BBC Studios – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

February 10, 2022

The Green Planet AR Experience Opens its Doors in London Tomorrow

A year ago gmw3 reported on Sir David Attenborough once again lending his narration skills to another immersive project, The Green Planet AR Experience. An in-person augmented reality (AR) experience inspired by the natural history series, tomorrow it’ll open for the first time; located at Piccadilly Circus in London, UK.

A collaborative effort created by Factory 42 with BBC Studios and powered by EE’s 5G network, The Green Planet AR Experience offers guests the chance to wander through six digitally enhanced environments – including rainforests, freshwater and saltwater worlds, and desert landscapes.

Upon entering the experience guests are provided with a 5G-enabled smartphone: “which acts as their dynamic window into the world of plants.” They’ll also get to enjoy the company of a virtual Sir David Attenborough who’ll guide them on this natural history adventure.

“You’ll see that plants can be as aggressive, competitive and dramatic as any living thing on the planet – and how they form intriguing relationships with animals. And you’ll discover why plants are so vital for the future of our planet. Your device is a window into a secret world,” says Sir David Attenborough in a statement.

The Green Planet AR Experience takes around 40-60 minutes is free to attend but tickets are limited, released periodically. There are none available for the initial opening but more tickets will be released on 17th February so make sure to keep an eye out. The entire event runs until 9th March 2022.

The entire project is the work of The Green Planet 5G AR Consortium, made up of six creative, technology and scientific organisations. It was one of nine projects to win £2.2m GBP funding from the UK government’s 5G Create competition backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

For continued updates on the latest AR use cases, keep reading gmw3.

January 13, 2021

Experience David Attenborough’s The Green Planet as a 5G AR App

David Attenborough’s next project The Green Planet, focuses on flora and fauna from across the world and thanks to a new collaborative effort will be turned into an augmented reality (AR) experience.

Led by immersive content studio Factory 42, BBC Studios, mobile network EE, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Talesmith and Dimension Studios have announced The Green Planet 5G AR Consortium to create the AR experience and promote 5G technology.

Awarded £2.2 million GBP as part of the 5G Create competition, the consortium’s AR app will allow you to explore this fascinating subject from the perspective of plants. You’ll be able to use an AR-capable device to nurture rare and exotic plants, observing their behaviour whilst encountering the various animals that live among them.

“The importance of protecting the planet has never been greater and the opportunity to use emerging technologies to engage audiences of all ages in environmental issues in new ways is hugely exciting,” said John Cassy, Founder and CEO, Factory 42 said. “We’re delighted to have pulled together a unique consortium of world-leading organisations and look forward to showing how 5G networks will enhance our everyday lives and our understanding of the world around us.”

“5G Create is about exploring new and inventive ways we can use 5G to give British industries a competitive advantage. This cutting-edge app, fronted by broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough, is set to be an inspiring example of how new technology can reconnect us with the natural world whilst demonstrating the power of 5G to a huge new audience,” said Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure.

As the project is all about showcasing the power of 5G the interactive experience will be available “in a number of set locations” around the UK notes Factory 42. How many and where have yet to be finalised. The Green Planet AR will be released in 2022, plenty of time to get a compatible 5G device.

For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

March 11, 2020

BBC Earth and Magic Leap Bring the Insect World to Life in Micro Kingdoms: Senses

Last year BBC Studios, Preloaded and Magic Leap revealed a collaborative project innovating upon 60 years of storytelling by the BBC Natural History Unit, BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses. If you happen to own a Magic Leap 1 headset the documentary is available today from the Magic Leap store.

BBC Earth - Micro Kingdoms

Mixing spatial computing experience and natural history documentary, BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses is narrated by Stephen Fry, encouraging users to learn about ants and spiders.

Utilising Magic Leap’s mixed reality technology users can examine a Leaf Cutter Ant colony in the tropical rainforests of Central America. And for the really brave who don’t have a fear of eight-legged creatures, they can encounter a Wandering Spider in the Atlantic Forest of Eastern Brazil, with the experience detailing their extraordinary senses which help them survive and thrive.

“Our mission is to inform, educate and entertain. With Micro Kingdoms – Senses and the immersive technology of Magic Leap we’re exploring new ways of engaging audiences with natural history storytelling,” said Tom Burton, Head of Interactive at BBC Studios in a statement.

BBC Earth - Micro Kingdoms “In working with BBC Studios and PRELOADED we have blended the physical and digital world to bring valuable earth ecosystems into any room, giving people the chance to see, hear and feel how these animals live and survive. When we can learn by actually experiencing environments, the potential for empathy and appreciation of new worlds grows exponentially. This is the power of spatial computing,” adds Rio Caraeff, Chief Content Officer at Magic Leap.

BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses was created as part of the Magic Leap Independent Creator Program and follows on from 2018’s BBC Earth: Life in VR for the Lenovo Mirage Solo standalone headset, another collaborative effort between BBC Studios and Preloaded.

Magic Leap 1 isn’t exactly a consumer-focused device as the basic version will still set you back a cool $2,295 USD and can only be purchased from the company’s website. At the moment that means mostly developers and enterprise are the main customers although as this app demonstrates not all the content is business-focused.

Take a look at the app in action below and for further announcements from BBC Studios, Preloaded and Magic Leap, keep reading VRFocus.

February 7, 2020

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Coming to EU Retail Stores for PlayStation VR in March

Long-running sci-fi TV series Doctor Who stepped into the realm of virtual reality (VR) twice in 2019. First via interactive animation Doctor Who: The Runaway and then Doctor Who: The Edge of Time. The latter was the work of British developer Maze Theory, offering fans the best opportunity to step into this richly diverse world across a variety of headsets including PlayStation VR. Today, it’s been announced that Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will be getting a physical release for European territories.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

While the digital version has been available for several months, for those gamers who love a disk-based collection they’ll only need to wait until next month. It’s also been revealed that the physical edition will include a new Quick Play feature allowing fans to jump straight into specific parts of the experience including the Tardis, Dalek Shooter and (if you really want to) come up close and personal with the Weeping Angels.

The videogame was developed in collaboration with BBC Studios, featuring an original story where you and the Doctor have to travel across space and time to save reality. Current Doctor Jodie Whittaker continues to voice the character to retain the TV show’s authenticity, helping you solve puzzles using her trusty sonic screwdriver. With locations ranging from a space-stranded cruiser, Victorian London and an Egyptian temple, there are plenty of easter eggs for you to find.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time When VRFocus reviewed Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, last year we gave the title three stars, commenting: “Parts of the experience are great and showcase high production values – the storyline, locations and acting for instance. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is one for the hardcore fans out there.”

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will see a physical release on 13th March 2020 across European retail locations. No word on a North American release just yet. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory and its VR projects, reporting back with further updates.

January 16, 2020

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Still Scheduled for Oculus Quest Next Week, Valve Index Patch Also Likely

British virtual reality (VR) studio Maze Theory released the highly anticipated Doctor Who: The Edge of Time a couple of months ago for PlayStation VR, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. At the time the studio also confirmed work was ongoing to support other headsets including Oculus Quest. In December just before Christmas the studio tentatively revealed a 23rd January launch date for the standalone headset, which has just been reconfirmed.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

Maze Theory took to Twitter letting fans know work was still on schedule: “We’re still looking good for a 23rd January 2020 launch on @oculus Quest for #edgeoftime – The game promises to be one of the best versions with untethered free movement and many of the recent patch updates and improvements we’ve made.”

And it’s not just Oculus Quest owners that can look forward to that date, it’s looking very likely that a Valve Index patch (possibly a Windows Mixed Reality one to) will arrive the same day as the developer responded to a comment: “Working with Index users on it at the moment. Will likely be out the same time.”

Developed in collaboration with BBC Studios Doctor Who: The Edge of Time features an original story where you and the Doctor have to travel across space and time to save reality. Current Doctor Jodie Whittaker continues to voice the character to retain the TV show’s authenticity, helping you solve puzzles using her trusty sonic screwdriver. With locations ranging from a space-stranded cruiser, Victorian London and an Egyptian temple, you’ll encounter some of Doctor Who’s most famous enemies, such as the Daleks and the Weeping Angels.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

Reviewing Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, VRFocus gave the title three stars, commenting: “Parts of the experience are great and showcase high production values – the storyline, locations and acting for instance. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is one for the hardcore fans out there.”

When Doctor Who: The Edge of Time arrives for Oculus Quest it’ll also support cross-buy with Oculus Rift, so fans don’t need to buy it again. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with all the latest updates.

November 11, 2019

Launch Trailer Arrives for Doctor Who: The Edge of Time

After a little delay Maze Theory will be launching one of the longest-running TV shows as a virtual reality (VR) experience tomorrow, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time. Offering a multiplatform release for fans to the show, today, the studio has unveiled the launch trailer, teasing further details about the experience.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

Unlike Doctor Who: The Runaway which was a short interactive animation, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is a feature-length VR experience. With an original story where both you and the Doctor have to travel across space and time to save reality, you get to see more of the locations you’ll be travelling to. Whether that’s escaping from a space-stranded cruiser, visiting Victorian London or exploring an Egyptian temple, Maze Theory promises lots to see and do.

