As with most discussions of virtual reality, there was talk of the medium being uniquely immersive. “I really believe that the combination of catharsis and VR, and the full immersion that VR creates, can expand our perception,” said Yelena Rachitsky, creative producer and head of education at Oculus Story Studio, in a characteristic comment.
But while frequently described as immersive, virtual reality is equally often criticized for being socially isolating. The newest “immersive” medium to emerge in recent years is the form of interactive theater pioneered by Punchdrunk, in which audience members wander around a stage set and occasionally interact with performers, guiding their own experience.
This made the partnership between Samsung and Punchdrunk particularly intriguing. How would these two vastly different companies resolve the conflict between Punchdrunk’s visceral brand of theater, which makes viewers feel more present in a space, with the sensory bubble created by products like Samsung’s Gear VR?