Last fall, Warner Bros. and cloud graphics company OTOY announced a virtual reality experience designed for the Oculus Rift and Samsung GALAXY Gear VR, based on Batman: The Animated Series. The current demo showcases a million cubic meters of the Batcave environment that fans can explore including the main area, dock, garage and trophy room and features vehicles including the Batmobile and Batboat.
The companies also announced that series writer Paul Dini, and original Bruce Wayne/Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy are joining the project, joining previously announced original series producer Bruce Timm. The content is the latest example of next-generation interactive experiences studios are exploring with their IP.
The Batman: The Animated Series virtual reality experience will be available this winter. Check out some images and the full press release below for more info.
STANFORD, Calif. – February 12, 2015 – Blue Ribbon Content (Warner Bros.’ shortform digital series production unit), DC Entertainment and cloud graphics pioneer OTOY Inc. today treated attendees of Stanford University’s Workshop on Light Field Imaging to a preview of a first-of-its-kind immersive VR experience set in the world of the 1990s animated classic Batman: The Animated Series. The immersive entertainment experience uses OTOY’s breakthrough holographic light field rendering technology to transport viewers to a fully navigable Batcave, faithfully recreating the look and feel of the animated series and realized in stunning detail. The VR experience is the first demonstration of light fields being used to render large, navigable volumetric spaces, with the Batcave featuring a million cubic meters of space to explore.
“Being able to climb inside the Batman: The Animated Series universe, to experience that world as if you’re living in it, is absolutely incredible. Today’s demonstration validates the tremendous storytelling opportunities we have with VR and OTOY’s light field rendering technology,” said Sam Register, who runs Blue Ribbon Content as President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series. “We know that fans around the world are waiting for this, and trust me when I say that it will be worth the wait.”
“Batman: The Animated Series holds a special place in many fans’ hearts, and that’s why it’s been so critical to us at OTOY to perfectly preserve the show’s unique aesthetic in virtual reality using our groundbreaking holographic light field technology,” said Jules Urbach, Founder and CEO, OTOY. “Being huge fans of Batman: The Animated Series ourselves, it’s been a dream come true to work with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment on this project and we’re excited to share it with all of the fans out there soon.”
The forthcoming Batman: The Animated Series experience will allow fans to explore a detailed adaptation of the original 1992 designs envisioned by series producer Bruce Timm using VR devices such as the Samsung GALAXY Gear VR and the Oculus Rift. Along with Timm, series writer Paul Dini is also involved in the project, and voice actor Kevin Conroy is reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman. In addition to the Batcave, fans can expect a few other surprises in the VR experience which is still set for release this winter.
