IMAX teased “immersive, multi-dimensional experiences, including entertainment content and games [in] multiplexes, malls and other commercial destinations”.
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If Facebook’s Oculus Rift mission was to bring sophisticated virtual reality gear to true believers, Google’s evolving VR vision is introducing this otherworldly tech to the masses.
Revealing that it plans to launch six VR locations across the world in 2016, IMAX said that the first of these locations will be in Los Angeles.
The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, compelling growth in net income, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity.
Starbreeze, the company behind the 210 degree FOV VR headset StarVR are to work with large-scale cinema specialists IMAX to create “premium location-based VR” experiences “worthy of the IMAX brand”.
While IMAX will be working with Google on the new virtual reality camera, it has also created a partnership with Starbreeze AB for the location-based virtual reality initiative. Additionally, the company will hand over existing cinematic 2D content to Google to convert it into VR content. Were guessing that IMAX will partner with more developers to create unique gaming experiences for the rigs, as it wouldnt make much sense to offer games like EVE: Valkyrie or The London Heist, which can be played from home on standard VR headsets.
IMAX Corp. CEO, Richard L. Gelfond has announced his optimism about the VR project, emphasizing that VR movies are a frontier that is yet to be explored fully by the film industry.
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In related news, Google has confirmed through a session at its I/O develop conference and its blog it has plans to build its own VR headset. What type of VR experience do you think IMAX will make available that cant be recreated at home? The announcement follows Thursday’s news that the theatre firm is working with Google to build a cinema quality VR camera.
