Sandbox VR to bring new virtual reality experience to Surfers Paradise

Step into the world of Squid Games or Star Trek at a new $2m full-body virtual reality experience in Surfers Paradise.

Step into the world of Squid Games or Star Trek at a new $2m full-body virtual reality experience in Surfers Paradise.

The first Sandbox VR in Australia offers socially immersive gaming combined with full-body motion capture and high-quality haptics.

Owner of Sandbox VR Gold Coast Bao Phung said the venue was a huge milestone for the growing global franchise.

Owner Bao Phung doing a test run at Sandbox VR's first Australian location open in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast. The latest attraction invites visitors of all ages to experience a new reality. Picture Glenn Hampson

“With 13 million domestic and international visitors that come here to the Gold Coast they want to have fun and discover varying types of entertainment,” he said.

“Sandbox is unique in what it provides – that’s the reason we felt the Gold Coast was the right fit commercially as well as from a risk perspective. It was the best choice for the first one in Australia.”

The venue includes eight immersive experiences from a kid-friendly version of the popular Netflix series Squid Games – created in collaboration with Netflix – to zombie missions and Star Trek Discovery experiences.

Owner Bao Phung doing a test run at Sandbox VR's first Australian location open in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast. The latest attraction invites visitors of all ages to experience a new reality. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Phung said the bulk of the venue’s set-up cost was the technology involved in motion capture.

“In Hollywood blockbusters when they do 3D movies and free-motion capture that’s expensive and this leans on that type of technology to capture and track movement of players in the game,” he said.

Players gear up with wrist and ankle trackers making the body the controller.

“You’re not merely just holding a gun and firing a gun – you’re using your limbs to be fully immersed and interact with the games,” Mr Phung said.

Originally published as Sandbox VR to bring new virtual reality experience to Surfers Paradise