Zero Latency CEO Tim Ruse has revealed plans for the company moving forward, with a new game in the works offering competitive gameplay and expansion for the first time into Southeast Asia.

Earlier this month, Zero Latency opened its first free-roam VR arena in Mexico, teaming with cinema chain Cinépolis for the new venture, which is inside the Cinépolis Plaza Satélite multiplex in Mexico City.

Not resting on it laurels, the VR company – which now has offerings in Australia, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the US and the aforementioned Mexico – has big plans for 2018, with one major aspect being the development of its first competitive offering.

“We’ve got a team of 26 people and growing who are dedicated to product development with engineering and content,” said Ruse, speaking to Attractions Management.

“We’ve got a new game in pre-production at the moment. It’s a shooter but with more of a competitive gameplay aspect. Everything we’ve worked on to date has been cooperative, so competitive gameplay is something new and exciting for us.”

As part of Zero Latency’s global expansion plan, the company will open its first locations in Southeast Asia next year, and Ruse revealed plans to expand into four countries within the region.

“The details will be fully announced soon, but it’s a big expansion into that region,” he said. “There’s a big global opportunity here with free-roam VR and Zero Latency is leading that charge. We’ve put more than 200,000 players through our games that number grows as we put another 22,000 new players through every month worldwide.

“We’ve been building our technology for five years and our centres have been open to the public now for three. For us, 2018 and beyond is a great opportunity to keep expanding our global footprint into as many countries as possible.”