BBC Earth: Life in VR
BBC Studios | Preloaded | Google
Producer, David Bradshaw
A new way to experience stories from the natural world
In this real-time interactive VR experience you travel through the underwater world of the Californian coast.
You are able to hitch a ride with inhabitants ranging from otters to squid, guiding you through their ecosystem. On the way you are free to explore the world and discover side-stories and new animals. Building a picture of the behaviours and relationships which sustain this diverse ecosystem.
Animals react to your presence bringing you face to face with inquisitive otters, territorial garibaldi and predatory squid. You experience life at a microscopic scale, and dive into the ocean abyss to hunt with the mighty Sperm Whale in a world lit up by sonar.
Working closely with Google engineers we pushed at the boundaries of their platform to develop a rich, dynamic visual environment coupled with dynamic, interactive animal models, movements and behaviours. Bringing this all to life are binaural environmental sound effects from the same world leading team behind Blue Planet and an original music score built specifically for an interactive world, adjusting to reflect changes in mood and tone of the locations visited and animals encountered.
As a launch title for Google’s latest Daydream VR device we have also developed an experience that brings this all to life in a headset that provides 6 degrees of freedom and one of the largest fields of view of any device on the market.
Inspired by the BBC’s Natural History filmmaking heritage, BBC Earth: Life in VR is meticulously researched and crafted. It represents an ambition to translate the DNA of the storytelling craft loved by audiences all over the world to an exciting new medium in order to bring VR to a broader audience.
“The wonders of natural history meet the magic of virtual reality”
AWARD RECOGNITION
Google Play Awards - Best VR / AR Experience
Doc / Fest - VR Selection
NOMINATIONS
Cannes Lions - Digital Craft
Broadcast Digital - Best VR Experience
VR Awards - VR Experience of the year