Age of Dinosaurs is the kind of location-based VR experience worth buying a ticket for, even if you already have VR at home. Available now at Sandbox VR locations worldwide, this new multiplayer adventure was developed in collaboration with Natural History Museum London and paleontologist Dr. Darren Naish. Guests are sent back in time on a guided prehistoric journey across multiple eras to witness and interact with dinosaurs, learn through play, and leave with shared memories.
With room for up to six guests at a time, full-body tracking, haptics, wind effects, and an interactive guided story, it taps into the strengths of location-based VR without relying on novelty or overcomplicating the experience.
The Right Mix of Story and Interaction
In an attraction with set timeslots, there is little room for delays in completing it. But often, attractions can feel so on-the-rails that it spoils the illusion of presence. Age of Dinosaurs offers the perfect mix of storytelling and interaction that helps you believe you are a part of the story world.
A pre-recorded guide hosts the adventure, taking guests back in time aboard a ship that transports them between eras and scenes, while naturally sharing how to make the most of the journey. The pacing never feels rushed. Interactive moments and free-roam exploration give guests time to engage with the world before the narrative progresses. Each scene lasts long enough for memorable experiences like feeding large-scale dinosaurs or rescuing recently hatched babies, and then moves on while the excitement is still high.
Guests can interact with the environments while using an intuitive multitool. Its functions change from scene to scene and are introduced by the host as the adventure unfolds, so there is little to learn or remember. It simply works when needed, keeping attention on the world rather than the controls. What remains consistent throughout the experience is the ability to capture photos of the world or selfies. Points are awarded for exploring more of what is around you. They reward curiosity, guide attention, and add another reason to stay engaged with each new scene. Good edutainment should feel like discovery, not homework. Here, information is woven into the adventure through the host and through exploration itself. It is also a multiplayer experience, making shared presence another part of the story guests create together.
Why This Adventure Needs a Venue
Some immersive experiences become more compelling when they can take advantage of the unique benefits of a physical space. Age of Dinosaurs is one of them.
While the story and ship travel moments keep the timed experience moving forward, free-roam movement within each scene preserves the natural feeling of exploring prehistoric worlds rather than being pushed through them or relying on less natural locomotion systems.
Full-body tracking helps the illusion of presence as well. Looking down and seeing your and other players’ feet in another era, watching others react beside you, and moving through the world together creates a stronger sense of being there.
In addition, physical effects push the experience further. The haptic vest adds a sense of physical connection to movement in the world. Controller haptics enhance the feeling of moments like feeding dinosaurs. Wind effects make travel sequences feel more convincing. Small details. Big payoff.
Location-based VR also opens the door to more people who do not yet own an XR headset. Sandbox VR is a global leader that has mastered making its growing lineup of experiences intuitive and enjoyable for first-time VR guests through to VR veterans. The only downside I experienced is that the group pods in the venue I visited did not have ceilings, so noise from guests in the horror experience next door could be heard near the end of my session.
How the Journey Adds Value
The value of immersive experiences is measured by more than what happens when the headset is on. The full customer journey matters, and Sandbox VR benefits from understanding that. From the smooth reservation, check-in, and suiting-up process, through to the private group pods and what happens after the Age of Dinosaurs adventure ends – the overall experience feels premium.
After the session ends, guests are shown a personalized group video recap that is also sent to them alongside each guest’s selfie video. They highlight their unique moments in the prehistoric journey. These custom videos give guests something to revisit later, helping turn a fun outing into a memory that lasts beyond the day itself. They are also highly shareable content for friends’ timelines that clearly conveys the offering. Once shared, they can inspire others to book an adventure of their own and even spark a return visit for another Sandbox VR experience.
This article was originally published on uploadvr.com
