Immersive virtual reality venue launches in downtown Ottawa
A new fully immersive virtual reality attraction has opened in downtown Ottawa, giving visitors the opportunity to step directly into life-sized digital worlds inspired by science fiction and adventure themes. The venue is located at the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, adding another entertainment option to the city’s busy core and drawing attention from both residents and visitors.
The new location, operated as Sandbox VR Ottawa, is situated above the CIBC Bank and next to the former Chapters building at 45 Rideau Street. The facility is designed for small groups, allowing up to six participants to share the same virtual experience at one time. Unlike traditional gaming setups, the attraction focuses on full-body involvement, combining motion capture technology, haptic feedback, and live interaction between players inside a shared virtual environment.
Management at the Ottawa site has indicated that the experience is intended to go far beyond conventional video games. Rather than interacting with a screen using a controller, participants physically move through open space while their actions are mirrored in real time within the virtual world. This approach is designed to create a sense of presence, where players feel as though they are truly inside the game environment rather than observing it from the outside.
Each participant is equipped with a virtual reality headset, wrist and ankle motion sensors, and a specialised haptic vest. These components work together to track movement with high accuracy while also delivering physical sensations that match in-game events. Motors built into the vest provide tactile feedback, allowing players to feel impacts or interactions that occur behind or around them, adding another layer of realism to the experience.
The technical setup relies on multiple overhead cameras installed in each play area. These cameras track reflective markers on the motion sensors, enabling the system to capture player movements and reactions from every angle. As players walk, turn, crouch, or reach out, their actions are instantly translated into the virtual environment with minimal delay, maintaining immersion and encouraging natural movement.
The Ottawa location currently offers eight different virtual experiences. Several of these are linked to well-known entertainment franchises developed through partnerships, while others are original concepts created exclusively for Sandbox VR. Popular options include scenarios based on survival horror, adventure quests, and team-based challenges that require cooperation and communication among players to succeed.
All of the experiences are designed to be physically engaging. Participants are expected to move actively throughout the session, which can result in increased exertion compared with traditional seated gaming. This emphasis on movement is part of the attraction’s appeal, as it blends gaming with a light physical workout while maintaining an entertainment-focused atmosphere.
The opening in Ottawa forms part of a broader global expansion strategy. Sandbox VR operates dozens of locations worldwide and plans to increase that number significantly over the next two years. The company has stated its intention to open approximately 80 additional venues by the end of 2026, which would bring its total global footprint to around 140 locations.
Sessions at the Ottawa venue typically last between 30 and 40 minutes, with pricing set at approximately $60 per person. Due to expected demand, customers are encouraged to book their sessions online in advance. The company views the Ottawa opening as an opportunity to become a fixture in the city’s evolving downtown entertainment scene while introducing more people to large-scale, shared virtual reality experiences.
