Figment Products Announced Next Generation Virtual Reality Experience

Figment Productions have announced that following several years of developing virtual reality (VR) content for use in the leisure industry, what it considers to be the ultimate, next generation, immersive experience, codenamed Project Helix.

The company, which is based just outside London along with an office in Orlando, Florida, have worked on some world famous location-based VR experiences including Galactica at Alton Towers, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train at Thorpe Park and The Great LEGO Race at LEGOLAND parks around the world to name a few. With a team of content producers and creative technologists with nearly 150 interactive attractions around the globe Figment have proven themselves to be masters of their craft and now they claim to have created the ultimate hybrid immersive experience for the leisure sector.

Project Helix is being kept under wraps for now, but some of the details that Figment have shared for now reveal that is features multi-user, tactile, free-roaming VR coupled with interactive props and environments. However, aside from high quality content that breaks away from the current trend of free-roaming VR, gun-focused shoot-em-ups and zombie experiences, Figment have stressed the importance of the multi-user aspect which will feature realistic avatars of players.

“Over the years we’ve learned a huge amount from our clients who operate theme parks and visitor attractions,” said Simon Reveley, CEO of Figment. “We understand the importance of getting the throughput model right and the essential component of a shared, social experience. Previously, VR has struggled to deliver on that but the technology is evolving and so are our software solutions. At Figment, we’ve developed a system that allows us to scan guests and create realistic avatars for them almost instantly. Once they put on their high-end PC backpacks and high-resolution VR headsets, they’re able to see each other in the virtual world, to talk and interact. It’s a step change in how we experience VR.”

Harry Potter Diagon Alley

Reveley went on to comment on whether the content would be original or licensed saying: “Over the years we’ve been trusted to create content for brands like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Vodafone and Volvo, as well as entertainment IPs like LEGO and Harry Potter. Hopefully that tells you that with both original and licensed IP, the quality of the content will be superior to what the market’s currently used to. Also, we have some incredible partners lined up who I am desperate to talk about. It’s an incredibly exciting time for us. I can’t wait to share more news in the coming months.”

For now, Figment are keeping Project Helix close to the table but will license the system to customers in the leisure industry alongside operating their own sites with the first locations planned to open in Q1 2019. Until then, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on Project Helix from Figment so stay tuned for more.