The First Class VR – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

December 24, 2017

Competition: Win A Copy Of The First Class VR With VRFocus

The old saying goes that it is better to give than to receive. Well if that’s true good news for us at VRFocus I guess, as we’ve got a giveaway for you to get invovled in that’ll be taking place over the Christmas period.

Have you ever wanted to fly? Of course there was a time when humans could not and did not fly. Such an idea was preposterous. If humans were meant to fly we’d’ve been born with wings – which is unsurprisingly where we as a species started looking when we decided to use our intellect and ingenuity to join the birds in the sky. The journey humanity subsequently made to take flight, cross oceans and even touch the stars is quite the fascinating tale. With triumphs beyond measure and disasters of the most terrible. Both joy and tragedy coming in equal measure but never stopping that drive to go higher.

As we explained in our preview of The First Class VR, earlier this year, “The First Class VR mixes interactive elements with narration and bold imagery to tell the tale of human flight, taking those first steps in balloons, through powered flight and then onto space exploration. And it’s in space where the experience begins, looking down on planet earth before activating a console that starts things off.”

To celebrate the launch of the title, as well as the coming of the holiday period we’ve got three codes for The First Class VR to give away, courtesy of publishers Zodiac Interactive.

What do you have to do to enter? Well, you get a vote for every one of the following actions below: Be a follower of us on Twitter or by visiting our Facebook and Google+ pages – I mean, you should probably like/follow us whilst you’re there to stay up to date on everything VR and AR related, right?

The competition is a relatively short one. It’s open now, Christmas Eve 2017 until the end of Boxing Day, that’s the end of the day UK time on Tuesday December 26th 2017. Please note that owing to the holiday season winners will be drawn in 2018 following the New Year celebrations. Best of luck to all.

Win A Copy Of The First Class VR

December 1, 2017

The First Class VR Gets HTC Vive Release Date

Have you ever considered what it’s like to fly? In terms of human history, we have, as a species defied gravity for only a fraction of our time on this planet and yet the ability to take to the air has evolved swiftly. Moving from the briefest of trips above the ground conducted by the Wright Brothers, to great passenger airlines, supersonic jets and even the ability to leave the Earth altogether.

Last month we brought you news of The First Class VR, a new cinematic virtual reality (VR) experience from Chinese independent developer Zodiac Interactive which features around moments in time where man took flight. From the aforementioned first flight of the Wright Brothers up past the present with journeys into space courtesy of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX. Not only that The First Class VR dips into myth and legend with the story of Icarus and even past this into what the future might be envisioned as.

Zodiac Interactive has now confirmed that the title, which is coming out with support for the HTC Vive, will now go live on Steam as of December 14th 2017.

“We wanted to push the envelope with the future of interactive cinematic storytelling and I think The First Class VR does just that.” Explained An Pu, the Lead Creative Producer at Light & Digital Technology. “The story you will experience is inspired by the Hugo Awards Best Novel Winner the Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. We feel very honoured that the author Cixin Liu played the game and gave it his blessing.”

VRFocus recently previewed The First Class VR, and found that whilst it was impressive in some areas it felt very much like a mixed bag. As VRFocus’ Peter Graham explained:

“The First Class VR feels somewhat disjointed, like it’s trying too hard to cram lots of information in over a short period of time. There are sequences that step into the bizarre and almost surreal, giant statues looming in the distance, panels and floors that change and then disappear as you move to a new area, and caves twinkling with fireflies that are filled with different spacecraft like the Saturn V rocket or the Sputnik satellite, all whilst sat in a Huey helicopter.”

VRFocus will bring you more news on the title as we get it.

