Oculus is hedging its bets that an adorable critter named Henry can help convince consumers — and Hollywood — about the viability of virtual reality as a storytelling medium.
The VR company, which Facebook acquired for nearly $2 billion (Dh7.9 billion) last year, debuted a 10-minute narrative experience starring the lonely hedgehog Henry during an invite-only event Tuesday at a private mansion in Beverly Hills.
Inside, guests donned consumer versions of the Oculus Rift headset and were offered a 360-degree glimpse into Henry’s cartoon home as his birthday wish magically came to life.
Henry is the second film from Oculus Story Studio, an internal production company that Oculus established last year after Facebook bought the VR company. Lost, the studio’s first short film, debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
