Take yourself back to the year 2021, September to be exact, when a lot of us in the UK were twiddling our thumbs wondering what to watch on Netflix. (We can’t remember why.) Suddenly, you discover an unheard-of show about players competing in a series of deadly children’s games for the chance to win a cash prize. You decide to stick it on. It’s called Squid Game.
The South Korean drama would go on to become the most-watched series of all time – with over 265 million views on Netflix – but no one could have predicted the global phenomenon it would become. With a reality competition based on the series dropping this November, Squid Game: The Challenge, its popularity isn’t about to drop off soon. So don’t miss this opportunity to play your very own version of Squid Game.
Teaming up, Netflix and Sandbox VR have brought Squid Game Virtuals to the Bullring & Grand Central. A brand new Squid Game-inspired virtual reality experience, it lets teams of up to six compete in iconic locations from the TV show. With games like ‘Red Light, Green Light,’ and ‘Cross the Glass Bridge’ faithfully recreated, it’s a true test to be the last one standing among your mates.
“At Netflix, we have always been committed to pushing the boundaries of entertainment and we are excited to partner with Sandbox VR for the launch of our Squid Game virtual reality experience,” said Greg Lombardo, VP, Live Experiences, Netflix. “By tapping into the power of virtual reality, fans can further immerse themselves in the world of this series with captivating and thrilling games they have come to know and love.”
Using groundbreaking full-body VR, Sandbox VR employs a patented motion-tracking system that captures the movements of players in real-time. Combining this with a high-quality haptic system, this is a complete immersion that’s not possible with home VR. With your own bodies acting as game controllers, all you have to do is step into the virtual world and the action unfolding.
“During early development, we knew the key to this project was to bring the unforgettable thrills and drama of Squid Game to VR in a way that’s approachable and fun for fans,” said Michael Hampden, SVP Content and Creative Director at Sandbox VR. “Working closely with Netflix, we designed new mini-games and adapted ideas from the series. The result is an incredibly engaging and social experience, unlike anything Sandbox VR has created before.”
With some surprising new twists expected along the way too, Squid Game Virtuals is the ultimate way for you to submerge yourself into the world of the hit series. After each game session, players will receive personalised highlight videos capturing their adrenaline-fuelled, virtual in-game reactions, and recapping how their very own Squid Game story unfolded. To learn more and book a spot head here.