One of my favorite shows has just announced a truly great tie-in to VR. USA Network’s “Mr. Robot” is the latest show to embrace virtual reality (VR) at Comic Con this year. But staying true to its plot line, there’s a bit of mystery added to the release of the show’s first VR video: The “Mr. Robot VR Experience” will be streamed on the Within VR app at 10:45 am PT this coming Thursday — and promptly disappear from the app after the conclusion of the broadcast.
This unique VR release is being billed as “the largest VR simulcast ever.” Users can watch the videovia Within’s apps on Android, iOS, Gear VR, HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.
It’s a collaboration of “Mr. Robot” show creator Sam Esmail, Within, the VR startup until recently known as VRSE, and Within’s sister production company Here Be Dragons. Within and Here Be Dragons are best known for their VR documentaries, some of which were produced in conjunction with the New York Times, Vice and the United Nations.
Within co-founder Aaron Koblin recently told Variety that his team wants to keep producing this kind of documentary content, but also add more dramatic content to its roster. “For us, it’s very much about immersive storytelling,” he said.
Within recently raised a $12.56 million round of funding from 21st Century Fox, Andreessen Horowitz, Raine Ventures, WME, Live Nation, Vice Media, Tribeca Enterprises, Annapurna Pictures, Legendary Pictures, and Elisabeth Murdoch’s Freelands Ventures.