You’ll be able to step inside the TARDIS and operate its controls, pilot a Dalek shell to harness its deadly weaponry, and wield the Sonic Screwdriver to solve elaborate puzzles. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will also leave your heart racing as you come face to face with the terrifying Weeping Angels.

Featuring countless references to the show and its 55-year history, Maze Theory has worked closely with BBC Studios to bring Doctor Who: The Edge of Time whilst retaining the TV shows’ authenticity. Jodie Whittaker continues to play the role of the Doctor while Nicholas Briggs voices the Daleks, the videogame will have plenty of Doctor Who easter eggs to find along the way for eagle-eyed fans.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will launch on 12th November 2019 supporting PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, with an Oculus Quest version coming in December. In addition to the home VR experience, Maze Theory has created a streamlined location-based entertainment (LBE) edition. This will be arriving on 23rd November – Doctor Who Day – via content distribution platforms; Synthesis VR, SpringboardVR, Ctrl V and Vive Arcade, so plenty of arcades worldwide should have access to it.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with the latest updates including its next title based on another TV show, Peaky Blinders.

October 31, 2019

An Arcade Version of Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Coming to VR Locations on ‘Doctor Who Day’

Doctor Who: Edge of Time is due for release across various virtual reality (VR) headsets in less than two weeks. Today, developer Maze Theory has confirmed its been working on a location-based entertainment (LBE) version in tandem, with a plan to release it in VR arcades at the end of November.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

Maze Theory, in conjunction with BBC Studios and publisher PlayStack, has partnered with several content distribution platforms; Synthesis VR, SpringboardVR, Ctrl V and Vive Arcade to make Doctor Who: Edge of Time available in more than 100 arcades worldwide, located across the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time will be a special customised version of the home videogame, featuring three modified levels for an action-packed 20-minute experience. They’ll be able to explore the iconic TARDIS, come face-to-face with Weeping Angels and pilot a Dalek through a shooting sequence, fighting against drones and other aliens from the franchise.

“As we’ve been making the feature-length game, we have engaged with fans who are desperate to try it out,” said Maze Theory CEO, Ian Hambleton in a statement. “Our aim is to make it possible for anyone, including those that don’t have VR, to step inside the show, collude with the Doctor and experience first-hand what it’s like to pilot the TARDIS and come face-to-face with the show’s terrifying monsters and aliens.

“We firmly believe VR is the future of entertainment as it offers unparalleled opportunities for people to immerse themselves in incredible adventures. It’s truly mind-blowing – if a little terrifying in parts!”

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

“We’re excited that from 23rd November, Doctor Who Day, fans will be able to enjoy an arcade version of Edge of Time in VR arcades around the world. Whilst the full game will be widely available for those with VR headsets the arcade version will let anyone try the experience,” adds Bradley Crooks, Global Head of Games & Interactive at BBC Studios.

For those who own a VR headset Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will launch on 12th November for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos. As VRFocus reported last week, the Oculus Quest version has been delayed until December. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

September 13, 2019

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Playable at London Vive Cosmos Event

Yesterday HTC Vive announced that its next headset, the Vive Cosmos is now available to pre-order ahead of its official launch in October. The help promote the device in the UK, HTC has teamed up with BBC Studios for an event where the public can get their hands-on Vive Cosmos and play Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.

Doctor Who: Edge of Time

The event will take place at Hackney’s Protein Studios on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September, giving fans of the series a chance to step into the famous Tardis. Produced by Maze Theory for BBC Studios, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time puts you in the role of the Doctor’s assistant, helping to pilot the temperamental spacecraft on an adventure to solve the mystery behind the ‘Reality Virus’.

Featuring iconic monsters from the TV programme including the Daleks and the Weeping Angels, players will also encounter new monsters as they battle to solve puzzles armed with the Sonic Screwdriver, all in a bid to save the universe. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is slated for a September launch for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive and of course Vive Cosmos when it arrives.

Vive Cosmos will be the premium product offering from HTC Vive, retailing for £699 GBP/$699 USD. Scheduled to arrive on 3rd October, the headset boasts inside-out tracking thanks to six cameras, a combined resolution of 2880×1770 (1440×1700 per-eye), hinged front to easily drop in and out of VR and a removable front faceplate. When in place the vented front allows for air circulation plus it can also be changed for other mods, such as the External Tracking Mod to make it SteamVR tracking compatible.

