# Expanded VR Gaming Centers IMAX and Cineplex are Bringing Their Immersive Experiences to Canada By Riley von Niessen | Published 2017-11-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imax-and-cineplex References: [imax](https://www.imax.com/content/imax-and-cineplex-expand-partnership-adding-two-auditoriums-and-imax-vr-centre-canada) & [imaxvr.imax](https://imaxvr.imax.com/) [IMAX](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xgimis-horizon-max) and Cineplex previously opened VR gaming centers in Shanghai, Los Angeles, and New York, and are now expanding to Canada as well, with new locations set to open up in Toronto's [Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/where-escape-begins), and Regina's Cineplex Cinemas Normanview. At these locations, consumers will be able to take part in what IMAX and Cineplex are calling a "a mind-shattering VR experience with insanely [immersive visuals and 360 sound](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersion-vr) that will launch you and your friends into virtual worlds more realistic than anything you've ever imagined." As consumers are seated into pods within a theater, the gaming experience maintains a community element, all while allowing each player to fully immerse themselves into an alternative universe that they can explore and interact with. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual Reality Gaming Centers:** Expanding VR gaming centers offer an immersive and realistic virtual gaming experience. - **Immersive Visuals and 360 Sound:** Enhanced visuals and sound in VR gaming centers create a mind-shattering experience. - **Community-based Gaming Pods:** VR gaming centers provide a shared gaming experience while maintaining individual immersion. ### Where This Applies - **Entertainment:** VR gaming centers disrupt the entertainment industry by offering a new level of immersive gaming experiences. - **Technology:** Expanding VR gaming centers drive innovation in the technology industry by pushing the boundaries of virtual reality gaming. - **Hospitality:** VR gaming centers present disruptive opportunities for the hospitality industry to attract customers with unique, immersive experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Experiential Entertainment Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illuminarium-1.md) - [Experimental Immersive Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oasis-immersion.md) - [Immersive Banking Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cibc-experience-centre.md) - [Immersive Halloween-Themed VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-latency-vr.md) - [Interactive Fantasy Universe Attractions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-immersive-quest.md) - [Immersive Multimedia Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sony-pictures-wonderverse.md) - [Toronto Gastro-Gaming Businesses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oche.md) - [Immersive Virtual Reality Concerts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersion-vr.md) - [Immersive Gaming Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-odyssey-gaming-booth.md)