For those who enjoy cutting-edge gameplay, modern technology, and engaging entertainment, few places in the area beat Oelwein Virtual Reality Studios on S. Frederick. Owned and founded by Vernon May, the venue has brought the thrilling experience of virtual reality home, offering a first taste of what many believe is the future of interactive gaming.
Originally from Texas, May came to Oelwein from Missouri five years ago, accepting a position with Windstream Communications. Soon after, however, he had the opportunity to write a telecommunications training manual related to his professional expertise, which he developed after nearly two decades working in the telephone industry.
Writing this book catapulted May to a professional focus on training others in her industry, a career move that began by offering on-site sessions before moving exclusively to virtual trainings during the COVID pandemic. 19. While he is currently focused on preparing others to work on telecom-related copper, fiber optic and fixed wireless systems, May said that currently 40% of his clients came from Canada.
Having settled further into the community, the idea of opening what would become VR Studios emerged, largely based on his observations of the recreational opportunities available in his new hometown. It was his perception that in Oelwein, “people have nothing to do, especially children”, a realization that motivated him to consider
what kind of family and fun environment he could create.
In October 2021, this desire, combined with his technological skills and abilities, gave birth to Oelwein Virtual Reality Studios.
At VR Studios, May’s customers revel in an exciting virtual gaming experience. Serving customers by appointment only, participants use special virtual reality glasses or headsets, often with wearable components, to enter a virtual and interactive world where the individual feels truly immersed. May identified Beat Saber, a VR music-themed game in which players cut to the beats of music as they hurtle towards them through a futuristic environment, as one of the most popular games for kids. visitors, although it is only one of many that can be selected. Of the games available, including one with a roller coaster, May said: “The variety is amazing.”
What sets VR Studios Oelwein apart from others that may offer VR options isn’t the games themselves. As May described the difference, “Hardware is available everywhere, but the extra I add is having enough space to fully enjoy games.”
With his central role in May’s business, it’s no surprise he’s recently upgraded his space considerably. Of those changes, May said, “I added a bunch of wall art and decorative lighting,” some examples of upgrades that cost her around $8,000, but hit their mark. goal, and more. “These are fantastic changes,” he noted.
May identified the current capacity of his establishment as a group of 10 children, while explaining that, perhaps surprisingly, he had few customers in the typical age group of junior or senior high school students. . He also indicated that his business has been very well received by the community. “I got huge feedback from people,” he said, while adding, “but there just aren’t enough people.”
As a result, May took a realistic view of her business. He noted, “I don’t plan on it being my main business,” adding that financially he only hopes to break even. Any profits made by VR Studios, May said, will be used to further improve its business, including in the form of purchasing additional VR hardware. His plan, as he put it, is to “reinvest all profits until October 1, 2023”, when he expects to have no more room to expand.
May also noted that her location will soon be changing its name to reflect a greater emphasis on physical game availability. To mark this transition, on Friday, October 7, VR Studios will host an open house, with drinks, snacks, and free gameplay available, ahead of the venue’s grand reopening on Saturday, October 8.
On this date, Virtual Reality Studios Oelwein will become Fun 4 Oelwein.
Looking ahead, May is considering other in-store changes, such as possibly serving light food at her location. It also hopes to continue upgrading its games and hardware, even if full expansion is reached by 2023.
But it does not stop there.
May said he would also consider expanding to other towns in the area, such as Independence and Fayette, although any community should have “2,000 to 3,000 people”.
Building on the family atmosphere and the reputation of her business is also a key concern for May. For example, he hopes to work with local schools to offer a free hour of play to any student who gets A’s on their report card, which he says would be “a positive thing in every direction.”
At the VR studios themselves, proper attire must be worn by all visitors, while no profanity or alcohol is permitted. Regarding the latter, May said, “Planet Earth already has a lot of bars.”
About the kind of misbehavior that occurs in other venues or that which may have occurred in similar establishments in the past, May is adamant in stating that he will not tolerate anything of the sort.
“That’s not going to happen in my building,” he concluded emphatically.
