Portals is a fast arcade free-roam VR shooter developed in-house by Metaforce VR Arena. Besides elevators, the maps have portals: a player who steps into one instantly appears in another part of the map, so an opponent can show up from anywhere. A game takes 4 to 20 players aged 7 and up, with 3 maps included in the Metaforce subscription.
| Parameter | Portals |
|---|---|
| Genre | Arcade shooter |
| Maps | 3 |
| Players per game | 4–20 |
| Age rating | 7+ |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Key mechanic | Portals and elevators |
How does a round of Portals work?
Two teams play on a map linked by a network of portals and elevators. Players run around the arena for real, and portals throw them to other zones of the map in an instant. A safe position stops being safe within seconds.
The pace is higher than in the classic tactical shooters: reaction matters as much as picking the right cover. Teams that remember where each portal leads can set up surprise flank attacks and catch opponents as they come out. The difficulty is medium and the style is arcade, so the whole group has fun, not just the experienced players.
Movement in the game matches real movement on the floor, as in every Metaforce game. There is no joystick locomotion, so motion sickness is less common than in stick-driven VR.
What maps does Portals include?
Portals has 3 maps, each with its own network of portals. Learning the network is what turns a chaotic first game into a planned second one, and that is a reason for groups to come back.
As with every Metaforce title, each map is rebuilt around the exact layout of your venue, so portals, elevators and routes fit your play area.
Why does Portals work for an arena business?
Portals is the high-energy option in the line-up. It suits groups who want action more than slow tactics.
- Short learning curve, high energy. Arcade style and quick rounds appeal to school-age kids and teenagers, which makes Portals a good fit for birthday parties.
- Works for mixed groups. Friends, families and colleagues at corporate events, especially those who like a fast game.
- Same throughput as other shooters. 4 to 20 players per game; depending on your arena, 8 to 12 or more play at once.
- Replay value. Three portal networks and unpredictable flanks make every round different.
- Updates every 6 months. New maps and games are included in the subscription.
A multiplayer VR arena game works best as part of a set. Portals sits between the team tactics of TeamForce, the vertical fights of Elevators and the family-friendly Mini Games. See the whole line-up on our VR arena games page.
What does a venue need to run Portals?
The same as for any Metaforce game: a play area of 50 to 300 m², a level floor and ceilings from 2.5 m. Portals and elevators exist only in the game, so your arena does not need any special construction. You buy headsets, computers and tracking from any supplier; our team helps with setup during launch. More on the format in our free-roam VR guide.
Want to run Portals at your arena?
Portals is part of the Metaforce VR Arena subscription together with TeamForce, StarForce, Elevators and Mini Games. You pay a flat subscription from $4,990 for six months, taxes included, with no franchise fee and no share of your revenue. All terms are on the franchise cost page.
FAQ
How is Portals different from the other Metaforce shooters?
Portals is faster and less predictable. Portals move players across the map instantly, so reaction matters as much as choosing a position.
Is Portals suitable for children?
Yes. The age rating is 7+, and the arcade style and quick rounds are popular with school-age kids.
How many players can play Portals?
4 to 20 players per game. Depending on the size of the arena, 8 to 12 or more people play at once.
Do players actually walk through the portals?
Yes. Players walk on the real arena floor; when they step into a portal in the game, they appear in another part of the map.