The Mind Factory, we ask that players forget about their phones for the duration of their booking. There will be an opportunity to take photos after your experience finishes and our staff will be happy to help.

FOOD AND DRINK

In the interests of hygiene and safety, no food or drink can be brought to The Mind Factory other than a bottle of water which we will happily refill for you if needed.

CAN I WEAR GLASSES?

Most prescription glasses fit inside the VR Headset. If your prescription is of “low strength” you may prefer to play without your glasses. We will help you find what’s most comfortable.

WILL MY EXPERIENCE BE CUT SHORT IF I'M "KILLED" IN THE GAME?

No! It will affect your score but in all our games you will be revived - either by your team mates or automatically, depending on the VR game you are playing.

CAN I BOOK MORE THAN ONE GAME?

Our experiences are really intense so we only recommend you play one game per visit, especially if it's your first time at The Mind Factory. If you're certain you want to have two experiences you are welcome to book two sessions back-to-back.

DO YOU HAVE PARKING?

There is plenty of street parking around us, and the best place is right outside our front door! Depending on the time of day you visit, it is pay and display for £1.50 for 2 hours. There are also the large multi-storey car parks at Queensgate, 10/15 minute walk. There is also a carpark on Brooke Street, PE1 1TU, which is a 5 minute walk away.

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