Release Date
June 8, 2022
Dev Time
4 months
Client
Liam Young, HTC Vive Arts
Tech
Virtual Reality (VR)
Platform
HTC Vive Pro 2
Industry
Art
Planet City
1
Challenge
The biggest challenge for Planet City was accurately converting a 2d rendered experience into an immersive realtime experience while capturing the immense scale of a city designed to house the entire global population.
Solution
Using detailed modular sets we were able to create a variety of different structures using the same pieces which afforded us more memory. Going against VR recommendations we also incorporated volumetrics and fake fog volumes to add depth and a sense of vastness. Lastly by reducing the player's scale, we were able to induce a greater sense of scale
2
Challenge
The challenge was to adapt Liam's 2D film "Planet City," which depicts a typical day in the city, into a VR experience which tells the origin story for Planet City. With Liam's visionary approach and a tight deadline, our team of 5 artists worked diligently to meet our objectives within the set timeframe. To ensure we honored Liam's creative vision and maintained the integrity of the original concept, we embraced his imagination and navigated the unique constraints of VR technology.
Solution
In addition to showing the scale of Planet City we decided to highlight early moments in the cities creation like a flotilla of boats, loading docks where materials arrive to be transported into the city and an entire scene focused on a celebration in China Town. We chose these scenes as we felt confident that we achieve the appropriate fidelity within VR's limitations.
To emphasize the grand scale of Planet City, we strategically showcased pivotal moments in its creation, including a bustling flotilla of boats, loading docks receiving essential materials, and a vibrant celebration in Chinatown. These scenes were selected based on our confidence in achieving the desired level of fidelity within the constraints of VR technology.
3
Challenge
Balancing artistic fidelity with performance optimization in VR. Planet City was rich in visual details, but the high polygon count, effects, and animations required to convey the story of a city for 10 billion people created performance issues. We needed to ensure a visually compelling experience that could also run smoothly on VR hardware.
Solution
To achieve optimal performance without sacrificing visual quality, we implemented a technique called Level of Detail (LOD), which adjusts the quality of 3D models based on the viewer’s proximity. We also simplified background elements and used optimized shaders to reduce rendering load. These optimizations allowed us to maintain high fidelity for close-up details while ensuring smooth performance across the entire experience, enabling a seamless journey through Planet City’s vast world.
Planet City VR, is a narrative Virtual Reality experience set in a fictional city of 10 billion people—the entire population of earth.
Planet City VR, is a narrative Virtual Reality experience set in a fictional city of 10 billion people—the entire population of earth. The world has succumbed to global scale wilderness and surrendered its stolen lands. The city’s creation story, narrated by a young climate activist and one of the city’s first citizens, is an extraordinary tale of tomorrow and an urgent examination of the environmental questions facing us today. Through HTC's introduction, we collaborated with visionary artist Liam Young to bring this crucial narrative to life in Virtual Reality.
Results
Planet City Received Recognition at multiple Festivals:
Invited back to Tribeca Festival in 2024 for a new collaboration with Mercer Labs
Museum Exhibitions: Featured in museums worldwide including M Plus Museum Hong Kong
Gallery
