Sandbox VR
The Future Of Gaming, Today

In 1958, a physicist named William Higinbotham invented the first-ever video game, and it was a highly simplified version of the already simple yet popular Pong that came out in the 1970s. It was this small invention that, 63 years later, would grow into a staggering 300-billion-dollar industry, and Higinbotham, never in his wildest dream, could have envisioned just how passionate and driven people would become to advance the experience of a game. And over the past decade, the world has witnessed incredible technological growth due to the demands of the gaming marketplace. From impressive new lines of graphics processing units (GPU) and gaming consoles, people have a wide array of options to choose from, enabling them to escape reality and dive straight into a realm of fantasy and sheer entertainment. But, as the popular Japanese manga and anime Sword Art Online (SAO) depicts, unless the immersion is not a 100 percent, players will always feel like something is a bit lacking. The realism of a game lies in its ability to attract and retain; while the graphics of the 21st century are currently blowing the minds of even the parents who say, “Video games are bad for you,” players always want something more. It is such moments that make SAO’s dreamlike world all the more desirable. And thanks to Sandbox VR, a multi-million dollar startup that shares the passion for the ultimate gaming experience with gamers all over the globe, people now have the opportunity to truly delve into a virtual world that provides them with all the trappings of true realism in gaming.

The company currently stands as one of the leaders of VR arcades, and after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting a Sandbox VR location seems the perfect way to destress and enjoy a social evening with friends and family.

All Journeys Have a Beginning

Steve Zhao, founder and CEO of Sandbox VR, established his first location in 2016, fully decked with VR technology to empower people with a completely immersive experience. However, toward the beginning of 2017, the business was unfortunately failing. “We had no investors, very few customers, and absolutely nothing left in the bank. A lot of people thought I should give up,” says the young entrepreneur. “And to make matters worse, virtual reality-the darling of 2016-was becoming a total outcast. The signs were not good.” Moreover, Zhao had also developed one of the best games in the VR marketplace, inspired by Star Trek’s Holodeck, with the help of experienced professionals from EA, Ubisoft, and Sony as well.

One of the main reasons that VR gaming did not gain as much traction as it did initially was solely due to the number of hardware components required.

Moreover, it was expensive. So, an at-home VR experience was very rare. This fact alone was enough to scare away investors who never gave Sandbox VR a second opportunity despite having a solid, enjoyable game. People who eventually bought the hardware ended up not using it as often due to the few games that existed as well as the lack of multiplayer options; no one likes playing alone. This mindset proved very difficult for all games developers to create worlds that would incite more engagement from the gaming community and, unfortunately, reflected poorly on Zhao’s dreams.

It was in this moment of desperation that the Sandbox VR founder said it was now or never and bet everything he had toward bringing about the most incredibly immersive gaming experience the world had ever seen. Zhao communed with his engineers to help materialize his visions, asking them to create an environment where anybody could affordably have a fullbody VR gaming experience. This was the birth of Sandbox VR as the world knows it today.

An Escape from Reality

Leveraging the latest innovations in the world of extended reality (XR), Sandbox VR implements best-in-class motion tracking sensors and moveable platforms to build a unique, original platform with a complete in-store experience. “Our innovation is not only designed to be a fun experience but also be sociable and fun-to-watch from the ground up. Every guest leaves with a viral video of their experience that is irresistible to share on social media,” expresses Zhao. Sandbox VR’s technology and media teams are constantly improving and updating the ways in which customers draw out more from each experience, which inevitably brings them back for more over time.

The company is casting a new spell in the VR arcading arena with its innovative approach toward VR gaming, with a philosophy stating that this new medium is not about better movies or more immersive gaming experiences. According to Zhao and his team, it is something else altogether.

Sandbox VR’s Climb Back Up

Over the past few years, after investing his ten-year-long saved nest egg entirely into his business, Zhao can finally breathe easy. Why? Because A-listers like Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake, among many others, have invested millions of dollars-and their interest-toward Sandbox VR’s vision. The company is creating and designing completely new worlds that empower people, in various locations across the globe, to quite literally be their own heroes with their friends. Zhao and his team have built this incredible opportunity from the ground up based on the tenets of complete immersion, embodiment, and social activity. This resonates deeply within everybody, which is why the company is on a steep uphill climb toward a new kind of success that the world is happily supporting.

The Road Ahead

With a goal to bring this brand new VR experience to every neighborhood, Sandbox VR is expanding much more quickly than Zhao had anticipated since his negative experience during the company’s formative years. However, with the newfound support, both monetarily and socially, he and his team are helping people gear up for the best gaming experience of their lives. Sandbox VR offers a wide array of games to choose from, all developed specifically to transport the player into the virtual shoes of their avatars, allowing them to feel the thrill on a whole new level. The future of gaming is in the making, and Sandbox VR is the closest portal to access this new realm of fantasy.