Anyone that’s scanned the tech section of their Sunday paper in the last 12 months is familiar with, if not totally sick of, the Oculus Rift. The technological marvel is almost single-handedly responsible for making the public excited about virtual reality again.
Originally intended to take immersive gaming to the next, that is, ultimate level, many are getting a little fatigued with the whole Oculus thing, since the device doesn’t yet have any games that you can actually play on it. But, as always, J-pop has come to the rescue.
Indeed, the latest number from Japanese sensation Kumi Koda has not only shown us the awesome future of music videos, but could prove that the entertainment value of the Oculus Rift extends beyond gameplay into passive experiences.
Her music video for ‘Dance in the Rain’ was filmed in collaboration with director Masashi Yokobe, a.k.a. YKBX, in 360 degrees and optimised for viewing in virtual reality. From what we can tell, it’s a pretty spectacular experience.
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“I saw it at Tokyo Designers Week today, and it reminded me why I found the Oculus Rift so cool the first time I used it nearly two years ago,” writes Sam Byford, a Tokyo-based reporter for tech site The Verge.
A victim of Oculus “fatigue”, Byford says Koda’s new clip has renewed his interest in the product. If you’re looking to follow along, check out the sadly non-VR trailer for the ‘Dance in the Rain’ video below.
“The Oculus Rift version is a little like this,” writes Byford, “but everything is floating through the air and flying in front of you. It looks like a Myst level blown into fragments and thrown into a wind tunnel.”
“Sometimes Koda stops the music, circles you so that you move your head, and says something in English before the song restarts… the medium turns out to be the perfect fit for the overwrought futurism of the average J-pop ballad.”
With more VR music videos assuredly on their way, the Oculus Rift could prove less a game geek’s dream gadget than the final frontier for every record label and advertising firm looking to push their latest pop construction or commercial campaign directly into your brain.
That said, judging by the trailer below, the videos will be freaking epic.
