Oculus debuts the first of three upcoming Blade Runner VR titles for Gear VR & Rift along with an immersive new experience in San Diego.
Blade Runner 2049, the long-awaited sequel to the 1982 cult classic Blade Runner, hits theaters this October and I’m still having trouble believing it’s true. The trailers, while jaw-dropping, won’t be nearly enough to keep me satisfied until the release, something I’m sure many sci-fi nerds can sympathize heavily with.
Thankfully, pop culture mega convention San Diego Comic-Con has finally returned, which means tons of new updates on everything you could possibly care about regarding upcoming movies, TV, games and comics.
And sure enough, this year’s convention is home to a generous amount of Blade Runner 2049-related reveals including several upcoming Gear VR & Oculus Rift titles as well as an immersive virtual reality experience that blends virtual reality with physical objects.
Developed by Turtle Rock Studios, Blade Runner 2049: Replicant Pursuit will put Gear VR users in the seat of the classic “spinner” aircraft and task them with hunting down and “retiring” a rogue replicant. Blade Runner 2049: Replicant Pursuit will be available on the Gear VR July 21st followed by two more interactive VR experiences arriving in the coming months for the Gear VR as well as the Rift headset.
The Rick Deckard party doesn’t stop there however. Debuting at San Diego Comic-Con this week, attendees as well as the public will actually have the chance to check out another unique VR experience set within the dystopian universe. The Blade Runner Experience will marry physical objects with virtual reality in a captivating trial set around the stories infamous White Dragon Noodle Bar. Think of it like a much bleaker version of The Void’s Ghostbusters Dimension, with less spooky ghosts and more homicidal bio-robotic androids.
Oculus was quick to point out that this experiences as well as the upcoming Gear VR & Rift content will not just satisfy our cravings with the same old stories, but actually contribute to the overall universe:
“We’ll release two more interactive Blade Runner experiences (available on both Gear VR and Rift) around the film’s premiere in October,” stated Oculus in an official release. “Not only will these experiences give people a taste of this beloved neo-noir universe in a uniquely visceral way, they’ll also expand the overall story for a transmedia encounter like no other.”
Blade Runner 2049: Replicant Pursuit will be available for download on the Gear VR via the Oculus Store. San Diego locals can try out the unique Blade Runner Experience at the San Diego Convention Center July 20th to July 23rd. Badge NOT REQUIRED so why the hell not, right?