Creators of the mixed reality game, The Bogey Ogre, Dark Slope is collaborating with Insight Productions to develop the Hyperreality Initiative, a new type of show that merges the reality TV genre with metaverse tech.
The companies will utilize haptic feedback and face and hand tracking to create a truly immersive experience for contestants. By tracking contestants’ movements, users will be able to engage in interactions that would be difficult to do with standard motion controls. Likewise, the project will take advantage of the Unreal Engine 5 game engine to create high-quality graphics.
“Our partnership with Dark Slope affords both companies an incredible opportunity to produce dynamic new formats that will dramatically elevate the genre,” says Chairman, CEO, and Executive Producer at Insight Productions, John Brunton. Insight Productions is responsible for the production of The Amazing Race Canada, Wall of Chefs, and Big Brother Canada, amongst other reality series.
“We look forward to sharing what we are creating by combining Insight’s expertise in storytelling and original formats with our technical expertise in virtual production,” said President of Dark Slope Studios, Dan Fill. “The age of immersive metaverse television is now within our reach and we are excited to be trailblazers in this genre.”
Metaverse: The TV Show
While the Hyperreality Initiative may mark the first time metaverse technology has been combined with reality television, the metaverse has been merged with film before. The MetaMovie is an interactive multiplayer movie experience hosted by Neos.
Of course, the metaverse is host to multiple types of entertainment. Museums have also begun transitioning to the metaverse for additional revenue. Spotify recently partnered with Roblox to create Spotify Island, a virtual world where users can mingle with artists. In addition, LOST launched the first metaverse escape room earlier this month. Fortnite is even hosting the Cannes Film Festival virtually.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
