It seems daft to suggest a virtual reality headset like the Oculus Rift could let you experience anything like what the victims of 9/11 went through, but regardless this game developed by a group of French uni students has made a good go of it.

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It’s called [8:46], after the time the North Tower was hit by the first plane, and it allows players to recreate the moment office workers found themselves trapped inside the WTC.

Here’s a teaser:

The creators of the game explain:

[08:46 ] is a narrative driven experience designed for virtual reality, which makes you embody an office worker in the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 events, emphasizing the victims’ point of view.

Based on countless hours of research in order to try to properly recreate the atmosphere and dynamics within the top floors of the towers, [08:46] was designed and developed as a school project during three months by a six member team.

Having put our best efforts to craft a compelling and challenging narrative experience, we now release [08:46] on the 14th anniversary of the tragedy that shaped our century.

Naturally, many are outraged by the idea that a 9/11 virtual reality experience could exist (it is kinda fucked up to be fair), but at the same time there are those who would love to give it a spin now that the technology is available.

Can’t be any more offensive than the ridiculous items they’re selling at the 9/11 museum, surely.