The numerous immersive works that flourish every year prove that virtual reality has largely integrated the art world. The 7th art is not left behind, as shown by the prestigious film festivals that offer virtual reality content (Sundance, the Venice Film Festival, etc.). Beyond the cinema, television is also interested in VR.
To offer exclusive content, to develop the universe of a series, to promote it, to attract and retain fans… The possibilities of virtual reality are numerous for the small screen and for its stars: the television series. More and more immersive experiences from successful series are being created. Here are five examples of series that have relied on virtual and augmented reality.
Virtual reality as a tool to promote TV shows
In 2022, a new virtual reality experience will be released around the universe of the Peaky Blinders series. PEAKY BLINDERS: THE KING’S RANSOM is an immersive game where you play as one of the members of the famous Thomas Shelby’s gang. As a bonus, the voice of Cillian Murphy, the main actor of the series, will immerse fans in the atmosphere of Peaky Blinders. A perfect experience to wait for the final season to be broadcast in June (trailer).
Virtual reality seems to be such a powerful tool for series, that even Netflix has jumped on board. The streaming service has published and developed its own VR game, adapted from the animated series Eden, produced of course by Netflix. In Eden Unearthed, play as the last human in a world controlled by robots and artificial intelligence. Beyond the pitch, it is the arrival of Netflix in the world of virtual reality that challenges, and promises other immersive experiences adapted from series (trailer).
VR video game: a popular format for series
How will you survive during a zombie apocalypse? THE WALKING DEAD: SAINTS & SINNERS VR game helps you answer that question. The horrific and apocalyptic universe of The Walking Dead series fits perfectly with virtual reality. This immersive game reinforces the scary atmosphere of the series, and involves fans in the adventure of the characters. The recent announcement of a second volume confirms its success (trailer)!
Another series that relies on a virtual reality game: Doctor Who. DOCTOR WHO: THE EDGE OF TIME was developed by Maze Theory, the same studio behind Peaky Blinders. The virtual reality experience takes you inside the TARDIS ship, alongside the voice of Jodie Whittaker, one of the main actresses of the series. The game was released between the airing of season 11 and 12, allowing fans to enjoy additional content while waiting (trailer).
See also DOCTOR WHO: THE RUNAWAY.
What about augmented reality?
Unlike all the above mentioned series, FOR ALL MANKIND, broadcast on Apple TV+, has chosen to rely on augmented reality. The FOR ALL MANKIND: TIME CAPSULE experience (recently awarded the Innovation Award at the recent Producers Guild of America, or PGA Awards) was created to promote season 2. Augmented reality makes digital objects appear in the fans’ real-life environment. Each object reveals new content, about the universe of the series and about the next season to come (trailer).
The fan experience has always been a goal for series producers. Virtual reality helps today to offer a new and exclusive experience, with a well thought-out storytelling thanks to a pitch, a universe, settings and characters. Some more examples:
