An interactive virtual world experience — the cyberspace roadshow

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to describe a virtual reality application which requires a mobile installation, and the experience gathered during the preparation, realization, and execution of this project. Recently, high-end virtual reality (VR) receives much attention in the marketing field. Professional advertisment agencies are trying to exploit the fascination in this technology raised within the public. IGD was approached by such an agency and requested to prepare a high-quality VR application, serving as marketing event for the Schweizerische Bankgesellschaft / Union de Banques Suisses (SBG/UBS), the largest swiss bank. SBG wanted to attract the swiss youth, in order to promote its junior bank card.

This event was held in twelve major swiss cities during four weeks in May/June 1994 with daily presentations. The time schedule and the marketing concept required a mobile installation. As Cyberspace Roadshow the event was advertised in newspapers and radio spots. This was worldwide the first mobile, immersive, high-quality VR installation. The complete VR infrastructure was installed in a huge truck as well as the presentations were performed inside the truck. The hardware infrastructure comprised: image generator (SGI Crimson/RealityEngine), VR peripherals (head-mounted display, data glove, body tracking systems), sound generator (SGI Indigo), and a large screen, stereoscopic rear projection, using polarizing light. Using such an immersive environment, approx. 40 persons can be covered. Wearing 3D glasses the audience can experience stereoscopic viewing and follow passively, what one active person is controlling by utilizing the VR devices.

For this event IGD created several entertaining virtual worlds, using its proprietary VR system. The main idea was that one active player is flying through a tunnel, approaching a switch room with three alternatives: riding through a jungle, playing music instruments, or exploring a space labyrinth. Each player had a time limit of approx. 5 minutes.