Category: viacom next

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Viacom Next VR Studio has now Closed

It’s always a sad day when a virtual reality (VR) closes its doors, yet no company is ever totally immune. VRFocus has seen it happen with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) Guerrilla Cambridge in January 2017 and Oculus Story Studio a few months later. This week another VR company has ceased to be, Viacom Next, the VR division which spear headed several unique and novel experiences.

chocolate-11

Viacom Next was well known through various projects over the last few years, having worked with two-time GRAMMY Award winning artist William Patrick Corgan (aka Billy Corgan) on an VR experience for his new single Aeronaut, Withdrawal by Atlantic Records recording artist Max Frost, The Melody of Dust by Hot Sugar, and Smash Party VR for HTC Vive in conjunction with Titmouse and many more.

The closure was first announced by the studios creative director David Liu on Twitter, with Liu saying: “Sad to say that Viacom NEXT is no more. Our super talented devs, artists and designers are looking for a new home if you’re hiring. Please DM me.”

Then a spokesperson issued the following statement reports Variety: “We remain deeply committed to developing immersive experiences for consumers through groundbreaking augmented and virtual reality. As part of our efforts to coordinate Viacom’s approach to next-generation platforms and solutions across our brands, we are absorbing Viacom NEXT into our Global Emerging Opportunities Group.  A number of Viacom NEXT’s creators and engineers will join this group, however a small number of employee positions have been affected. We appreciate these colleagues’ contributions and are making every effort to assist them through benefits and support, including severance and outplacement assistance.”

Smash Party VR screenshot 2

It’s all part of a cost cutting move by Viacom, which has seen almost 100 employees laid off across multiple divisions.

Check out some of the experiences mentioned to see the legacy Viacom Next leaves behind, and if Viacom does plan on supporting VR in the future, VRFocus will let you know.

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Viacom Shutters VR Studio Viacom Next in Cost-cutting Move

Viacom Next, the company’s technology group tasked with producing immersive experiences, is no longer. David Liu, former Creative Director at Next, announced the news via twitter.

As reported by Variety, around 100 employees have been laid off across multiple Viacom divisions in what Variety describes as a “cost-cutting move.”

Next will be absorbed into the company’s Global Emerging Opportunities Group. The team consisted of over a dozen employees, some of whom will join this group. Viacom says a small number of employee positions have been affected, although its uncertain the exact number.

Viacom Next produced projects such as Tyler Hurd’s VR experience Chocolate (2017), Hot Sugar’s VR album The Melody of Dust (2017), and most recently Transformers: Cade’s Junkyard, an AR experience using AR Kit.

The studio was founded by Chaki Ng in December 2015. Since mid-2016, the group has produced a total of 8 AR/VR experiences.

The post Viacom Shutters VR Studio Viacom Next in Cost-cutting Move appeared first on Road to VR.

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Viacom’s VR/AR Division, Viacom Next, Closed Down

A screenshot from Chocolate

Media giant Viacom has closed down its VR and AR division, Viacom Next.

This week, reports surfaced that the company, which owns brands like Nickelodeon and MTV, would be making a number of layoffs as part of its restructuring, with a potential merger with CBS on the table. UploadVR understands that Viacom Next, which was established in 2015 and has worked on multiple projects for both VR and AR, has been shuttered as part of the move.

News comes by way of Creative Director, David Shiyang Liu, who yesterday emailed various members of the industry with the following message:

As of a few hours ago, Viacom NEXT is no more.

But look at what we did in two years. Holy crap – we were everywhere, from The White House with an MTV Tilt Brush Art Show, through to Sundance and SXSW with Tyler Hurd; to helping Isaac Cohen make his dreams; and through to helping Paramount and the VMAs with getting Bumblebee and the Moonman into homes everywhere. There’s more than I can type right now, and we were only just getting started too.

To all my friends in VR, thanks for everything. The medium is shining brighter than ever and I urge you to keep fighting the good fight and kicking ass. I’m thankful that we were able to dance with you at all.

In the coming days I’ll probably be taking some time off with family as I figure out next steps for myself and my team. If you’re looking to hire some kickass VR devs, designers, and artists, please let me know. They’ll definitely be keen to speak with you!

A later tweet further confirmed the news.

We’ve reached out to Viacom to confirm the news and ask how many staff have been affected.

Viacom Next’s work included several VR projects, like frantic smashing game, Smash Party, and Tyler Hurd’s most recent surreal VR music video, Chocolate. Late last year the studio also released an AR app tying into the Transformers movie franchise.

