Warner Bros. Pictures has just signed an "strategic partnership" with HTC Vive, that will see HTC being the "exclusive VR partner for all content, online and offline activities" for the upcoming release of 'Ready Player One' from legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
Ready Player One has been one of, if not the most anticipated movie to be shifted into the VR realm - and is teased as a "sci-fi action thriller that unfolds largely within the virtual reality space", making for perfect VR content. HTC will provide "multiple pieces of VR content tied to the world of Ready Player One" in VR, with the VR content available through HTC's software portal, Viveport.
There will be location-based entertainment for Ready Player One, as well as high-end PC-based VR and mobile versions. Blair Rich, President of Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures explains: "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. 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".
Rikard Steiber, President of Viveport said: "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".
Warner Bros. Pictures, Amblin Partners, and Village Roadshow Pictures will be releasing Ready Player One on March 30, 2018.