Virtual Reality Hits Pointe Orlando with Sandbox VR!

From zombies aplenty to all the challenges of Squid Game, the new Sandbox VR at Pointe Orlando immerses role-playing aficionados in Orlando’s first full-body virtual reality game venue, and we’re here to tell you it’s a lot of fun!

Brand new on the International Drive scene, Sandbox is a multi-game experience that has already taken the world by storm with more than 50 locations across the globe, including Hong Kong, Montreal, Dublin, Zurich, Berlin and Singapore, as well as two UK venues, in London and Birmingham.

And its arrival continues the regeneration of Pointe Orlando, adding an even more dynamic activity to its growing array of attractions, which now also includes the Activate game centre, Main Event Entertainment (with bowling, ropes course and arcade games), Monkey Joe’s play centre for children up to 12, The Greens Indoor Golf and the escape-game challenge of Will To Escape, as well as the neighbouring WonderWorks indoor amusement park.

Introducing Sandbox VR

Now we have a whole new array of excitement and video-game thrills brought into the 21st century with the very latest technology for a truly immersive experience in the kind of role-playing and shoot-em-up type games we have only seen on Xbox and the like, and now available as an active four-dimensional virtual set-up of awesome proportions that they like to call The Holodeck (that’s right, they are inspired by the legendary Star Trek activity deck from the TV series and films).

At Sandbox, groups of up to six family and friends can freely roam the VR spaces together, exploring virtual worlds and relying on each other to succeed in games specifically designed to be social experiences. When guests step into these virtual Holo worlds, they will get the true feel of this highly advanced virtual technology.

In technical terms, Sandbox’s proprietary, patented technology combines full-body motion capture and high-quality haptics to provide an unprecedented level of realism and complete immersion in the video realm. It involves using various techniques to provide tactile feedback, such as vibrations, force feedback and even ultrasound, in response to user actions or events.

Since first opening in Hong Kong in 2016, Sandbox has evolved to offer a variety of role-playing opportunities, including the smash hit South Korean TV series Squid Game, with its in-built survival challenge. At Pointe Orlando, it is one of nine exclusive experiences created by the company’s in-house development studio, each designed to make guests feel like they are the stars of their own action movie.

How it works

Players can experience the heart-pounding, exhilarating gameplay of fending off the zombie hordes, enter a world of swashbuckling adventure, soar into the clouds in a space elevator or compete against one another in Squid Game’s futuristic combat arena. It is billed as the true future of immersive entertainment, and it’s hard to argue with that!

First, there is some paperwork, to provide the all-important email for the photos that will be taken during your game. Then you get to choose your scenario, which includes Deadwood Phobia, Deadwood Mansion and Deadwood Valley (a VR zombie series), the futuristic Rebel Moon – The Descent and Amber Sky 2088, the fantasy world of Seekers of the Shard, Dragonfire, and, of course, Squid Game.

Once you’ve decided on your game, it’s time to get suited up for the role-playing challenge, with heavyweight vests, head-sets, earphones, ankle and wrist sensors, and any weapons you may need. It is quite a performance, but then, you are going to be “on screen”! All the 4-6 members of your team are taken into one of the seven Sandbox Holodecks, which are surrounded with high-tech sensors, and given a “mission briefing” for the task in store.

The Deets

Games last around 30 minutes, and then there is a 10-minute debrief and de-gear session to ensure everyone is back in the real world! With 10-15 minutes for the sign-in process, you need to allow about 65 minutes for the whole experience from start to finish, and bookings are recommended on https://sandboxvr.com/orlando. Prices are $50 per person from Monday to Friday 4pm, and $55 from Friday 4pm to Sunday closing time for each experience. Hours are 10am to 10pm Mon-Thur, and 10am to midnight Fri-Sun.

There’s no danger of bumping into your fellow team members as the game uses real-time motion capture technology created for movies and games. The motion capture cameras track your entire body in real time and allow you to see precisely where everyone else is, along with their movements. They just won't look like their normal human selves! Additionally, there are clear boundaries to prevent you from accidentally exiting the game area. As long as you pay attention and follow the in-game instructions, it will be full-on excitement. It will also feel like you’ve had a real workout with most of the games!

About Sandbox

With over 50 global combined retail and franchise locations, the most advanced VR technology, premium AAA experiences developed in-house and an exclusive Netflix collaboration, Sandbox VR is the most successful and fastest growing location-based virtual reality company on the planet. And, with more than $60M raised by investors, including Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Kevin Durant, the company is continuing its path to rapid growth with the opening of its third Florida location, following St Petersburg and Fort Myers.

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