Sandbox VR and Netflix have joined forces once again to announce their latest immersive VR experience, Stranger Things: Catalyst.
The new experience is based on Netflix’s hit horror TV series Stranger Things and developed by Sandbox VR’s in-house gaming studio.
Sandbox VR’s third collaboration with Netflix follows the Squid Game Virtuals and Rebel Moon: The Descent VR experiences.
Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most popular TV series ever, with its fourth season amassing more than 140 million views across the world.
Stranger Things: Catalyst is debuting ahead of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, which will be released on Netflix in three parts on 26 November, 25 December and 31 December respectively.
In Stranger Things: Catalyst, players will explore iconic locations from the series, wield unique powers, and face terrifying creatures from the Upside Down.
VR experience in the Upside Down
“The success of our previous Netflix collaborations has shown us the incredible potential of bringing beloved content into virtual reality,” said Sandbox VR’s founder and CEO, Steve Zhao.
“Stranger Things, with its rich universe of supernatural phenomena and compelling characters, provides the perfect foundation for a truly groundbreaking VR experience.”
He added, “Our technology will allow fans to physically step into the story they’ve watched unfold over the past seasons, creating thrilling memories with friends as they face the horrors of the Upside Down together.”
At Sandbox VR locations, guests’ own bodies serve as their game controllers.
This is achieved using patented motion-tracking technology that captures the movements of a player’s entire body, combined with a haptic system to provide complete immersion.
Sandbox VR recently revealed plans to expand its global portfolio of VR locations by more than 50 percent this year.
Stranger Things: Catalyst will launch at Sandbox VR venues across the world in late 2025.
Images courtesy of Sandbox VR and Netflix
