AMC strikes US$20m deal with Dreamscape Immersive to bring VR to cinemas in UK and US
POSTED 05 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Founded in January this year, the Los Angeles-based Dreamscape is developing VR attractions utilising full-body tracking technology Credit: Dreamscape Immersive
Cinema chain AMC Entertainment has invested US$20m (€17m, £15.2m) into virtual reality specialists Dreamscape Immersive, in a bid to bring VR to British and the US cinemas next year.
Founded in January, the Los Angeles-based Dreamscape is developing VR attractions utilising full-body tracking technology by Swiss motion capture specialists Artanim. A VR headset attached to a backpack computer offers up to six users untethered movement around large physical spaces, with the system supporting shared interactions such as high fives, handshakes or real-life object manipulation.
Switzerland’s Artanim is behind the motion capture element of Dreamscape
The investment – which comes in the form of a US$10m (€8.5m, £7.6m) equity investment in the VR company, as well as a US$10m investment in creating content – is the first step of a “wide-ranging strategic partnership” from the Wanda-owned AMC, that will rapidly scale the development of Dreamscape in the coming months.
Since launch, the VR startup has had backing from some of Hollywood's biggest names, with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Warner Bros, and MGM all supporting the project.
Its leadership team is also impressive, with prolific film producer and former studio head Walter Parkes and Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall acting as co-chairs, while its chief executive Bruce Vaughn spent 23 years at Disney, most recently as chief creative officer for Walt Disney Imagineering.
"While Dreamscape's immersive technologies represent the cutting edge of the digital world, its heart and soul rests firmly in the shared language of film,” said Parkes. “It's tremendously exciting that our first major commercial partnership is with the world's largest cinema exhibitor."
Dreamscape’s first opening – a standalone attraction – is slated to open at the start of next year, with a flagship site at the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles. It also owns a multiplex in Manchester, the UK. The company has also green-lit its first piece of original content, with the company saying it is currently in licensing conversations with several major studios and IP-holders.
FEATURE: Technology: Russian Evolution POSTED 30 Aug 2017. Meet the tech startup bringing free-roam,
multiplayer VR to Moscow’s millennials
Tech start up Neurable creates world's first brain-controlled VR system POSTED 17 Aug 2017. BY Tom Anstey Tech startup Neurable has taken virtual reality to the next level, creating computer
interfaces for the brain to allow users to control the technology using only the power of
their minds.
Exclusive: Moscow startup eyes global expansion with free-roam VR experiences POSTED 23 Jun 2017. BY Tom Anstey Russian virtual reality startup Anvio VR has set its sights on establishing multiple worldwide
attractions after launching its debut product, a free-roam multiplayer zombie shooter which tracks the
entire human body.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
AMC strikes US$20m deal with Dreamscape Immersive to bring VR to cinemas in UK and US
POSTED 05 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Founded in January this year, the Los Angeles-based Dreamscape is developing VR attractions utilising full-body tracking technology Credit: Dreamscape Immersive
Cinema chain AMC Entertainment has invested US$20m (€17m, £15.2m) into virtual reality specialists Dreamscape Immersive, in a bid to bring VR to British and the US cinemas next year.
Founded in January, the Los Angeles-based Dreamscape is developing VR attractions utilising full-body tracking technology by Swiss motion capture specialists Artanim. A VR headset attached to a backpack computer offers up to six users untethered movement around large physical spaces, with the system supporting shared interactions such as high fives, handshakes or real-life object manipulation.
Switzerland’s Artanim is behind the motion capture element of Dreamscape
The investment – which comes in the form of a US$10m (€8.5m, £7.6m) equity investment in the VR company, as well as a US$10m investment in creating content – is the first step of a “wide-ranging strategic partnership” from the Wanda-owned AMC, that will rapidly scale the development of Dreamscape in the coming months.
Since launch, the VR startup has had backing from some of Hollywood's biggest names, with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Warner Bros, and MGM all supporting the project.
Its leadership team is also impressive, with prolific film producer and former studio head Walter Parkes and Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall acting as co-chairs, while its chief executive Bruce Vaughn spent 23 years at Disney, most recently as chief creative officer for Walt Disney Imagineering.
"While Dreamscape's immersive technologies represent the cutting edge of the digital world, its heart and soul rests firmly in the shared language of film,” said Parkes. “It's tremendously exciting that our first major commercial partnership is with the world's largest cinema exhibitor."
Dreamscape’s first opening – a standalone attraction – is slated to open at the start of next year, with a flagship site at the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles. It also owns a multiplex in Manchester, the UK. The company has also green-lit its first piece of original content, with the company saying it is currently in licensing conversations with several major studios and IP-holders.
FEATURE: Technology: Russian Evolution POSTED 30 Aug 2017. Meet the tech startup bringing free-roam,
multiplayer VR to Moscow’s millennials
Tech start up Neurable creates world's first brain-controlled VR system POSTED 17 Aug 2017. BY Tom Anstey Tech startup Neurable has taken virtual reality to the next level, creating computer
interfaces for the brain to allow users to control the technology using only the power of
their minds.
Exclusive: Moscow startup eyes global expansion with free-roam VR experiences POSTED 23 Jun 2017. BY Tom Anstey Russian virtual reality startup Anvio VR has set its sights on establishing multiple worldwide
attractions after launching its debut product, a free-roam multiplayer zombie shooter which tracks the
entire human body.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
