AT SANDBOX VR, THE LEFT SIDE IS WHAT THE EQUIPMENT LOOKS LIKE, THE RIGHT SIDE IS WHAT GAMERS WILL EXPERIENCE. | COURTESY SANDBOX VR

It’s hard to believe that a pair of boxy goggles can transport a person to outer space, a video game set, give them the ability to fly or any other situation they can imagine. The computer-generated environment and motion sensors attached to the player offer an eerily realistic experience of a fantasy world. 

Those experiences are coming to Pittsburgh. The virtual reality gaming company, Sandbox VR, is slated to move into The Terminal at the Strip District this summer, giving those in Pittsburgh the chance to try their hand at fighting aliens or zombies or finding a lost treasure. 

Sandbox VR operates in 35 other locations, but this will be its first location in Pennsylvania. 

“We chose Pittsburgh, and specifically The Terminal, for our very first Pennslyvania location because we wanted to be where people live, work, shop, dine and play,” said David Friedman, global SVP of real estate for Sandbox VR, in a press release. 

McCaffery, a privately owned, full-service commercial real estate company, announced that Sandbox VR signed a lease for a 5,571-square-foot location that will join numerous other dining and entertainment retailers such as Puttshack, Chipotle and City Winery. 

“This is a very exciting addition to The Terminal,” said Dan McCaffery, CEO of McCaffery, in a press release. “Sandbox VR will offer a unique experience that will fit in with the personality and excitement available within the Strip District. It will enhance the Strip’s growing reputation as the ‘Silicon Strip’”. 

Players are equipped with a VR headset, a haptic vest and motion sensors on their wrists and ankles that allow them the ability to see and physically interact with other players within the virtual setting. 

“Sandbox VR is a great place for companies to host team-building exercises and for families and friends to come together for social events,” McCaffery said. 

“The Terminal’s focus on pedestrian access and ease of use makes it a destination for residents and visitors alike, which is a critical feature for our entertainment offering. This location is uniquely Pittsburgh and we are thrilled to join this bustling community and become part of the Strip District’s rich history.”