IMAX coming to VR
By Digital News Asia May 26, 2016
- Starbreeze links up with IMAX for VR
- Director Michael Bay interested in VR
AFTER a linkup with Acer, Starbreeze has announced a new joint venture for its location-based virtual reality aspirations. The developer has now announced a partnership with IMAX Corporation to create premium location-based VR experiences in malls, theaters, and tourist destinations.
The agreement says IMAX will use Starbreeze's StarVR headset and library of VR games and experiences, as well as content created with recently announced cinema-grade IMAX Google VR camera.
StarVR's 210-degree field-of-view was a particularly attractive feature for the film company, compared to the 110-degree mark of Oculus and HTC Vive or PlayStation VR's 100-degree field-of-view.
"We believe VR is an area that holds tremendous promise and is a natural progression for IMAX given our established worldwide brand presence, our immersive entertainment technology know-how, and strong industry relationships with filmmakers, studios and exhibitors," said IMAX Corp. CEO Richard L. Gelfond.
IMAX has also said it will leverage its existing ties to filmmakers and studios to encourage more people to produce VR content. One such filmmaker could be Michael Bay, who said, "as a filmmaker, IMAX's location-based VR offering presents an exciting opportunity to transport audiences even further into the worlds we create."
IMAX and Starbreeze will launch six test sites this year in select US and international markets. If the tests go well, the companies plan to roll out the concept globally.
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