November 23, 2017

Preview: The First Class VR – Edutainment That Shoots for the Stars yet Struggles to Take Flight

Entertainment is the mainstay of virtual reality (VR), whether that’s through videogames, immersive films, 360-degree video and more. Yet it can be used for far more than that, possessing the means to enthral users in virtual worlds that can educate and teach, from learning about the solar system, or the history of mankind, to the creatures that inhabit the earth or the plight of an ecosystem. Chinese developer Light & Digital Technology has chosen a seminal moment in the history of human technological evolution as its first VR experience, teaching viewers about mankind’s desire to fly and head out amongst the stars.

The First Class VR mixes interactive elements with narration and bold imagery to tell the tale of human flight, taking those first steps in balloons, through powered flight and then onto space exploration. And it’s in space where the experience begins, looking down on planet earth before activating a console that starts things off.

For the most part this is an experience where you watch and listen, taking in some of the intricate design work that makes up the undulating scenery as it whisks you from one innovation to the next. At one point you find yourself on a beach with the Wright Brothers plane as the narrator talks about the simple ideology of wanting to fly. Next you’re on a battlefield in WW2, bombers flying overhead, looking at how planes became a tool of war and destruction.

Whilst certainly impressive in areas, The First Class VR feels somewhat disjointed, like it’s trying too hard to cram lots of information in over a short period of time. There are sequences that step into the bizarre and almost surreal, giant statues looming in the distance, panels and floors that change and then disappear as you move to a new area, and caves twinkling with fireflies that are filled with different spacecraft like the Saturn V rocket or the Sputnik satellite, all whilst sat in a Huey helicopter.

The Huey section is particularly interesting though as you have to grab a rope that’s flung down to you, then you’re winched up. At which point The First Class VR tells you to sit on the edge so you’re feet are dangling out. So you’re left with a decision, continue standing as the experience requires prior and after this section, sit on the floor, or for the very dedicated grab a chair which will likely mean removal of the headset. As mentioned, disjointed in parts.

Then there are points where far more work seems to have been put in than others. Certain water sections just seem to be a slab of blue, with little texture or definition. While the interior of the helicopter is beautifully detailed.

At the end of the ‘ride’ you then find yourself in a museum of sorts. Where you can teleport around looking at the individual vehicles that appeared, alongside information points for further details. For kids looking to learn the basics about human flight The First Class VR does an admiral job. It’s not going to greatly appeal to gamers per se but it does showcase how engaging VR can be as a teaching instrument, even with the slightly ropey Chinese to English translation. VRFocus will be interested to see how Light & Digital Technology continue development on The First Class VR and expand upon the concept.

November 8, 2017

A Trip Through Aviation and Space Travel With The First Class VR

The journey that humankind has made to reach the stars is a fascinating one, covering both triumph and disaster, joy and tragedy. Zodiac Interactive are seeking to explore that history by taking viewers on a virtual reality (VR) tour of air and space exploration.

Expected to be released in December 2017 on Steam for the HTC Vive, The First Class VR is designed to be an interactive journey through history that puts players front and centre for significant events in the history of manned flight and space exploration. Players will get to experience the first flight of the Wright brother’s biplane, and travel through history to see the start of Elon Musk’s Space X project, and then into the world of scientific speculation on what technologies could lie ahead as humankind looks to Mars and beyond.

The title is being developed by Light and Digital Technology, a Chinese company best known for its digital effects work, having previously produced visual effects for the London Olympic Games in 2012 and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Zodiac Interactive are acting as publisher.

“Our initial purpose is to explore the possibility of storytelling using VR technology. We realized that by encouraging the viewers’ movement while watching our video, it enhances the sensory understanding of the content we created throughout this project,” said An Pu, Lead Creative Producer at Light & Digital Technology. “The story is inspired by the Hugo Awards Best Novel Winner The Three-Body Problem. We feel privileged that the author Cixin Liu played and praised the game. The original team is working unremittingly on the sequel. The title will be announced in the beginning of 2018.”

Further information and updates on The First Class VR can be found on the Steam Store Page. The developers are already seeking suggestions and feedback on what users would like to see.

VRFocus will continue to report on new and upcoming VR titles.