VR continues to make its way into the mainstream.
This morning, the Television Academy announced nominations for the 69th Annual Emmy Awards, and among the number were three VR experiences in the “Outstanding Original Interactive Program” category: Dear Angelica (Oculus Story Studio), Mission:ISS (Magnopus), and The People’s House – Inside The White House With Barack And Michelle Obama (Felix & Paul Studios). With five nominations in total, VR made up 60% of all nominations in the category.
Dear Angelica
Dear Angelica, created by Wesley Allsbrook and Saschka Unseld for Story Studio, made waves when it debuted at Sundance this past January, and has continued to wow audiences across the festival circuit. And this isn’t the first time the studio ended up in the Emmy conversation—scoring a big win with Henry last year—so many were expecting a repeat appearance on the list this year.
In May, Facebook closed down the in-house Oculus studio, so this piece will be the last official Story Studio title in circulation.
Mission:ISS
For the big dreamers and cosmonauts in the room, Mission:ISS offers you the chance to launch into orbit and experience life aboard the International Space Station. In the simulation, participants learn how to move and complete operations in zero-gravity with the embodiment of the Touch controllers.
Included in your tasks are: docking a space capsule and taking a spacewalk. Real astronauts guide you through the ISS using archival video to paint a larger picture of the storied station.
The People’s House
Canadian premium content house Felix & Paul also makes a repeat visit on the Emmy list with The People’s House – Inside The White House With Barack And Michelle Obama. As the name clearly states, this experience offers viewers an exclusive 360 view into the White House.
The Obamas take viewers on a journey through this historic site—not only showcasing the Oval Office, Situation Room, and South Lawn—but offering unprecedented access to rooms not open to the general public in the West Wing, including the Executive and Private Residences. All the while they reflect on their eight years together.
This companion piece offers a glimpse into the full experience, available on the Oculus RIFT and Samsung Gear VR.
Who do you think has the best shot of taking home the trophy? Let us know!