Rewind Launches VR Formula E Driving Experience
To mark the launch of Jaguar’s entry into the Formula E motorsport series, REWIND, a creative agency and digital production studio, has produced a first-of-its kind social Virtual Reality driving experience, in collaboration with Imagination.
The VR experience was launched at the Paris Auto Show as part of the Jaguar stand and will remain at the event for its duration, before going on tour to Hong Kong, LA and other major cities.
The experience, which promotes Jaguar’s return to racing, puts users in the driving seat of a Formula E single seater racing car, taking them on a multi-sensory journey and allowing them to compete against others. The four-minute VR experience uses 4D experience systems, including physical fans, so they can feel the wind in their face as they accelerate, a custom rumble-seat system so users can feel the road through the seat, and an industry leading force feedback wheel system.
HTC’s Vive and the latest gaming technology transports the user to another time and reality. The user can also watch a heritage montage of Jaguar Racing, featuring British motor racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss OBE. The user then meets the new drivers of the Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team. Next the user’s skills are put to the test on a series of high-speed driving challenges through famous street circuits that Formula E will visit in season three: from Paris to Hong Kong, New York to Marrakech. As a final climax to the experience, the user gets to activate their own #FanBoost to go for the win.
The experience was developed using bespoke assets in Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) and is suitable for viewing on the HTC Vive. Based on the creative strategy from Imagination, REWIND has developed a server-side back-end which allows up to six people to have a social experience – aware of each other’s movements and customisation options – within the experience itself. In addition, each user can see the scores of other players as they drive around the track via a social score board and they can share their adventures on social media.
