Celeb-backed virtual reality venue brings Netflix-inspired games to Houston

Virtual reality gaming company Sandbox VR will be opening its first Houston location in 2026, combining the community and physical aspects of laser tag with the immersive environment of modern virtual reality video gaming. The location will open at 797 Sorella Court in CityCentre early next year.

Houston has no shortage of group virtual reality and immersive gaming experiences, but Sandbox has established itself as one of the country's premier virtual reality venues with an impressive 65 locations naitonwide. The company boasts a number of celebrity investors, including Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant, and Will Smith.

Sandbox partnered with LOL Entertainment, who operate a variety of similar attractions such as the Museum of Illusions and Time Mission, to drive this latest expansion that also includes Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C..

"Houston's reputation as a hub for innovation and technology makes it a perfect fit for Sandbox VR," said Steve Zhao, CEO and founder of Sandbox VR. "The city's diverse, tech-savvy population and strong entertainment culture create an ideal environment for our immersive VR experiences. LOL Entertainment continues to exceed our expectations as a partner, and we're excited to bring our cutting-edge virtual reality gaming to Texas's largest city."

Some of the games announced for the Houston location look spectacular. The Curse of Davy Jones pits players against ghostly pirates on a rickety galleon, while in Deadwood Mansion they'll battle hordes of zombies with rifles. Zack Snyder fans will get a chance to experience the world of the Rebel Moon Netflix film series in Descent, which allows gamers to fully-explore the gritty planet Daggus.

Sandbox VR Squid Game Experience Squid Game without the dangerous outcomes.Image courtesy of Sandbox VR

Another game takes players inside the world of Squid Game. From dragons to aliens, there is something for everyone to shoot, and players can get support in multiple languages, including Arabic, Cantonese, Dutch, English, French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish.

“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Sandbox VR once again to bring their cutting-edge, immersive VR experience to CityCentre Houston, a destination that perfectly blends dining, shopping, and entertainment. It’s an ideal place to showcase the next generation of immersive experiences,” said Rob Cooper, CEO and founder of LOL Entertainment. “CityCentre offers the kind of high-profile, high-traffic environment that’s ideal for Sandbox VR. Securing this lease reinforces our commitment to strategically placing Sandbox VR in locations that maximize visibility and long-term growth.”

A skeletal pirate attacks a ship in a VR video game.

Photo courtesy of Sandbox VR

Battle ghostly pirates in The Curse of Davy Jones

video games virtual reality experience sandbox vr citycentre openings

In Memoriam

Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Joe Ely dies at 78

Joe Ely/Facebook

Joe Ely was a major figure in Texas' progressive country scene.

Joe Ely, the legendary songwriter, singer and storyteller whose career spanned more than five decades, has died from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. He was 78.

In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at his side.

Born February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely was raised in Lubbock and became a central figure among a generation of influential West Texas musicians. He later settled in Austin, helping shape the city’s reputation as a hub for live music.

As with many local legends, it's hard to tease out what specifically made Ely's time in Austin so great; Austin treasures its live music staples, so being around and staying authentic from the early days is often the most important thing an artist can do.

Ely got his local start at One Knight Tavern, which later became Stubb's BBQ — the artist and the famous venue share a hometown of Lubbock. He alternated nights with emerging guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughn. He built his own recording studio in Dripping Springs, and kept close relationships with other Texas musicians. Later in his career, Ely brought fans into the live music experience, publishing excerpts from his journal and musings on the road in Bonfire of Roadmaps (2010), and was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2022. Austin blues icon Marcia Ball was among Ely's friends who played the induction show.

"Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In the 1970s, Ely signed with MCA Records, launching a career that included decades of recording and touring around the world. His work and performances left a lasting impact on the music scene and influenced a wide range of artists, including the Clash and Bruce Springsteen, according to Rolling Stone.

"His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto. He began his career in the Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock natives Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and he would mix their songs with his through 50 years of critically acclaimed recordings. [...]"

Read the full story at KVUE.com. CultureMap has added two paragraphs of context about the Austin portion of Ely's career.

obituary music country music

Celeb-backed virtual reality venue brings Netflix-inspired games to Houston

In Memoriam

Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Joe Ely dies at 78

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