From Gaming to Immersion: My Journey into Passive VR Experiences

Today we thought we would hear from one of our co-founders and the realisation of the joy of being part of a passive virtual reality experience.

I’ve spent over 40 years immersed in gaming.  Ok that makes me old!   From joystick battles in arcades to late-night strategy sessions, interactivity was my world—until my co-founders suggested passive VR experiences. I’ll admit, I balked. No controls? No objectives? As a gamer, it sounded like a downgrade, like watching a game instead of playing it. I worried it’d bore the very crowd we aimed to captivate at events.

Then I tried it. Strapped into our simulator for a passive island “flight”, I braced for being underwhelmed. Instead, I was floored. Without mechanics to master—no scores, no combos—I could soak in the world: the hum of the engine, the sounds of the wind, the glide of our simulator syncing with the plane movements. My gamer instincts, always chasing the next win, quieted. I wasn’t just playing; I was there. That revelation reshaped how we approach events at Avalandia. Our passive experiences, powered by haptic tech and rich visuals, let gamers like me savour the story without the grind—a new kind of immersion.

Our passive experiences aren't about sitting idle; they're about amplifying the senses through our simulators' subtle motions and our software's rich, reactive environments. Imagine a product launch where attendees drift through a fantastical cityscape, absorbing branding narratives without lifting a finger—or a conference mixer where groups "explore" a shared dreamscape, sparking real conversations from virtual wonders. For gamers like me, it's a refreshing breather: a chance to recharge in a medium we love, minus the grind. 

Now, let's talk about the folks who might love this even more: non-gamers. If you're reading this and thinking, "VR? That's for joystick jockeys—I'd rather chat over coffee," passive experiences are your golden ticket. No learning curves, no performance anxiety—just lean back and let the world wash over you. In our designs, we've layered in elements that feel tailor-made for them: ambient sounds that soothe, visuals that inspire, and narratives that invite reflection rather than reaction. They don't want the interactivity (and why should they? Events are about connection, not competition), so passive mode delivers exactly that—effortless wonder that leaves everyone feeling included.

This is why, at events, we always champion a mix as we aim for complete inclusivity.  Sure, we cater to the gamers—after all as of 2025, gamers make up about 40% of the global population, with over 3.3 billion of us worldwide. That leaves a whopping 60% who aren't glued to screens daily, folks who'd thrive in our non-interactive realms without a second thought. For event planners, it's a no-brainer: Why limit your draw to one slice when you can serve the whole pie? Sceptical gamers, trust me, once you try it, you'll see it's not about less control; it's about more freedom to feel the magic.

If you're plotting your next event and want to blend worlds like this—interactive thrills for the pros, serene escapes for everyone else—hit us up at Avalandia. Let's make your gathering legendary, one headset at a time. 

But don’t take my word for it!  See some of the reactions at avalandia.com.