Bay Area virtual reality amusement boldly goes to the next level
"Star Trek Discovery: Away Mission" puts players in the role of Starfleet officials who must battle strange creatures and Klingons during an investigation. (Sandbox VR)
Sandbox, which also has a space in San Mateo, is one of several companies attempting to take cutting-edge virtual-reality technology and boldly go in a more ambitious, visually stunning, full-body direction while developing a new genre of entertainment.
“A lot of people tend to think that VR is just putting on a headset and watching a movie at home or seeing a game play out in front of you while you have a controller in your hand,” says Susan Washburn, store manager for San Francisco’s Sandbox VR. “We’re making it not only more immersive, but interactive with other people.”
The Void operated a pop-up space in the Atrium at Westfield San Francisco Center late last summer and plans to open a permanent venue there soon.
Our adventure began in a spacious, gray room that instantly transforms into an icy alien planet. Clad in special gear, we (and our avatars) assume the roles of Starfleet officers who are directed to investigate a distress signal. Mission accepted, naturally.
The experience lasts about 30 minutes, during which we are “beamed” to various locales and face off against one menacing threat after another. Along the way, we use tricorders to scan our whereabouts and hunt for clues. Enhancing the immersive enterprise are haptic vests that pulsate during the “teleportation” process.
Sandbox VR, which is open daily at San Mateo’s Hillsdale Shopping Center at 60 E. 31st Ave. and a San Francisco pop-up at 767 Market St. Tickets are $48 per person. https://sandboxvr.com.
See the full story here: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/23/virtual-reality-amusement-boldly-goes-to-the-next-level/