Silicon Valley VR - A virtual reality game from the cult HBO series

Summary

• Silicon Valley VR: visit the Hacker Hostel in virtual reality
• Silicon Valley VR: a fun HTC Viveport experience

Since 2014, the HBO series caricatures the high-tech industry, and points to the way in which new inventions that make the buzz are often unnecessary or even downright dangerous. No offense to virtual reality fans, VR is no exception to this satirical treatment.

In season 4, the creator of the Oculus Rift, Palmer Luckey, is parodied through the character of Keenan Feldspar. Its virtual reality technology is not yet working, but the investor Hooli is seduced and supports the project to the tune of 2 billion dollars. A risky decision, which is not unlike that of Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) in the real world with the takeover of Oculus.

Silicon Valley VR: visit the Hacker Hostel in virtual reality

This smirk at the virtual reality industry didn't stop HBO and the show's creators

The experience is developed by REWIND studio using Unreal Engine 4, 3DS Max and Maya. The building has been faithfully recreated from drawings and photos using Substance Designer and Substance Painter. 360-degree videos were even made in each room as a model, in order to recreate the lighting as faithfully as possible.

Silicon Valley VR: a fun HTC Viveport experience

De many references to the series are scattered. It is in particular possible to contact different characters through videoconferences, or to perform short missions in the spirit of the soap opera. In particular, a hidden message from Jared will have to be found.

As the trailer suggests, it is possible to achieve a large number of interactions within the house. In total, more than 700 interactions are offered. The gameplay seems relatively similar to that of the successful VR game but the atmosphere seems much more "mature" or at least adult ...

The main objective of the game seems to be to wreak havoc: breaking liquor bottles on the ground after getting drunk at the bottleneck, smoke a big bong of marijuana, scribble obscene drawings on the whiteboard, throw hot water pots across the room… enough to let off steam in the RV with impunity after a good day's work!

Launched to accompany the start of season 5 of the series, the VR experience