Blackbox

A virtual reality journey through war and memory

Overview

Blackbox was TRT’s first immersive virtual reality experience, created to confront users with the human cost of the Syrian civil war. The experience placed viewers inside the shattered remains of a family home, where they are guided by the voice of Sami—a young boy whose memories unfold through moments of innocence, chaos, fear, and ultimately resilience. His story ends in a refugee camp, offering a rare, humanizing perspective on the reality faced by millions of displaced children.

Produced by TRT World’s R&D Labs, Blackbox stood apart from the era’s VR landscape by rejecting spectacle in favor of empathy. It used interactivity and immersive storytelling to deepen engagement with a global crisis, expanding the boundaries of what journalism could be on emerging platforms.

Leadership & Execution

As Head of Product and R&D, Derrick Fountain provided strategic direction and hands-on leadership throughout the development of Blackbox. He defined the vision, shaped the production approach, and oversaw the interdisciplinary team responsible for delivering the project. While day-to-day coordination was led by a product manager reporting directly to him, Derrick guided all aspects of execution—from narrative framing and team structure to timelines and release goals.

The product was developed in just one month using rapid prototyping cycles. It brought together journalists, 3D designers, developers, psychologists, and humanitarian advisors to ensure the story was not only emotionally resonant, but ethically and contextually accurate. The result was a powerful and deeply considered VR experience that preserved the integrity of its subject while pushing technical and narrative boundaries.

Impact

Blackbox launched across HTC Vive and Oculus headsets and was praised for its emotional depth, narrative authenticity, and visual design. It demonstrated that VR could serve as more than a novelty—it could be a conduit for empathy, especially when guided by editorial principles and journalistic intent.

For TRT, the project marked a strategic leap into immersive journalism. It established internal workflows, creative capabilities, and proof points for future VR and XR initiatives, while affirming the network’s role as a forward-thinking media innovator willing to take creative risks in service of global storytelling.