This is what I think the future of VR will be like.
In spite of the fact that I am a genuine averse to the real world, I find that virtual reality is incredibly tempting. On the other hand, I’m not really into AAA games that take 100 hours to complete, such as Asgard’s Wrath 2 or Half Life: Alyx. I am interested in having brief experiences that are engaging and cannot be found anyplace else. Is there any good news for me? Apple Vision Pro is receiving a very cool mixed-reality “interactive story” that might signal the evolution of a new sort of entertainment that puts people directly in their favorite shows or movies. This new type of entertainment places people in the middle of their favorite shows or movies.
Step inside the Multiverse like never before…
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) May 8, 2024
‘What If…? – An Immersive Story’ is the first-ever interactive @DisneyPlus Original story, coming soon to Apple Vision Pro from Marvel Studios and @ILMImmersive. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/jg5UKnfHDC
It was just announced that Marvel and Industrial Light & Magic, the business that George Lucas founded, will be releasing an Apple Vision Pro game that will be based on the current Disney+ show What If…?, which has just finished its second season earlier this week. It will be an experience that lasts for one hour and makes advantage of all of the technology that is currently included inside Apple’s expensive headset, including that outstanding passthrough.
For the time being, the plot is being kept a secret; nevertheless, it is quite evident that you will not be playing as The Watcher. According to the promotional language, players will “learn the mystic arts,” which seems to bring to mind the character of Dr. Strange. An further promise made by the corporations is that “fans will step into breathtaking environments that place them in new and iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe locations.” Is it possible that we will be able to electronically place an order for shawarma with Tony Stark and the rest of the ensemble?
However, I have played the Vader Immortal series and a great number of other titles that are very similar to this one, and I simply adore them. I have not yet played a demo of this game. Combining video games and television shows is something that appears to be a natural progression of both of these mediums. By giving the player the impression that they are free, but by keeping them primarily on rails, you may call it a day.
When asked about this term, director Dave Bushore expressed his agreement, describing it as “the next evolution in how we tell our stories” and stating that it is a “glimpse of what I’ve been waiting for my whole life.” Despite the fact that Bushore does not have a number of directorial credits to his name, he served as the interactive marketing executive for a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including Iron Man 3, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. David Dong and Phil McCarty, a partnership better known for their adaptation of a short film based on an article written by David Sedaris, are the ones responsible for writing it. People that were associated with The Marvels and X-Men ’97 have signed on for the mixed-reality project, which means that there are some strong hitters on the EP side of things.
Despite the fact that Marvel has not yet named any actors that would be returning to reprise their roles, it is quite likely that Jeffrey Wright will play The Watcher. For the benefit of those who are not familiar with it, What If…? is an anthology series that investigates parallel universes and how the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have been different if certain events had taken place differently. Apple Vision Pro will be the only device that can play the game or experience, and it will be available “soon.”
Even while this isn’t enough to convince me to part with $3,500, it’s a pretty amazing hint that things are going to be better in the future. Is there anyone who wouldn’t be interested in “playing” an episode of The Mandalorian or something similar?