Blackbox

A virtual reality journey through war and memory

As Head of Product and R&D at TRT, I oversaw a portfolio of cutting-edge digital experiences, including the network’s first immersive VR production: Blackbox. Developed by my team at TRT World R&D Labs, Blackbox was a bold experiment in storytelling—bringing the brutal reality of the Syrian civil war to life through the eyes of a child, using virtual reality as the medium.

Blackbox places the viewer inside the bombed ruins of Sami’s home. Sami, a young boy displaced by war, guides users through his fragmented memories—moments of innocence, joy, trauma, and ultimately hope. The story culminates in his escape to a refugee camp, offering a deeply human glimpse into the lives of millions of displaced children.

This was not just a tech demo. We collaborated with journalists, psychologists, social workers, and refugee families to ensure authenticity in both narrative and design. From scripting and prototyping to headset deployment, I led the cross-functional team that delivered this emotionally charged experience in just one month.

Blackbox launched on HTC Vive and Oculus, received strong feedback for its emotional weight and visual quality, and marked a milestone in TRT’s commitment to immersive journalism.

Key Contributions:

• Led R&D and product direction for TRT’s first VR experience

• Coordinated internal stakeholders from editorial, tech, and executive teams

• Delivered MVP in one month using agile rapid prototyping