ACCESS VR is now even better than ever – the quality is really improving.
It has been cluttered with wires that run to the ceiling, and very little space.
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- Sandbox VR, London, from £30 – Buy Now
Not Sandbox VR. This immersive gaming giant from the USA has opened its first UK office near London’s Covent Garden.
All the hype about the metaverse bringing VR to everyone, we decided to go along and try one of the six worlds that are currently available.
We jumped into the one we called Deadwood Valley. It is described as an “anonymous”. “adrenaline-pumping zombie thrill-ride through a town overrun by zombies”.
Maximum six people can participate in a game.
It lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Let’s start by getting dressed.
This experience requires a variety of items, with the headset being the most important.
Sensors attach to your wrists or ankles. Then there is a large vest pack that looks bulky but isn’t too heavy.
We each get a weapon.
We hear the screams from other players as we walk down to our zone.
They’re obviously being a bit too extravagant. It’s not.
Graphics hit just the right spot
There is some VR that’s still quite mediocre, with poor graphics and buggy equipment.
Sandbox VR, however, is not like that.
While the graphics are not yet realistic, it is still a zombie adventure.
Overall, I feel the visuals did a good job in a gaming context. It certainly delivered a few thrills.
We share a lot of physical space.
The detection technology allows us to see each other’s virtual selves in real-time, which is really cool.
Although it can be awkward to move your avatars around with family and friends, it is not detrimental to the experience.
Deadwood Valley isn’t unique in its plot. Many of the world’s inhabitants have turned into zombies. You must save a scientist and keep yourself alive while you find a cure.
However, that is not an issue. You know what to expect when you get into a zombie situation.
Hoards of people are quickly moving towards us.
As we became overrun with blood thirsty beasts, we suddenly understood the screams of others.
As I’m attacked, my vest vibrates cleverly, so I can sense what’s happening as well as see it.
I get a horrible fright when one tries to jump onto my back and place its ugly face right before my eyes.
I’d hide behind a car to protect myself in real life. But, VR is different. We are stuck in a large boxed area which turns red if we get too close to the real walls.
Although you can still move quite a bit, make sure to not run into your coworkers.
We are not confined to one spot, and there are clever ways we can move.
The best part of the ride is when you’re driving along in an open truck shooting zombies while they try to climb aboard.
Fan blades start to blow in real life, giving us an extra sensation of being in a fast vehicle.
Although the VR component only lasted 30 minutes, it felt more like 10.
It may seem short but it was enough. Photographing the undead with very few breaks can be hard work.
You can also watch a custom video featuring highlights from your team, which is an added bonus.
Even better, it can be sent to you via email.
You can also make your own cocktails at the robot bar.
Verdict
Sandbox VR is an excellent example of what virtual experiences should look like.
The ability to move around freely has greatly improved, and it’s a bonus to see your pals in the exact same game or room.
Fighting off zombies is a great experience, but I’d love to see more imaginative VR tales that don’t rely on guns. We are told that there is a new fantasy adventure in the making, which is a welcome development.
Fans that produce a wind effect are a great way to take immersion to the next step. This is something I would love to see more of. What about heat from a vehicle that’s burning? You might feel the crunch of debris under your feet.
- Sandbox VR, London, from £30 – Buy Now
Price may also be a sticking point for some, with the cost per person varying between £30 and £45 depending on how many are in your group and the time/day you visit, which might be a push considering the actual VR experience only lasts 30 minutes.
This is VR at its best, and there’s no other VR as intuitive.
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Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality – what’s the difference?
Here are the facts
- Virtual reality refers to the use of a headset in order to simulate a virtual environment
- Virtual reality (VR) worlds will have everything computer-generated.
- The HTC Vive, and Facebook’s Oculus Rift VR headsets are very popular.
- Augmented reality allows you to see the real world but “augments”Computer-generated elements can be added to (or removed).
- This will allow you to overlay computer images onto your real world view.
- You might wear glasses that overlay directions onto your road ahead, for instance.
- Popular AR headsets include Microsoft HoloLens from Microsoft and Google Glass spectacles from Google.
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