Release Date
March 8, 2024
Dev Time
7 months
Client
Meta, CBS
Tech
Virtual Reality (VR)
Platform
Horizon World, Meta Quest
Industry
Gaming, Entertainment
Survivor VR
1
Challenge
By partnering with Meta, we had the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of pioneering experimental features before their official launch. Our collaboration involved offering valuable insights and feedback, which played a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and usability of these tools prior to their widespread availability to the public.
Solution
In partnership with Meta's engineering team, we devised optimal methods for integrating their latest features. This involved crafting custom UI, animations, and textured landscapes, ensuring an immersive player experience. Utilizing Meta's updated audio tools, we collaborated with Jeff Probst to serve as the host, marking a groundbreaking milestone as the first celebrity to host a gaming experience.
2
Challenge
Navigate within the graphical confines of Horizon World to craft a visually striking and immersive environment that captivates users.
Solution
We were early adopters in deploying experiences with their dynamic asset integration tool, enabling us to seamlessly incorporate a diverse range of art assets into the virtual environment in real-time.
3
Challenge
Transforming the dynamic mechanics of the show into an immersive and thrilling VR experience posed a multifaceted challenge. This involved reimagining iconic elements such as puzzles, challenges, and the dramatic tribal council within the virtual realm. Additionally, condensing the entirety of a 20-hour season into a concise 45-minute gameplay experience required innovative strategies to maintain engagement and excitement while capturing the essence of the show's essence.
Solution
By investing additional time in studying the show, we ensured that our entire team possessed a deep understanding of its intricate mechanics, essential for translating its excitement into the VR realm. While we initially had the basic structure of the game, it became evident that significant redesign was necessary to enhance its pace for a more immersive gaming experience. A pivotal challenge lay in seamlessly integrating elements such as the hidden immunity idol, requiring creative solutions to maintain authenticity while optimizing gameplay flow.
Well Played Studios partnered with CBS and Meta to pioneer a groundbreaking VR experience for Season 46 of Survivor.
Well Played Studios partnered with CBS and Meta to pioneer a groundbreaking VR experience for Season 46 of Survivor. This multiplayer adventure unfolds within Meta's Horizon Worlds, offering players an unprecedented immersion into the iconic Survivor universe.
Set on the custom-designed Survivor: Horizon Island, this virtual realm invites players to engage in all the quintessential aspects of the show. From forging alliances to tackling challenges and hunting for hidden immunity idols, participants are thrust into the heart of the Survivor experience. They'll navigate the complexities of island life, from tending to the fire to fishing for sustenance, all while striving to evade elimination.
At the helm of this thrilling adventure is none other than the Hostmaster General himself, Jeff Probst, whose authoritative voice adds an extra layer of authenticity and excitement to the gameplay. Brace yourself for his iconic exhortation: "Dig deep!"
Results
Within the first month, our VR game attracted over 50,000 unique visitors who collectively logged nearly 20,000 hours of gameplay—an impressive testament to its engagement and popularity. Among these players, the top 3 have already spent more than 10 hours immersed in the game. Additionally, Meta and CBS joined forces to create a commercial spot scheduled to air during the weekly broadcast of the show, marking a groundbreaking moment as the first Horizon World experience to launch a national TV campaign.
See more detail from Entertainment Weekly: Survivor: Horizon Island VR game with Jeff Probst to launch on Meta
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