Reed Travel Features
LAS VEGAS -- Visitors in search of a nongambling activity --
either for themselves or their children -- can check out GameWorks.
Located in the Showcase Mall on the Strip next to the MGM Grand and
across the street from the Monte Carlo and New York, New York, the
47,000-square-foot structure -- inspired by DreamWorks SKG, Sega
Enterprises and Universal Studios Inc. -- offers the latest video
and technology games in a club atmosphere.
Billing itself as an "arcade for the 1990s," GameWorks' three
main areas are the Loading Dock, where the newest arcade games are
located; the Arena, which features the company's signature games as
well as multiplayer games and the Loft, which houses a variety of
classic video games and Internet activities as well as food and
beverage stations.
The site boasts more than 280 games, including Vertical Reality
and GameArc, two of the company's signature games found only at
GameWorks locations. In Vertical Reality, 12 players at a time are
strapped into seats and divided into three groups of four players.
Fighting the clock and an army of "cyborgs" led by Mr. Bigg,
players climb as high as one-and-a-half stories while attempting to
"rid each level of evil." However, they also rapidly drop if they
get hit.
Other games that patrons can find here include Indy 500 Formula,
Daytona USA, PropCycle, Wave Runner, Alpine Surfer and Super GT.
Classic video games, found in the Loft area, include PacMan and Ms.
PacMan, Centipede, Missile Command and video sports games. Also in
the Loft are pool tables, foosball tables and air hockey
tables.
For the adventurous, there is Surge Rock, a rock-climbing
structure that stands 75 feet high, or nearly five stories form top
to bottom. There are 13 routes up the rock, with varying degrees of
difficulty. Multicolored lights randomly illuminate eight of the 13
possible routes.
Also incorporated into the wall are sounds such as a passing
freight train, jungle noises, applause and coyote howls, which are
triggered by the climber's motion. Climbers, who are outfitted with
helmets, harnesses and climbing shoes, can scale the rock to two
different levels. A climb up to 40 feet costs $6 per person, and
trips to the 75-foot level are priced at $10 per person.
When not playing the games, guests can use the 15-seat Internet
Lounge or the six-seat Chill Zone in the Loading Dock, which
contains a pool table and Internet access. In addition, 130
television monitors are located throughout the facility to display
live action from some of the games or show music videos.
Once participants have worked up an appetite, they can choose
from the 100-seat full-service restaurant; a Starbucks Coffee bar;
the Fry Station, which serves fries and sodas; a 5,000-square-foot,
full-service bar, or the Drinks Station, which features
nonalcoholic drinks, juices and snacks.
The GameWorks Gear retail shop offers 1,800 square feet of space
filled with more than 50 items such as jackets, shirts and hats. To
play the games, patrons can use smart cards so they will not have
to handle coins or wait in lines for tickets.
For additional information about GameWorks, which is open daily
from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., agents can call (702) 432-GAME.