Vive Cosmos

Full details for the event are as follows:

Dates: Friday 27^th September between 10.30am – 7pm and Saturday 28^th September 2019 10am – 4pm
How much: Free to attend
How: Members of the public can sign up for a slot on Ticket Source via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/htcvive
Where: Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, Hackney, London EC2A 3EY
Nearest tube: 10 min walk from Old Street underground station or 5 min walk from Shoreditch High Street Overground station
Please note: Players must be aged 12+

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Vive Cosmos and Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, reporting back with the latest updates.

August 1, 2019

Explore Mother Nature’s Micro Kingdoms With Magic Leap and BBC Earth Later This Year

In 2018 BBC Studios and videogame developer PRELOADED teamed up with Google for a virtual reality (VR) experience called BBC Earth: Life in VR for Google Daydream. For 2019, the pair have now collaborated with Magic Leap on a mixed reality (MR) project called BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses.

Magic Leap

For this experience, BBC Studios Natural History Unit and PRELOADED will give users the opportunity to explore microhabitats from the natural world and interact with them. Come face to face with ants that can carry many times their own body weight, or for the brave how about everyone’s favourite eight-legged, eight eyed friend, the spider.

As this is on Magic Leap that means all sorts of creepy crawlies running around your living, using the devices spatial qualities to reveal the invisible senses that guide their behaviour and help them survive. BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses has been made possible thanks to funding by the Magic Leap Independent Creator Program.

“We’re pleased to welcome PRELOADED & BBC Studios to the Magic Leap Independent Creator Program, and are looking forward to working with their team to facilitate their launch into our diverse ecosystem of experiences,” said Rio Caraeff, Chief Content Officer, Magic Leap, in a statement. “Together, we’re innovating the next generation of computing and entertainment, and valued Creators such as PRELOADED & BBC Studios are crucial to defining that future.”

BBC microsite header graphic 1-1

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Preloaded to bring our joint interactive and creative skills to such an exciting new platform and technology. Our natural history team has always used new technologies to tell stories and BBC Earth has brought these innovations to new and established audiences to engage them with the natural world. Mixed Reality and the Magic Leap spatial computing platform presents us with exciting new possibilities to achieve these goals,” Head of Digital Entertainment & Games for BBC Studios, Bradley Crooks commented.

BBC Earth – Micro Kingdoms: Senses for Magic Leap will arrive later this year, scheduled for Fall 2019. While BBC Earth: Life in VR for Google Daydream was fairly easy to view thanks to the budget-friendly device, Magic Leap One is an altogether different experience. Magic Leap has made the headset easier to purchase but the basic version will still set you back $2,295 USD. For further updates on the project, keep reading VRFocus.

July 15, 2019

Step inside the TARDIS During San Diego Comic-Con With Doctor Who: The Edge of Time

In May, British developer Maze Theory revealed work on a virtual reality (VR) project for one of the BBC’s biggest IP’s Doctor Who. Called Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, Oculus and BBC Studios have announced today that fans of the TV series in the US will be able to demo the videogame during the San Diego Comic-Con 2019 this week.

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time

To mark the announcement Maze Theory and publisher PlayStack have released several screenshots showcasing the inside of the iconic TARDIS, as well as a brand-new title sequence created just for Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.

Working in close collaboration with BBC Studios, Maze Theory is looking to create the most authentic and lifelike version of the TARDIS in a videogame to date, taking painstaking attention to every detail. Not only will fans be able to step into this accurate portrayal of the TARDIS, exploring every nook and cranny, but they’ll also have the chance to co-pilot the Doctor’s time-travelling craft.

The team brought the TARDIS to life in a process using photogrammetry taking over 1200 hours, travelling to the Doctor Who set in Cardiff taking hundreds of photographs to create an accurate digital reference. Thanks to this process all of the controls are true to the show, with the infamous custard cream biscuit dispenser also making an appearance.

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time

“The TARDIS is a very important and hugely iconic element of the show and Doctor Who: The Edge of Time offers the chance to experience it like never before,” said Maze Theory’s Creative Director Marcus Moresby in a statement. “It’s been a huge undertaking to deliver the very best TARDIS experience and is much anticipated by fans of the show. We know they’re going to love it.”

Starting this Thursday, 18th July and running through to Sunday, 21st July, the San Diego Comic-Con is the largest event of its kind in the US. Doctor Who: Edge of Time is scheduled to arrive in September 2019, supporting PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive and Vive Cosmos headsets. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with further updates on the videogame.