Location-based entertainment (LBE) specialist Sandbox VR has managed to grow from a single location in Hong Kong to seven locations worldwide. In January the company announced a successful investment round securing $68 million USD. Today, Sandbox VR has laid out plans for the future, with more locations planned and a new partnership with motion capture specialist Vicon.
Sandbox VR wants to use Vicon’s cameras and its location-based VR (LBVR) software Evoke to help transport up to six players into its latest VR experience Amber Sky 2088. Having previously used its own tracking solution for its first videogames and venues, Sandbox VR wanted an even more accurate system for its free-roam environments.
“Sandbox VR is expanding, and we needed a partner that can work closely with our product team,” said Steve Zhao, Sandbox VR CEO in a statement. “Being able to have quality and reliable tracking is important, but even more important is the ability for a vendor to be our partner and develop tools for us as we grow. Vicon is that company for us.”
Using Vicon’s Origin LBVR platform, Sandbox VR aims to bring Amber Sky 2088 to 12 new locations across the globe, including Austin, Macau, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Hangzhou by the end of the year, for a total of 40 new VR rooms.
“The Sandbox VR team deeply understand VR technology, but they also understand the story experience comes first,” said Alex Muir, Vicon’s Asia-Pacific Sales Manager. “If the technology takes you out of the story for one second the whole experience is ruined. I experienced this first hand in Amber Sky 2088, ultimately gripping my revolver right to the very end.”
Taking place as the 21st century draws to a close, Amber Sky 2088 is set in futuristic Hong Kong, when humanity suddenly encounters an alien invasion. Placed inside android bodies, players need to fight off the invasion using superhuman strength and skills, able to dodge bullets whilst trying to protect a mysterious package on a space elevator.
As Sandbox VR continues its expansion VRFocus will be there to bring you the latest updates.