This is the latest in a string of high-profile VR studio closures over the past few months. Back in January we reported that VR production studio Future Lighthouse was shutting down and last October EVE: Valkyrie developer CCP Games ended its work in VR.

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Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan Creates VR experience for new Single “Aeronaut”

Musicians have been experimenting with virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video for the last couple of years now with the latest to utilise the technology being ex-frontman for Smashing Pumpkins, two-time GRAMMY Award winning artist William Patrick Corgan (aka Billy Corgan).

Corgan collaborated with teams from Isobar and Viacom NEXT alongside San Francisco based filmmaker and VR artist Danny Bittman to create an immersive VR experience for his new single Aeronaut off the recently released solo album Ogilala.

Billy Corgan Aeronaut

The teams created a hologram of Corgan using Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture technology, capturing his three-and-a-half-minute performance in volumetric video at Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Capture Studios. They then used Unity and Google Tilt Brush to create a world around him.

“Aeronaut was a thrilling collaboration, bringing together innovators from across the VR industry to realize an incredible artistic vision. We’re honoured to bring this experience to life, and help connect audiences to Mr. Corgan’s music unlike ever before,” said Chaki Ng, Senior Vice President and Head of Viacom NEXT in a statement.

“Orchestrating this entire venture has been nothing short of inspiring,” commented Dave Meeker, VP, Isobar US. “This project allowed us the opportunity to bring together some of the most technical and creative minds in the industry to help us realize Corgan’s vision. When we first sat down with Billy over a year ago, we had only imagined an experience where we could bring all these players to the table. The collaborative spirit that has driven the making of this video is a testament to the excitement we all have for the future of immersive experiences.”

To begin with BMG Records, Isobar and Viacom NEXT have released a 2D version of the music video (seen below) for Corgan fans to watch right away. The actual VR version will initially be made publicly available in early 2018 for Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality headsets, with additional versions for other systems to follow.

Viacom NEXT has created a few music videos in its time, having collaborated with musician Hot Sugar on The Melody of Dust or how about premiering music experience Withdrawal by Atlantic Records recording artist Max Frost at Microsoft Build earlier this year.

As more musicians delve into the world of VR music videos, VRFocus will let you know.

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AR Aquarium Builder ARQUA! Comes to Apple’s App Store

Apple iPhone and iPad users have been able to enjoy plenty of new augmented reality (AR) apps since iOS 11 arrived several weeks ago. One of the latest experiences to come to the platform is a relaxing aquarium builder called ARQUA!

Designed by indie 3D artist Isaac “Cabbibo” Cohen in collaboration with Viacom NEXT, ARQUA!  enables players to digitally overlap animated aquatic features (such as fish, coral, kelp) on their real world surroundings, creating a customised rainbow aquarium that is interactive and shareable.

ARQUA screenshot 2

Once the aquarium is created, players can then explore their creation; teasing fish, tickling kelp, and twisting crystals. When a new day begins it all starts again, creating another psychedelic wonderland.

Developed using Apple’s new ARKit app ARQUA! is available through Apple’s App Store for $0.99 USD.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of ARKit apps, reporting back with the latest releases.

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Viacom NEXT Premieres VR Music Video ‘Withdrawal’ at Microsoft Build 2017

The annual Microsoft Build conference began yesterday with CEO Satya Nadella hosting a keynote address revealing some of the company’s plans for the future. But there’s more to Build 2017 than the keynote with plenty of session and demos taking place. Viacom NEXT, the emerging entertainment technology arm of Viacom, is there premiering a virtual reality (VR) music experience by Atlantic Records recording artist Max Frost for his song Withdrawal. 

Using Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture technology, the video enables fans to watch photorealistic holographs of Frost whilst he sings and plays multiple instruments simultaneously in an immersive, underwater environment.

Withdrawal Screen-Shot-2017_1

About the experience Frost said in a statement: “It was fun to work with Viacom and Microsoft to create this interactive fan experience for Withdrawal. Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Capture technology allowed us to blow past current 360˚ videos to produce an awesome VR music experience.”

“Withdrawal opens the door to a new medium of music and performance; it’s a first look at the future of music-based VR content. Using Microsoft technology we can now create even more immersive worlds for audiences to explore and enjoy. Withdrawal is one more milestone in Viacom’s continued collaboration with pioneering artists and innovators to produce a new generation of personalized experiences for audiences around the world,” added Chaki Ng, senior vice president, Viacom NEXT.

