What are the best VR storytelling campaigns and what can you learn from them?

1 The power of empathy

One of the most effective ways to use VR storytelling is to evoke empathy for a cause, a person, or a situation. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, and VR can enhance this by putting the viewer in someone else's shoes. For example, Clouds Over Sidra is a VR documentary that follows the life of a 12-year-old girl in a Syrian refugee camp. The viewer can see and hear what she sees and hears, and feel a connection with her story. This VR campaign was produced by the United Nations to raise awareness and funds for the refugee crisis.

2 The art of interactivity

Another way to use VR storytelling is to give the viewer some agency and choice in the story. Interactivity can make the viewer more involved and invested in the outcome, and also create different possibilities and paths for the story. For example, The Invisible Hours is a VR murder mystery that lets the viewer explore a mansion and follow the actions and conversations of seven suspects. The viewer can choose who to follow, where to go, and what to observe, and discover clues and secrets along the way. This VR campaign was created by Tequila Works, a game studio, to showcase their narrative skills and innovation.

3 The challenge of immersion

A third way to use VR storytelling is to create a sense of immersion and presence for the viewer. Immersion is the feeling of being fully engaged and absorbed in a virtual environment, and presence is the feeling of being there and experiencing it as real. To achieve this, VR storytelling needs to use high-quality graphics, sound, and motion, and also avoid breaking the illusion with glitches, errors, or distractions. For example, The Walk is a VR experience that simulates walking on a tightrope between the Twin Towers in New York. The viewer can feel the height, the wind, and the tension, and also face their fears and overcome them. This VR campaign was developed by Sony Pictures, a film studio, to promote their movie The Walk.

VR storytelling is a powerful and creative way to communicate your message and connect with your audience. By using empathy, interactivity, and immersion, you can craft a VR story that is memorable, meaningful, and impactful. What are some of the VR stories that have inspired you? How do you use VR storytelling in your own projects? Share your thoughts and insights with us.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?