Since Samsung released their virtual reality unit, the Samsung Gear VR, it has started to attract some interesting partnerships and offer equally interesting content. It was only at the weekend that it was reported the Gear VR was partnering with the NBA to bring exclusive All-Star content to VR customers, through Samsung’s dedicated media outlet, Milk VR. The NBA partnership was particularly important as it represented a high-profile partnership, suggesting the type of content VR owners could expect in the future.
Well, a few days after the NBA announcement and the latest news is that Samsung have now also partnered with movie studio, Lionsgate, to bring more exclusive content to the Gear VR. This time, the content is in conjunction with the release of the upcoming Lionsgate movie, Insurgent. For those unfamiliar with the movie, this is the sequel following on from the Divergent movie which landed back in 2014. As such, this is the next movie in the Divergent Series. In terms of the partnership, Samsung and Lionsgate have teamed up to bring to VR units what is being dubbed “Insurgent – Shatter Reality”. This will come in the form of a four minute, fully immersive, 360-degree “narrative experience”.
The Shatter Reality content will be set in the Insurgent world and will also feature a number of the stars from the movie including Kate Winslet, Miles Teller and Mekhi Phifer. According to the announcement (source link below), “By putting on the Gear VR headset, consumers are immersed in the role of “Divergent” members of society who have been captured by Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet) and her Erudite faction and are subjected to a series of mental “simulations” in order to determine the full extent of their divergence.” The content will offer two distinct and intensely gripping ‘fearscapes’ consisting of a crumbling Chicago skyscraper and a fast-approaching locomotive.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, then the Insurgent-Shatter Reality content will be on tour from February 27th in major cities across the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin and San Francisco. Following on from the tour cities, the content will be available for VR owners beginning March 1st and again available through Milk VR. For those who live outside the tour cities and yet to pick up the Gear VR, then today’s announcements also states, those interested will be able to experience the Insurgent content in select Best Buy stores over the March 7th/8th weekend. What do you think? Do you like the recently announced partners Samsung are teaming with for VR? Who would you like to see Samsung team up with next? Let us know.