Sandbox VR, the location-based VR destination, announced its multiplayer experience based on hit Netflix show Squid Game is coming to Sandbox VR locations starting September 29th, featuring a number of its deadly mini-games.

Update (September 19th, 2023): Starting September 29th, Sandbox VR locations will host groups of up to six players to compete in Squid Games’ deadly mini-games, such as ‘Red Light, Green Light,’ and ‘Cross the Glass Bridge.’ The studio, which develops all of its VR content in-house, says we can also expect “surprising new twists that expand on the world of the series.”

After each game session, players will also get a personalized highlight video capturing their virtual in-game reactions and recapping how their own Squid Game story unfolded.

Since the original article was published, Sandbox VR has now grown to over 40 global locations, 18 of which launched in the last 12 months. You can find more info about Squid Game and other VR experiences on the Sandbox VR website.

Original Article (February 8th, 2023): Netflix’s most watched show of all time will soon have its own location-based VR experience, which will let fans take on the role of Squid Game contestant.

Set to roll out to Sandbox locations in late 2023, the location-based VR game promises “pulse-pounding challenges” where users compete against each other to be the last one standing. What’s more, game sessions include personalized highlight videos capturing in-game reactions for post-game review.

There’s no trailer for the Squid Game VR game, although the company’s hype video should give you a good idea of what to expect:

Sandbox’s locations feature motion-tracking technology, which captures the movements of a player’s body and props, such as guns. Its haptic system also provides players with added realism to go along with the large room-scale VR experience.

The company currently features six proprietary experiences based on both exclusively licensed IP (Star Trek: Discovery), as well as in-house experiences. All Sandbox VR experiences are developed by an in-house gaming studio, which tailors the company’s social experiences for groups of up to six users at a time.

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The Squid Game licensing deal is likely the direct result of its $37 million Series B funding round from November 2021. The company has made a strong rebound from the stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the company’s eventual reemergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy following debt restructure.

Sandbox now operates 30 VR locations, spanning major cities in North America, Europe, and Asia (see update). The company says it’s launched a dozen such locations over the past twelve months, making for one of its largest growths spurts.

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Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • XRC

    It’s a tough sell in current economic climate? Consumers are heavily cutting costs due to rampant inflation and rising energy prices.

    Looking at sandbox here in London, it’s a minimum of £70 for 2 guests (no solo players), rising to £90 after 4.30pm for 2 guests. That’s quite expensive?

    This is for 30 minutes of actual VR with approximately 10 minutes onboarding and then 10 minutes “post experience” in their bar (to view video and purchase alcoholic drinks).

    Perhaps as a one-off, but how much repeat business?

  • This sounds incredibly cool

  • ViRGiN

    Seems too physical for Andrew. And he hasn’t worked out in 14 years so probably it’s best that it’s kept to physical locations only.