Fox Innovation Lab Puts You On Mars in ‘The Martian’ Virtual Reality Experience

Twentieth Century Fox’s research and development center today announced the availability of its first commercial virtual reality endeavor.

Fox Innovation Lab, in partnership with RSA Films and The Virtual Reality Company, has unveiled The Martian VR Experience, an interactive adventure with viewers participating from astronaut Mark Watney’s perspective, performing tasks that will facilitate his chances for survival.

During the experience, which will be available November 15 for PlayStation VR, users can fly onto the surface of Mars, steer at zero gravity through space, drive a rover and experience other scenes from the film in a 360-degree virtual reality environment.

“I’ve always tried to approach filmmaking from the standpoint of creating an immersive experience,” said Ridley Scott, Executive Producer of The Martian VR Experience and co-founder of RSA Films. “Now with the tools that are available to us in virtual reality, we can raise the bar even higher.”

The State of Virtual Reality Today

“Virtual reality is transforming what we think of as movie entertainment—people can be the viewer behind the screen, and now they can participate in the story,” said Robert Stromberg, Director of The Martian VR Experience, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Virtual Reality Company.

“The Martian VR Experience is a testament to the opportunity for filmmakers to connect with audiences in new and deeper ways,” said Mike Dunn, President, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Fox Innovation Lab.

The Martian VR Experience debuted at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. It was accepted into the New Frontier Program at Sundance and was the recipient of the Cannes Silver Lion in Digital Craft as well as the Association of Independent Commercial Producers Next VR Award.

The Martian VR Experience is for $27.

How Virtual Reality Headsets Work