VR Entertainment

How VR Was Used To Help Produce A Full-Scale Opera

February 16, 2023 From vrscout

This live production was built from the ground up using immersive technology.

XR hardware manufacturer Varjo has partnered with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB) to help produce a new opera using VR technology. According to an official release, FNOB is the first opera house to utilize Varjo immersive technology throughout the entire production process of an opera show.

According to Varjo, the “visually-stunning” show is a rendition of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, which tells the story of a prince who falls in love with the cold princess Turandot. Performances began on January 27th and will run until March 4th, 2023. The show itself was developed from start to finish using the Varjo Aero, a professional-grade VR headset.

Credit: Varjo, Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Immersive technology was used by the creative team to develop a design visualization tool they call “XR Stage.” Built using Unreal Engine, the tool was used from the proof-of-concept phase all the way to final production. A virtual set was developed by Finnish studio ZOAN before being built IRL, saving time and money in the process. According to Varjo, working in VR provided a number of significant benefits compared to conventional production planning.

One of the most obvious benefits is the reduced travel time. Stage production teams could meet up and collaborate remotely in VR from anywhere in the world instead of having to fly to Helsinki. There was also a noticeable reduction in material and labor costs compared to conventional stage design. The team claims that 20% of the budgeted labor costs were slashed using VR technology. Not only that but 1,500 hours were cut from production, saving approximately € 75,000 in the process.

**Credit: Varjo, Finnish National Opera and Ballet**

“After 20 years of modeling lights, our technical team recognized that we needed a more efficient solution to provide our artistic teams with faster and better quality results. Our artists were only open to using virtual tools if models would be photorealistic and it was an intuitive user experience,” said Timo Tuovila, production and technical director of the FNOB, in an official release. “Varjo’s VR/XR technology enables just that. We have been able to create a digital twin of our stage that actually is true to life, matching the expectations of our ambitious artistic and technical teams.”

Finnish National Opera and Ballet is no stranger to immersive technology. The organization has used XR to visualize several set productions since 2020. Moving forward, FNOB plans on introducing Varjo’s XR-3 headset into its set productions.

Turandot was co-produced by the FNOB and the Malmö Opera in Sweden. For more information on Varjo’s involvement with FNOB visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Varjo, Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Immersive VR Film Takes You On A Supersonic Jet Ride

November 22, 2022 From vrscout

Experience what it is like to train like an astronaut.

Emmy award-winning immersive production studio Felix & Paul Studios, the team behind the hit VR series Space Explorers: An ISS Experience, is back with yet another jaw-dropping 360-degree experience for Meta Quest VR headsets.

Available now via the Meta Quest TV app, Supersonic Flight – Space Explorers: Special Feature puts you in the cockpit of a T-38 supersonic jet, the same aircraft used by NASA to train astronauts for spaceflight. The roughly nine-minute 3D 360-degree video takes you through a variety of scenic locations—from a sprawling canyon to a snowy mountain range—at ridiculously high speeds.

“For the past 60 years, NASA astronauts have trained for spaceflight flying T-38 supersonic jets,” states the official description. “Now is your chance to jump on board and fly faster than the speed of sound!”

Similar to the Space Explorers series, Supersonic Flight makes excellent use of 360-degree camera technology to immerse you in a one-of-a-kind experience that would normally be out of reach for the general public. 3D brings the cockpit and its array of controls to life, further absorbing you in the virtual flight.

That said, this experience may not be for everyone. The high-altitude joyride features several moments that could prove jarring to those prone to motion sickness. If you are able to stomach the ride, however, you’re in for a serious treat. Felix & Paul Studios is responsible for some of the most visually-stunning 360-degree films available on VR headsets, and Supersonic Flight is no exception.

Most recently, the studio partnered with NASA to host an immersive VR live stream of the highly-anticipated Artemis 1 rocket launch this month. Supersonic Flight is just the latest in a series of exciting partnerships with the American space agency.

You can watch Supersonic Flight – Space Explorers: Special Feature now on Meta Quest VR headsets for free via the Meta Quest TV app. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Felix & Paul Studios

Watch NASA’s Historic Rocket Launch Live In VR

November 14, 2022 From vrscout

All you need is a Meta Quest 2 or Meta Quest Pro VR headset.

After a series of delays due to technical difficulties, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is set to launch later this week as part of the Artemis I mission. The uncrewed moon-orbiting mission will test out the absurdly powerful heavy-lift rocket before conducting another manned mission sometime around 2024.

The historic launch is set to take place on November 15th (Pacific Standard Time) at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida and while tickets are sold out, you can still catch the action live in VR. Immersive production company Felix & Paul Studios has partnered with Meta and NASA to host a 4K 360-degree livestream of the historic launch in Horizon Worlds, Meta’s social VR metaverse.

All you have to do is log in to Horizon Worlds at 9:04pm PST on November 15th and head to a world called Venues. Here you can watch the launch live alongside fellow space fanatics or by yourself from the comfort of your own private viewing area.

Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

“The Apollo missions were televised worldwide in black and white, but the Artemis generation will experience the upcoming Moon missions, and future Mars missions, in an immersive and experiential way,” said Felix Lajeunesse, co-founder and creative director of Felix & Paul Studios. “This first immersive live-streaming is part of our ongoing mission which started with our Space Explorers series, to bring the public along for the ride on humanity’s next giant leap in human space exploration.”

