Astra is a mixed reality journey into the depths of the cosmos and is coming to Quest this month
Astra is a mixed reality experience that takes you on a journey through the solar system. It will be released this month for Meta Quest.
Astra is the brainchild of Eliza McNitt, who previously created the cosmic VR experience Spheres. It combines spatial storytelling, interactive mixed reality and cinematic sequences. It is co-produced by AtlasV and Meta.
AtlasV describes Astra as follows:
Embark on a mixed reality journey that transforms your room into a spaceship for a mission to the deepest corners of the cosmos. Following the research of your astrobiologist mother, travel in space and visit planets and their dark moons in the search for life. You'll try to uncover the mystery of life in the universe and make sense of your loss and grief. Astra blends storytelling, mixed reality and interactive design with stunning environments, guiding you through a deeply personal yet universal adventure.
In Astra, you will discover the astrobiologist's lost belongings and visit the surfaces of Jupiter, Saturn's moon Titan, and other planets and moons. There you will study their chemical signatures in search of the origin of life. Grammy-nominated singer and actress Taylour Paige is voices Astra.
Astra celebrated its world premiere at the SXSW conference in March and will be released on the Quest Store on April 25, 2024. Click on the store link to watch a trailer of the mixed reality experience.
Eliza McNitt made a name for herself with the interactive VR experience "Spheres," whose distribution rights were sold for $1.4 million at the 2018 Sundance Festival. The three-chapter VR experience "Spheres" takes VR users to the farthest reaches of the universe and allows them to witness cosmic events. It was produced by US director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, The Whale), and features voices from Jessica Chastain, Patti Smith and Millie Bobby Brown.
Production company AtlasV specializes in narrative and artistically rich VR and AR experiences. In addition to Spheres, the company distributes acclaimed VR films such as Battlescar, Madrid Noir, and Gloomy Eyes.
I have fond memories of Spheres, which is also available in the Meta Quest Store, and I'm excited to see what McNitt has up her sleeve this time around, especially when it comes to the implementation of mixed reality. If you like experimental and aesthetically pleasing experiences off the beaten XR path, Astra should be on your radar.
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