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Outliving the walking dead in Dubai
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Targeting game enthusiasts, Hub Zero features attractions based on popular game franchise like 'Resident Evil'. (Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing/File)
With a gun in my hand and limitless ammunition, I was given only one task: shoot as many zombies as possible.
The instruction was pretty clear: destroy the target—one or two bullets should be enough for one zombie if you aim for its head—and stay clear from the perimeter. But upon entering the poorly lit setting with a very convincing horror-movie atmosphere, trying to see where I’m going while at the same time keeping an eye out if any lurking zombies are behind, to the right or left of me, the fully loaded gun and little confidence that I had could not prepare me enough for the terror that comes next.
In merely seconds, I was surrounded by one, two, three and soon, countless of soulless corpses; all creeping toward me. They were everywhere; I tried to shoot as fast and as accurate as I could while trying not to focus too much on their spine-chilling appearances.
As more seconds went by, I was immediately sort of trapped inside the perimeter while the zombies, who couldn’t care less, kept on attacking me from all corners. I think I’ve killed dozens of them, but the frightening walking dead continued to appear; some were even so close to me I didn’t know where to aim anymore—until the time limit of the game’s first level finally ended.
As an attendant helped me remove the virtual reality (VR) headset that I wore outside my glasses, I found myself standing again in the middle of a small arena surrounded by short fences that allows other people to watch players in action. Some of my friends in the neighboring arenas were still putting up a fight; each had their own way of dealing with the virtual horror that only they could see.
(Read also: What makes Dubai, Dubai)
I remembered the attendant said to us prior to entering the arena that anyone who felt too overwhelmed with the experience could raise both hands, which would mean they surrendered and wanted to quit the game. Indeed, the Time Zombies game, which requires a player to kill 61 zombies in the first level, is not for the faint-hearted as two of my female friends screamed from the top of their lungs throughout the game; obviously finding the virtual reality experience a bit too real for them.
Time Zombies is part of Virtual Arena, one of the many attractions provided in the 15,000-square-meter Hub Zero in City Walk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Officially opened mid-2016 as “the region’s first immersive gaming hub”, it boasts diverse game genres: from first-person shooter and fantasy, to action and sports.
In addition to Time Zombies, “the region’s first and only wireless VR-based first-person shooter”, the Virtual Arena features other experiences based on popular titles, such as Gears of War: Laser Siege, Battlefield: Armoured Assault, Resident Evil: Bio Terror, Final Fantasy: Escape from Midgar, Dragon Age: Flight of the Wardens, Asura’s Wrath: The Awakening and Plants vs. Zombies: Backyard Brawl. It also has the Hyper Drive driving simulator that comes in 6 degrees of movement, the Double Agent double laser maze, an e-Sports LAN gaming zone, the Tiny Track Racers children’s karting simulator, a 4-D cinema, an indoor adventure climbing zone and a retro arcade that hosts timeless arcade classics like Pac Man and Space Invaders. With entry pass starting from 160 AED (US$43.5), it offers pool and billiard tables and private karaoke rooms as well for those looking to enjoy other forms of entertainment.
(Read also: Dubai opens massive Marvel-branded indoor theme park)
A photo posted by Hub Zero Dubai (@hubzerodxb) on
City Walk itself is a 929,000-square-meter family-friendly hub that combines residences, retail and leisure options. Designed to be a city within a city that caters to residents and tourists, it will delight any Instagram enthusiasts thanks to the creative works of 16 global street artists as part of the inaugural project of Dubai Walls, which aims to transform public spaces into permanent street art exhibitions.
Some of the most interesting works that can be found there are “Colorful hand stenciled wall” by Tokyo-born AIKO, who moves to New York City in mid-90s and has collaborated with big names like Louis Vuitton and Warner Bros.; “Lenticular or 3-D mural” by Beau Stanton from United States, whose work is heavily influenced by historic ornamentation, religious iconography and classical painting; and the “Bedouin portrait in the 50’s inspired by the photography of Major Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger” by VHILS from Portugal, whose carving technique has been hailed “one of the most compelling approaches to art created in the street in the last decade”.
A photo posted by Dubai Walls (@dubaiwalls) on
@heraldherrera with a perfect shot of @beaustanton's mural at @citywalkdubai.
A photo posted by Dubai Walls (@dubaiwalls) on
Today we're enjoying @pedrofranqueiradias's photo of @vhils wall at @citywalkdubai.
A photo posted by Dubai Walls (@dubaiwalls) on
Another highlight of City Walk is a premium chocolate store that gathers 28 luxury brands under one roof; with 60 additional brands on the way. Inspired by the Paris Salon du Chocolat, it is said to be “the first and only multi-brand retail experience based on chocolate”.
Offering more than 700 different flavors, Boutique Le Chocolat features chocolatiers from around the globe, such as Patrice Chapon, who began his career at the Buckingham Palace; deLafèe, which famous for chocolates adorned with edible gold and is considered the world’s most expensive chocolate; and ZChocolat, which originated from Aix-en-Provence and is dedicated to creating exclusive gourmet chocolates. In addition to shopping, visitors can also expect to learn and taste the varying styles of chocolate couverture, as well as creating their own chocolate bar with a personalized label and message.