Withdrawal is the latest immersive experience from Viacom NEXT. In February the company showcased Hot Sugar’s The Melody of Dust at the SXSW Film Festival. During 2016 other productions include Chocolate by animator Tyler Hurd and a collaboration with animation studio Titmouse on Smash Party VR, a videogame released for the HTC Vive headset.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Viacom NEXT, reporting back with the latest updates.

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VR Music Album The Melody of Dust Now Available for HTC Vive

During the SXSW Film Festival and its accompanying SXSW Virtual Cinema event Viacom NEXT and musician Hot Sugar debuted a virtual reality (VR) music video called The Melody of Dust. Today the experience launches on Steam for HTC Vive users worldwide.

The interactive experience requires users to unlock the melodies in The Melody of Dust. Exploring an ethereal castle they are  invited to pick up items such as a rose, dove or champagne bottle, that have a sound emanating from them. A unique melody will play when three or more different objects are thrown into reactive vortex (more than 80 total melodies can be discovered). Eventually the vortex erupts, revealing the title track from Hot Sugar.

The Melody Of Dust image 2

“The atmospheric fantasy world in The Melody of Dust allows you to confirm that any object in the universe is a musical instrument, whether we know how to play it or not,” said Nick Koenig, also known as Hot Sugar.

“The Melody of Dust truly is the first of its kind deconstructed VR music experience,” said Chaki Ng, SVP Viacom NEXT. “What makes The Melody of Dust unique is the whole experience is ‘the song.’ We believe this is a glimpse of what the future of music could look and feel like as you literally step into the mind of a musician and create your own score.”

The Melody of Dust music VR experience from Viacom NEXT and musician Hot Sugar is now available at a discounted price of $2.99 USD on Steam for the HTC Vive. Then from 17th April, The Melody of Dust will cost $4.99.

Viacom NEXT was worked on several VR productions which include Chocolate created by Tyler Hurd debuting at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, and Smash Party VR, a HTC Vive videogame developed in partnership with animation studio Titmouse.

Checkout the new launch trailer below, and for further Viacom NEXT updates keep reading VRFocus.

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Preview: VR Music Video ‘Chocolate’ by Director Tyler Hurd is a Slice of Pure Psychedelic Joy

VR music videos seem to be digging out a sweet spot of quick and fun VR experiences that use the depth of virtual reality to immerse viewers in music with powerful and impossible visuals. Chocolate, a new VR music video directed by Tyler Hurd, furthers the case for VR music videos with electro-kittens, masked dancers, and champagne.

Based on a song of the same name by electronic artist Giraffage, Chocolate turns the viewer into a metallic tri-legged robot with wobbly fingers that are oddly satisfying to shake. You’ll start out staring at your new robo-self in a mirror, and once you get passed your wiggly fingers, you’ll see that your three legs animate in a convincingly creepy way as you move about the virtual space. Indeed, this is a semi-interactive experience that’s rendered in real-time.

After you get a feel for your robo-body, the song starts and a psychedelic landscape surrounds you, complete with rolling neon hills and a troupe of masked dancers surrounding a giant mirror that you’re standing on. The dancers are wearing oversized Mayan-like masks with cat faces, and groove to the music in unison around you.

As Giraffage’s smooth and cheerful beat sets in and the dancers get to shaking their hips, it’s clear that Chocolate represents a successful departure in animation style from director Tyler Hurd’s prior VR works. BUTTS (2015) and Old Friend (2016) featured decidedly exaggerated and comedic animations that Hurd says were inspired by the likes of Ren and Stimpy (1991-93). Chocolate, on the other hand, takes a somewhat more realistic approach. The art style is still cartoonish by most measures, but the animations assume a more choreographed look that relies less on absurd body language and more on movements that speak to the beat.

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The dancers are just the start of the fun. A short while into the song and a tingle in your robo-hands hands causes you to look down just in time to see them transform into cannon-hands that shoot out metallic kittens. Yes, you shoot metallic kittens from your robo-kitten-cannon-hands. And it’s great.

As the kittens fly through the air, everything goes slow motion on queue with the beat as all the airborne kittens turn to you with their huge eyes and sing out the electronic melody in unison. You’ll go through a few kitten-cannon blasts before an interlude has the distant hills dancing like trippy rolling waves. And that’s when the floating cat heads and giant cat kings arrive… but I’ll leave it at that for now.

Immersed in all the action (literally the focal point of the whole setup), it’s hard not to want to clap your hands to the beat and groove with the dancers. Chocolate feels like a success in that it got me moving, kept my attention for the three minute song duration, and now I’m bumping to the original track as I write this article. But I’m excited to see Hurd and other pioneering VR music video directors take the interactivity to the next level.

