Shares in UK-based virtual reality arcade systems pioneer Virtuality Group Plc soared 39 British pence to 287p yesterday as the market decided that two licensing deals in Japan would lead to big profits. Virtuality has licensed its consumer head-mounted display technology to Takara Co Ltd and Media Robotics Co Ltd, leading ABN Amro Hoare Govett, the company’s own broker, to upgrade its pre-tax forecast for next year to 4.2m pounds from 3.8m pounds. The case it makes is that half a million sales will add 3m to 4m pounds to profits, and that represents just one set for every 125 television owners in Japan. Takara intends launching the head-set in Japan in September at about $360.
