A new interactive game centre in Richmond's Bridgeport area is looking to mix exercise and fun.
Go! Game On is a light-up game room facility in former Tantra Fitness's location on Beckwith Road, next to Costco. It has soft-opened and its official grand opening will be this Saturday.
The interactive-themed rooms include a mission-impossible-style laser game, a target-throwing game, a light-up floor tile game and a hide-and-seek-style math game.
Co-owner Suiki Zhang said interactive-themed rooms have been a growing trend in North America and Asia and she wanted to introduce it to Richmond.
She told the Richmond News the idea sprouted from the idea of a person who does not like going to a gym.
"I never go to a gym and I never really work out. I just like interactive activities including badminton," said Zhang.
"We don't have any of these games in Richmond and it combines the concept of fitness and fun together."
Many of the games have cooperative and competitive modes, while the hide-and-seek room tests a group's mental math skills without being caught by the "devil's eye."
An additional feature of the game centre is a "fate friend zone" corner for people to connect with other community members.
It allows people to fill out their contact information or social media handles or draw one that is already in the box.
There is also a snack bar, which is included for free in some admission prices. Visitors can book online or walk in with a choice of 20, 40 or 60-minute playtime.
"We want to bring something fun and suitable for families to enjoy together that also promotes a healthy lifestyle," said Zhang.
"We believe this is a space where people can come and take their worries away and just have fun."
Second business venture for co-owners
Opening a business is nothing new for Zhang and co-owner Justin Tang as both already have their own businesses.
Zhang is the founder of Richmond-based Milkcha, known for its bubble tea in a baby bottle, and Tang is the founder of Exit Canada, the first escape gaming facility in the country.
They told the News this new venture together has been a "very hands-on experience" from the beginning.
Everything from the flooring to the software programming of the games was set up on their own, according to Zhang.
"We have to figure out and do a lot of testing because there were so many components in not only each game but the facility entirely," she said, something that would have been difficult to coordinate if they had to have hired several contractors.
"We couldn't really hire construction and renovation guys to compose all the software and hardware together in case the components weren't connected correctly and we'd have to remove everything and start over."
She added this allowed them to bring down the cost of labour work, and to open their business within three months of receiving their keys in September.
Tang said a gaming facility, different from escape rooms, was something he wanted to try running.
"I've always been wanting to create something that can accommodate people who might now necessarily be looking for the kind of entertainment where they need to problem solve, but just play," he said.
"I have a passion for creating experiences for people."
Both Zhang and Tang said the goal is for people to have fun late in the evening after dinner, maybe instead of having dessert.
"We also want this to be a place of connection and to meet friends, because it seems to be something very hard to do for people nowadays, especially when you grow older," said Zhang.
During the soft opening period, Go! Game On is offering 25 per cent off for visitors until its grand opening on Dec. 14.
The first 20 customers on grand opening day will receive free admission while everyone else will receive 20 per cent off until Dec. 21.
Go! Game On is open every day from noon to midnight at 1040 - 9111 Beckwith Rd.
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