While consumer virtual reality hasn't had quite the levels of adoption that many anticipated, there's no question that the technology is impressive and capable. The Void is one company that has been looking to see just far the technology can go. A partnership with ILMxLAB has let the retail VR company create multiplayer VR experiences using Disney brands, and we now have the first trailer for the second VR experience, Ralph Breaks VR. Check it out.
The new film Ralph Breaks the Internet will see our favorite video game wrecker and his friend Vanellope Von Schweetz leave the confines of their arcade for the boundless internet. The trailer for Ralph Breaks VR will do the same, only it will allow you and three friends to go along for the ride. We see a variety of different interactive experiences including what looks like a VR version of the classic Space Invaders and a section that appears to have players dodging flying baked goods. It's bright and colorful just like the film and looks to be a lot of fun.
John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman might appear to lend their voices to their characters from the film, but it's actually sound-alikes. However, Ralph Breaks the Internet directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston the VOID experience was designed to sound just like the movie. We'll have to wait and see if any other key members of the cast reprise their roles as well.
Ralph Breaks VR follows on the heels of Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire which has been running at Void locations throughout the world for the last couple of years. That game saw players take on a somewhat more serious story that included infiltrating an Imperial base and even coming up against Darth Vader. This one looks to be a bit more silly, but considering the themes and location of Ralph Breaks the Internet, it's certainly the perfect film to have a tie-in VR experience.
Void VR takes things a step further than the consumer VR product that is currently available for PCs by allowing for up to four people to interact together within the same space. Multiplayer VR isn't a new thing, but it's not really possible for multiple people to hook their VR units together and interact together in the same physical space.
Ralph Breaks VR will be available at four Void locations, including, fittingly, Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. Tickets are now on sale and the VR experience will begin on November 21.
I'll be making my way to Walt Disney World in a couple months. I'll certainly be looking to make this part of my trip. On the plus side, it appears that Ralph Breaks VR is not replacing Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, as tickets for both experiences are available on the Void website into early January, at least at the Disney Springs location, which is as far in advance as it is currently possible to buy any tickets.
A third Void virtual reality experience, involving Marvel, has been announced, but no details or release schedule has been given.
