The jump from timey-wimey puzzle-solving in the multiverse of Doctor Who, to creating their own story for gritty gang drama Peaky Blinders seems like an unusual one for virtual reality aficionados Maze Theory. But playing a preview of Peaky Blinders: The King's Ransom at EGX 2022 proved that they've gone all-in on the experience. I wasn't really sure of what to expect when hopping into a VR-driven virtual rendition of post-World War I Birmingham's seedy, industrial streets to join a gang of flat cap-toting ne'er-do-wells – but I was immediately immersed in not only the environments and interactivity, but the beginnings of the story before me too. Peaky Blinders: The King's Ransom is a standalone story separate from the television series (and its real-life source material) that puts you in the thick of the action as a voiceless criminal looking to join the ranks of the ruthless Peaky Blinders gang. As such, you're practically the star of your own Peaky Blinders mini-series that takes place in 1928, during the time-jump between seasons four and five of the show. This game is very much the real deal too – you'll meet a couple of infamous faces along the way, and the game has been developed closely with the creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, and some of the show's writers and crew. It's this authenticity that really stood out during my hands-on preview.
Each location I visited during my time with Peaky Blinders: The King's Ransom felt exactly like I was wandering the show's sets, partly because I really was. One of the demo's key environments was the iconic Garrison pub, which Maze Theory's Chief Creative Officer, Russ Harding, tells me was recreated using the real set design plans for the show. Heading to The
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