Whether you choose to embrace, ignore, or run away from it, technology stops for no one. It presses on relentlessly, and tools continue to be developed to speed up, compartmentalize, and broaden our lives. Virtual reality (VR) storytelling is no exception to this — it’s an exciting new medium that combines VR technology with our age-old desire to tell stories. 

What exactly is VR storytelling?

Brett Leonard’s grim 1992 sci-fi/action/horror film, The Lawnmower Man, paints a dark picture of a world where any man can become a god – think Old Testament, not New. It’s central tenet holds true today: VR storytelling is about being able to immerse yourself completely in a virtual world. VR storytelling turns the two dimensional storytelling constraint of your TV, phone, PC and games console on its head, and gives users the chance to truly be part of the narrative.

As a technology that enables a 360-degree visually immersive experience, VR is changing the way in which information is processed and categorized. This information revolution is being embraced by news publications, marketers, governments, advertisers, filmmakers, and corporations (we could go on!). We may all be using VR storytelling techniques one day.

Why use VR for stories?

The thing about technology is that if it truly alters the way that society (collectively and individually) operates, then it ultimately becomes a part of our everyday lives. Even those who cannot use a computer will have their life dictated by it some level, whether directly or indirectly. VR is starting to change the way we see the world — whether you use it or not.

Storytelling is a way of connecting with people on an emotional level. Because VR storytelling is interactive, it allows you to be both involved in the message being disseminated, and also live it out in real time.

VR is a much more powerful way for influencers, and even retailers, to connect with their audience because it removes any limits on the interaction. Imagine an advert for a company offering kayaking tours being able to let you raft along Methow River while you take your bath; or being able to feel as though you’re actually at King’s Landing, watching an episode of Game of Thrones from the inside. VR stories are powerful because they are so immersive — and they play on our sense of boundaries in a pleasurable, almost uncanny, way.

VR can also help us tell the story of what’s going on inside the human head. It’s ability to help us connect with our cognitive selves on a more granular level has life-changing potential. The benefit it could bring in conditions such as autism is truly inspiring.

How?

It’s not so much a  question of how, but a reality of now. VR storytelling is already available through VR goggles (head-mounted displays, or HMD) being sold by any mobile phone company with a desire to stay in business beyond 2025.

There are also a whole range of other gadgets that come under the VR storytelling umbrella:

• Google Tilt Brush: Enables you to paint three-dimensionally.
• Virtual Desktop: Gives you a virtual mirror of your desk and lets you ramp up the size.
• SoundStage VR: Lets you become a virtual musician.

Companies offering VR and VR storytelling solutions are sprouting up all over the world, with Washington and Seattle being blessed with a number of excellent examples, including:

• VRstudios, who “pioneered the first completely wireless, full-motion, multi-participant, immersive VR experience systems for commercial-grade applications.”
• 8ninths, who are “developing holographic applications for enterprise clients” and count Microsoft, Samsung, Oculus, Facebook and HTC Vive among the tech giants they work with.
• Pluto VR, who take an active role in Seattle’s VR community by running the Seattle VR Meetup.

VR storytelling is here. The future will only see VR take a more active role in your life. It’s up to you to decide whether to embrace, ignore, or run away from it.