Aside from getting to choose which direction to fire the kitten-cannons, and getting to look at my wobbly fingers, the experience wasn’t significantly interactive. I want to get deeper into the music by influencing or contributing to it in some way. At a minimum, it would have been great to have my own sound effect when clapping so that I could add my own beat to the song. 3D audio also would have formed a greater level of immersion by connecting the audio to the virtual objects that are supposed to be emitting it (like the singing kittens).

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Taking things further, some very light gamification (a skilled kitten shot through a hoop?) could have scored me an extra layer to the song, or perhaps given me access to an instrument as wild and creative as the robo-body I was already inhabiting. Or let me make up the dance moves while the dancers follow, like a choreographed call-and-response.

The music and the visuals already convey an urge to dance, now let me play with it all in a way that can only be done in VR.

This sort of interactivity will require a deeper collaboration between the director of the music video and the song’s artist, but it feels like the natural next step if the goal is to immerse the viewer both visually and sonically. Chocolate shows me that we’re getting there.

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chocolate vr music video (3)Executively produced by Viacom NEXT, Chocolate is making its debut at the Sundance Film Festival this week at the New Frontier VR Palace. The experience is built for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and will launch publicly in the first half of 2017. The creators have teased additional platform support in the future, likely coming to mobile platforms as a static 360 degree video.

The post Preview: VR Music Video ‘Chocolate’ by Director Tyler Hurd is a Slice of Pure Psychedelic Joy appeared first on Road to VR.

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‘Smash Party VR’ Is Just Asking You To Break Your Vive

‘Smash Party VR’ Is Just Asking You To Break Your Vive

Any Vive owner knows that the controllers can take a beating. Swing them into a thin wall, TV, or human and the wand itself usually walks away unscathed while you’ll be left with hundreds of dollars in repairs/medical bills for whatever it hits.

With that in mind, I would still exercise extreme caution when playing Smash Party VR.

This free release, launching today, is a collaboration between animation studio Titmouse and Viacom NEXT, the emerging tech division of the media company. It’s based off of the real annual smash parties that Titmouse hosts in Hollywood, and is a short and simple affair. You find yourself in a cage, you’re given a baseball bat that’s maliciously wrapped in barbed wire (and curiously stained in blood), and given a minute to smash as many items as you can.

Smash Party VR requires slightly more than that minimum room-scale tracking space to be played, asking for 2.1m x 2.1m of space. It quickly becomes clear that this area is needed, as you’ll be wildly swinging round a single controller, trying to break cups, plates, TVs and toilets as fast as possible. The cage around you represents the limits of your tracking, but I’d still recommend keeping the chaperone system visible at all times for this one, especially if any of your boundaries are near something that could be smashed in the real world inside of the virtual one.

Put your wrist strap on, lock the cat in another room, keep the Vive wires away from your feet, and maybe unscrew the light bulbs. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up breaking just as much in the real world as you do in the virtual one.

It’s safe to say this isn’t the most responsible VR game, not that that’s a problem if you have the space. The same rings true for the bizarre presentation, which makes the Vive seem more like a pair of drug-goggles than it does a VR headset. The audience consists of twisted beasts that blind you with their hazy, vibrant colors, while the moon hangs in the sky, bearing down on you with an angry stare and a massive joint. It’s very, very strange to say the least, like you’ve stepped into a 3D-immersive scene from Hotline Miami, only you’re mercifully smashing teacups and not skulls.

And that’s pretty much all there is to this one. Hold the bat above your head for a few seconds and it will charge up, eventually transforming into a giant ax that you can bring crashing down for more destruction. In between rounds you’ll get bonus games where members of the audience will toss things for you to smash, and there’s an extra round at the end of every match where items will be tossed upwards Fruit Ninja-style for you to quickly swipe at. You’ll have seen it all within a few minutes of play.

Smash Party VR is shallow, but fun, free, and arriving out of the blue, so there’s little to complain about. If it ever comes to Oculus Touch, we’d recommend knocking down a wall or two preemptively in your VR room before giving it a go — just as a precaution.

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‘Smash Party’ Is Pure Distilled Destruction Coming Free To HTC Vive

‘Smash Party’ Is Pure Distilled Destruction Coming Free To HTC Vive

At the Smash Party this Saturday night party-goers in Hollywood stepped into a cage clad in safety gear and completely crushed to bits anything and everything.

The  party hosted by Chris Prynoski’s Titmouse animation studio was also the launch event for Smash Party, a VR experience combining Prynoski’s art with the destruct-o-thon spirit of the actual Smash Party.