HTC strikes VR partnership for Ready Player One film

Warner Bros has partnered with Vive maker HTC for the creation of virtual reality content to accompany 2018’s Ready Player One film.

The movie, which is being helmed by Steven Spielberg, is an adaptation of the Ernest Cline book of the same name. Cline has also co-written the screenplay. The plot involves a mystery surrounding the creator of a virtual world. It stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn and Simon Pegg.

Multiple” pieces of VR content are promised, which will be made available through HTC’s Viveport portal, which requires users to install additional software (currently Vive can be run using nothing more than Steam VR, although users are told to install HTC’s assorted software as part of the included product information).

Content for both high-end PC based VR systems” (in other words, Vive) and mobile solutions” have been confirmed.

The virtual reality world within Ready Player One is extremely advanced, sophisticated and engaging, and with Vive, we chose the best system to represent the future of VR,” Warner Pictures’ president of worldwide marketing Blair Rich said.

Vive is the perfect partner to bring that to life and also has the broadest reach to global markets for the use of VR in home, mobile and offline channels. We’re delighted that HTC Vive will be partnering with Ready Player One and very excited to work with them leading up the movie’s release in Spring 2018.”

Viveport president Rikard Steiber added: Ready Player One is one of the most anticipated movies in the world, and has tremendous potential to engage and entertain the worldwide market, showcasing the transformative nature of VR, and what it can and will be.

Vive is delivering on the promise of VR and continues to be the most advanced and immersive VR experience available to consumers, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Warner Bros. to bring these experiences to consumers, on all platforms, around the globe.”