No VR? No problem. Facebook will be hosting its own 8K livestream with multiple camera angles on November 15th. You can also watch the launch live in person at participating 360-degree fulldome locations. You can find a full list of domes and planetariums here.

Feature Image Credit: Meta

VR Robotics Could Save Lives On The Battlefield

November 11, 2022 From vrscout

“Congratulations! You are being rescued.”

Researchers based out of the University of Sheffield are developing a new telepresence system that will allow trained medical personnel to safely provide life-saving treatment to soldiers while in combat. First reported by Engadget, the system features a unique combination of VR technology, haptics, and advanced robotics.

Using a VR headset and haptic glove, medical personnel can remotely observe a patient’s condition on the battlefield, including their blood pressure and temperature. They can even take mouth swabs, obtain blood samples, and perform medical triage using the latest in robotic surgery technology.

“Developing a remotely-operated robotic system would significantly improve safety by reducing the amount of danger military personnel are exposed to on the frontline,” said Project Lead Professor Sanja Dogramadzi from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering in an official release. “Our platform uses the latest technology and would integrate it in a way that hasn’t been done before. We are excited to lead on this research and share how the technology could be used in active service.”

“The MediTel project aims to help defence and security medical personnel remotely triage and treat casualties,” added David King, head of digital design at the University of Sheffield AMRC. “MediTel will reduce the risk to medical personnel by limiting their exposure to potential hazards while providing an improved chance of survival for the casualty.”

Credit: Telexistence Inc.

We’ve seen our fair share of VR-controlled robots in the past, from VR convenience store employees to a remote-controlled bomb squad bot. That said, this is the first we’ve heard of VR-powered medical robots.

Not only could this technology reduce the time it takes to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield, but it could also improve the safety of trained medical professionals by removing them from potentially dangerous combat scenarios.

The project is being developed by the University of Sheffield’s Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with funding from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority through the Defence and Security Accelerator. Additional support was provided by I3DRobotics and Emergency Medicine clinical consultants.

For more information check out the official report from the University of Sheffield.

Feature Image Credit: University of Sheffield

VRChat Entertainment Network Coming This New Years

November 9, 2022 From vrscout

The developer is looking for video submissions from the VRChat community.

The popular VR social platform VRChat is launching the VRChat Entertainment Network in celebration of New Year’s 2023. The fully managed video stream will feature a combination of live music video content as well as pre-recorded content made by the community for the community.

Beginning this week, VRChat users from all corners of the metaverse can submit VRChat-related video content for potential inclusion in the official video stream. This could be anything from a showcase of various VRChat worlds and a fake commercial for a fictional product to a short comedy skit or instructional how-to video.

VRChat offers a list of requirements on its website. You’ll want to keep the video length somewhere between 10 seconds and 10 minutes and aim for “family-friendly content,” which means ease up on the swearing and controversial topics.

You’ll also want to avoid promoting any real products or using especially small text. VRChat says it will do its best to notify you whether or not you’re submission has been selected, but isn’t making any promises, so you’ll want to watch the video stream just to make sure.

Your video should be recorded at a resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second. The final version of your project must be submitted via Google Drive. You can find more information on technical guidelines here.

You have until December 5th at 12pm PT to submit your content.

Image Credit: VRChat

Watch Celebrities Conquer Their Biggest Fears In VR

October 19, 2022 From vrscout

The first episode will premiere on October 26th on Facebook, Instagram, and Meta Quest TV.

Meta is teaming up with actor & comedian Marlon Wayans on a new comedy series in which celebrities face their biggest fears in VR using Meta Quest 2. First reported by Variety, Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans will premiere next week on Wayans’ Facebook and Instagram. New episodes will also premiere every Wednesday on Quest headsets via the Meta Quest TV app.

Each episode follows a new celebrity as they attempt to conquer their personal phobia with the help of VR technology. This includes everything from acrophobia, the fear of heights, galeophobia, the fear of sharks, phasmophobia, the fear of supernatural entities, and zoophobia, the fear of animals.

Throughout the series, Wayans will be joined by such recognizable names as Anthony Anderson of the TV show Black-ish, Kelly Rowland of the music group Destiny’s Child, influencer Bryce Hall, professional wrestling duo the Bella Twins, influencer and singer Loren Gray, and comedian & TV host Loni Love.

Credit: Taylor Miller

“There’s nothing more fun than horror, pranking, and scaring friends,” said Wayans in a statement. “This show has all the above.”

Based on the footage provided in the trailer, the show features a unique combination of mixed reality technology and physical props. In some clips, we see the celebrity guests being tormented with different props, such as a rubber snake and a pair of music cymbals. It’s an interesting concept for a series, one that appears to make excellent use of the Quest’s immersive capabilities, not to mention mixed reality.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the hilarious and talented Marlon Wayans as he brings his closest friends face-to-face with their fears thanks to the power of virtual reality,” added Mina Lefevre, Meta’s head of development and programming. “We’re excited to partner with Jesse Collins Entertainment to bring these immersive experiences to life using Meta Quest 2.”

Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans premiers on October 26th. You can watch the show on Wayans’ Facebook and Instagram pages as well as Meta Quest TV. New episodes will be released every Wednesday at 9am moving forward.

Feature Image Credit: Marlon Wayans