Virtual Reality Takes You Inside the News from Syria to US-Mexico Border Geneva Sands and Serena Marshall - Fusion
go to original August 12, 2015

Some of the biggest news events can now be experienced from thousands of miles away, without ever having been there. (Fusion)

Some of the biggest news events of the past few years – the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the war in Syria, violence on the U.S.-Mexico border - can now be experienced from thousands of miles away, without ever having been there.

A group of journalists and animators have developed virtual reality technology that utilizes a headset, wireless transmitters, and motion-tracking cameras to put consumers directly in the middle of a news event.

“You get a stronger connection to the story, I think you get a quicker, deeper, and visceral understanding of the story of what’s going on in front of you,” said Nonny de la Peña, founder and CEO of Emblematic Group, a virtual reality content developer, based in California. Peña, a former Newsweek correspondent, was recently called the “Godmother of Virtual Reality,” by Engadget.

De la Peña and her team have created about a half dozen experiences, including Project Syria, Hunger in Los Angeles, Use of Force, and Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. The technology has been displayed at festivals like Sundance and SXSW.

“We can take any space and turn it into the virtual reality stage,” she said.

Read the rest at Fusion

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