VERSA Studios to Host UK’s First Live Action Video Game Experience

From 1st September 2023, VERSA Studios, the UK’s leading TV, Film and Live Event Studio Network, will be the home of Chaos Karts;, bringing a live-action immersive video game experience using drivable electric karts and a digitally projected track to the heart of Manchester.

Taking over all 13,000sq ft of VERSA Manchester’s Studios 1 and 2, Chaos Karts was created by The Ents Inc and throws players into a simulated video game to race-battle their friends, family, rivals and colleagues

This highly innovative experience will have players (aged 11 +) burning rubber around a potentially infinite number of tracks in a digitally projected world, inside VERSA Manchester Studios whilst their vehicle interacts with the virtual track and any challenges rival players might “launch” their way. With no physical obstacles on the track and anti-collision technology, helmets and driving suits are not required.

Using unmatched, state-of-the-art technology, the karts will be kitted out with features to produce real-life sensations and reactions that will immerse competitors fully into the high-energy thrill ride. Each race varies in design, complete with pumping music and ground-breaking in-game usable in-kart power-ups with weapons that will allow players to ‘battle’ right up to the finishing line as the experience transports players worlds away from the everyday as they compete against each other to win points and races.

Collaborating with The Ents Inc for the last two months on the project, the VERSA Studios team provided both technical and event support throughout to bring the immersive event experience to life in Manchester.

Tom Lionetti-Maguire, founder and CEO of The Ents Inc Chaos Karts Attraction, founder of Little Lion Entertainment, and creator of The Crystal Maze & Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience said, “In VERSA Studios Manchester, we’ve found the ideal home for Chaos Karts. Centrally located, easily accessible from Manchester’s public transport network and lots of public and paid parking options nearby. The whole VERSA Studios team have been wonderfully supportive of our vision to bring our real-life version of a videogame to Manchester and we can’t wait to welcome our first visitors. I've been obsessed with creating a real-life version of a videogame for some time now, and Chaos Karts is a thrilling result of that. We are so excited to showcase this all-new attraction firstly in Manchester, and then globally in the near-future. The gamification of experiences is a phenomenon that is here to stay, and this is the purest distillation of it. This is not just another game; it's an entire journey filled with joy, humour and a nostalgic touch that will resonate with players of all generations!”

Chad Kunimoto, global business development manager for immersive entertainment at Panasonic Connect, tech partner of Chaos Karts said: “We, at Panasonic Connect, are greatly honoured to have contributed to 'Chaos Karts', revolutionising go-karts and delivering an unparalleled gaming experience. Through our collaboration, we can push the boundaries of speed, technology, and innovation by seamlessly blending our cutting-edge technology and exhilarating performance, paving the way for an electrifying experience on and off the track.”

VERSA Studios’ executive director Charlie Ingall added, “At VERSA Studios we’re proud to be delivering a unique media studios complex for productions of all kinds, from TV, to Film, to Live Event and Immersive Experiences - which can be brought to life alongside the convenience and vibrancy of a city centre location. It’s fantastic to welcome Chaos Karts as part of the evolving creative community in the heart of Manchester, as part of Enterprise City,  further making it a destination for engaging, memorable experiences”.

Home to the BBC’s weekday daytime show ‘Morning Live’, VERSA Manchester Studios also recently housed KAGAMI, the critically acclaimed mixed reality concert created by legendary composer, the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. The VERSA team have previously welcomed such live events as Kendrick Lamar at OGS, Arctic Monkeys Music Video, the Exquisite Gucci campaign, the Lacoste campaign as well as recent TV entertainment projects - The John Bishop Show, Morning Live, Justin’s House, Celebability and Bafta winning Friday Night Live amongst others.