Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Sandbox VR plans to open its second permanent Arizona location at CityScape in downtown Phoenix at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
The immersive entertainment venue will occupy space at 11 W. Washington St., Suite 200. Guests who book online before Nov. 13 will receive 20% off their purchase. The downtown location follows the company’s expansion into Arizona and adds another venue for group-based virtual reality experiences, according to a press release.
“We’re thrilled to open in such a prolific part of the Valley,” Andrew Perkinson, Sandbox VR franchisee, said. “Sandbox VR is in the heart of some of the country’s greatest cities. Phoenix has incredible energy, culture, and momentum. This city deserves world-class entertainment, and we’re excited to bring the best in immersive entertainment into the heart of it.”
Ahead of the grand opening, the location will hold a soft opening beginning Friday, Oct. 30. Reservations will be available through advance booking only, and walk-in guests will not be accepted.
Sandbox VR combines full-body motion capture technology, haptic equipment and virtual reality headsets to create multiplayer gaming experiences. Groups of two to six participants can play together in private rooms known as holodecks.
Experiences available at the new location will include Age of Dinosaurs, Stranger Things: Catalyst, Rebel Moon: The Descent, Squid Game Virtuals, UFL: Unbound Fighting League, Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire, Curse of Davy Jones, Amber Sky 2088, Deadwood PHOBIA, Deadwood Valley, Deadwood Mansion and Deadwood Origins.
The downtown Phoenix venue encompasses more than 5,800 square feet and features four holodecks and a mezzanine gathering area. Participants wear VR headsets, haptic vests and motion sensors that allow them to interact with one another while navigating virtual environments.
The facility also includes a private event room available for birthday parties, corporate gatherings and other private events, with optional food and beverage packages.
The Arizona expansion is being led by Andrew Perkinson and Tylor Hardy, childhood friends and former college roommates who entered the franchise after careers in institutional real estate.
Mr. Perkinson said the company sees Phoenix as a strong market for immersive entertainment experiences.
