We can’t stop adapting media to other forms. Whether it’s turning comic books into movies, movies into novels or completely new versions entirely, there’s a history of adapting our favourite media into as many versions as possible so everyone can enjoy it in their favourite format. But while we’ve seen media slowly move into the world of virtual reality (VR) we haven’t seen many novels being adapted. Well, the Goethe Institute, Prague, has adapted the legendary Franz Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis is an experience you can have for yourself as you step into the shoes of its protagonist.
Following Gregor Samsa, you’ll wake up late for work but also, somewhat more concerning, you’ll wake up as a giant insect. In the VR experience you’ll be able to explore his bedroom, his books, belongings, documents and more, all brought to life in VR with HTC Vive head-mounted displays (HMDs).
Czech teams Achtung 4K and 4Each both helped create the project with art and animations and interactive objects, under the direction of Mika Johnson. The experience will be voice acted in German, English and Czech, to immerse speakers of the languages in the world of Kafka’s legendary novella.
Jakob Ráček is Goethe Institute’s Head of Programming, and he said of the experience; “The fantastic three-dimensional installation presents this original work of world literature in virtual reality, in which you – rather than Gregor Samsa – are the protagonist. We have created a miniature version of Gregor’s room from The Metamorphosis and will transport visitors into the room thanks to VR glasses. Visitors can then get a first-hand experience of what it is like to be transformed into an insect.”
You can enjoy the VR experience and more for yourself by visiting the Goethe Institute in Prague for yourself, and you can see a trailer for the experience embedded below. The promise of being able to come closer to our favourite worlds and stories is an incredibly interesting one, and we hope to get more experiences like this in the near future. For all of the latest news on VR adaptations and experiences, stay on VRFocus.