Click and point adventures are taking a revolutionary new step forward, with the debut of the world’s first virtual reality (VR) choose-your-own-adventure feature film.
MansLaughter, created specifically for Samsung’s Gear VR headset, puts viewers at the scene of a murder, letting them choose how the story in front of their eyes plays out in a completely immersive virtual world. In the concept, time is collapsed and four scenes (that would otherwise happen on different days in the real world) are happening simultaneously around the viewer.
All viewers start with the same introduction, setting the stage for what’s to come later in the movie. In this opening scene, the employer of two women has won the lottery and the women come up with a plan to steal the money for themselves. From there viewers can move through each scene, while also rewinding and fast-forwarding until they can create a picture of the story unfolding. Visually they will be able to look at the edges of scenes on either side while also taking in the scene unfolding in front of them.
Still in the early stages, several companies are currently developing cameras capable of shooting films for virtual reality.
MansLaughter doesn’t use a 360 degree concept possible with VR cameras, rather opting for the four simultaneous but separate scenes and letting viewers choose the way they take in the story.
The VR world is starting to heat up, with
Oculus Rift, Samsung’s Gear VR and
Microsoft’s Hololens seemingly the pack leaders in the race for VR technology dominance.