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16 Jul 2023

UEFA – THE ULTIMATE KNOCKOUT

By 1618digital

UEFA – THE ULTIMATE KNOCKOUT: Gamified Brand Experience
CLIENT: UEFA
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Solarflare Studio
OUR ROLE: Sound Design and Bespoke Music Production

The UEFA Champions League, in collaboration with Wasserman, has initiated an exciting three-season partnership, teaming up with Solarflare Studio to develop an immersive virtual experience for fans. UEFA has ventured into the digital arena, highlighting the UEFA Ecosystem through a personalised virtual world, bespoke Ready Player Me avatars, and engaging global gameplay.

On a global scale, this digital fan experience aims to bridge the gap between digital innovation and sports entertainment. As anticipation built for the Champions League Final, we launched The Ultimate Knockout in September 2023. In line with UEFAs Group Stage Matches, every two weeks until December, fans had the chance to win tickets to the 2024 Champions League Final.

Through captivating storytelling, design and inclusive fan engagement our challenge was to create high-quality virtual environments that do justice to the mass popularity of UEFA. The web-based platform is easily accessible via any device, seamlessly accommodates high user numbers and allows real-time updates that keep fans coming back for more.

The Ultimate Knockout currently consists of two main areas, “The Locker Room” and “The Ultimate Knockout Quiz.”

For more information, visit Solarflare Studio official case study page below.

Solarflare Case Study: https://solarflarestudio.co.uk/work/uefa-the-ultimate-knockout/

Image Credit: Solarflare Studio

04 May 2023

Rashid Rover Moon Mission AR Experience

By 1618digital

RASHID ROVER MOON MISSION: Web AR Experience
CLIENT: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Alchemy Immersive / Atlantic Productions / Zoo VFX
OUR ROLE: Sound Design

Atlantic Productions and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre have joined forces to take you on a groundbreaking journey to the moon in Rashid Rover: Moon Mission. This Web AR experience lets you join the next stage of Lunar Exploration from your own room or classroom. With the first Arab lunar mission only a week away, experience firsthand the Rover’s mission of exploration and discovery. This historic mission will study the surface of the moon, leading the way for more successful lunar exploration. Rashid Rover: Moon Mission is an interactive educational Augmented Reality experience that brings the moon mission to children and families in the UAE and worldwide. Available in English and Arabic on smartphones (iPhone and Android) across the globe, this experience gives you a chance to rediscover the excitement of space exploration for free.

The mission of MBRSC and Atlantic Productions is to harness the latest interactive technologies to create an immersive, educational AR experience that speaks to all ages and provides an inspiring way to learn about space, science, and technology. Pilot the Rashid Rover around the moon’s surface at a real scale, discovering the purpose of its intrepid expedition. Learn how and why the Rashid Rover is discovering the moon in a truly engaging way, paving the way for future lunar explorations.

To engage the world in the cutting-edge Rashid Rover, the experience used highly detailed, accurate 3D models of the Rover. Based on these models, the public can interact with the Rashid Rover at a 1:1 scale, gaining insights into how this small but mighty Rover is taking on its important mission. The detailed model of the Moon’s surface immerses you in space, making you feel like you’re truly joining the Rashid Rover in exploring the moon’s surface – from your own living room! These highly detailed digital twin models have been optimised to make the experience available as a web-based Augmented Reality. This allows the Rashid Rover: Moon Mission to be truly accessible to anyone with a smartphone, through their internet browser, without lag. The fun, user-friendly interface and intuitive interactions have been designed to ensure that everyone can engage with the experience, regardless of age or technical ability. Our role to was to sound design the UI on the app and to create cinematic sound to bring the Rover and its surroundings to life.

For more information, visit Alchemy Immersive’s official case study page below.

Alchemy Immersive Case Study: https://alchemyimmersive.com/productions/rashid-rover-moon-mission/

Image Credit: Atlantic Productions

28 Mar 2023

David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies

By 1618digital

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S CONQUEST OF THE SKIES: Three-part VR series
GENRE: Nature/ Science
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Alchemy Immersive / Atlantic Productions / Zoo VFX / Meta / Oculus
OUR ROLE: 3D Location Sound Recording, Spatial Sound Design, 3D Mix

Following on from their previous Emmy-nominated titles – Micro Monsters, First Life, and Kingdom Of Plants – Alchemy Immersive and Meta Quest have launched their most ambitious co-production yet with David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies. In this three-part Immersive series, join David Attenborough to explore the astonishing 300-million-year dynasty of flight in exceptional 3D 8k 180 Virtual Reality at 60fps with 3D audio.

1.618 Digital continues its collaboration with Alchemy Immersive and Meta, delivering immersive sound design and 3D mix to this three-part VR series. We used a scientific method to vocalise the prehistoric creatures. Also, the project’s leading sound designer Oliver Kadel utilises cutting-edge spatial audio recording techniques such as Ambisonics and Equal Segment Aray 3D developed by Hyunkook Lee at the University of Huddersfield to bring the environments to life and fully immerse our audience.

For more information, visit Alchemy Immersive’s official case study page below.

Official Trailer

Behind The Scenes

Alchemy Immersive Case Study: https://alchemyimmersive.com/productions/david-attenborough-conquest-of-the-skies/

Alchemy Immersive Oculus Page: https://creator.oculus.com/community/2319730815002569/

Image Credit: Atlantic Productions

28 Mar 2023

Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Virtual Training for VR

By 1618digital

VIRTUAL TRAINING MODULE: Education Program for VR

AGENCY & DEVELOPER: BODYSWAPS

OUR ROLE: 3D Sound Design and Sound Implementation in Unity

Communicating our thoughts, ideas and beliefs is a fundamental life skill, essential for defining who we are and what we need. Yet fear of public speaking means that many of us would much rather shut up than speak out in front of an audience.

This 60-minute course will help beginner and intermediate speakers find their voice, learn how to connect with their audience, communicate with clarity, and present compelling, persuasive and inspirational speeches, whatever the situation. Once they’ve worked their way through all the activities, they’ll get the opportunity to put their skills into practice in an environment that’s relevant to them.

This adaptive programme of fully-immersive activities coaches learners in four key interconnecting components of public speaking: composure, performance, charisma and content.

  1. Build confidence and manage anxiety
  2. Become more aware of what your non-verbal signals are saying
  3. Discover the non-verbal behaviours of top orators
  4. Practise applying different non-verbal techniques in different contexts
  5. Develop presence by being your own authentic self
  6. Build charisma in how you speak to others
  7. Receive guidance in deciding what you’re going to say
  8. Structure your content for clarity and engagement

1.618 Digital and SENSA partnered with BODYSWAPS to develop a sound design strategy comprising detailed environment auralisation, NPC vocalisations and virtual acoustics for the PhD study on spatial psychoacoustic undertaken by Oliver Kadel at the AudioLab, University of York, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology. The study was designed to assess the impact of spatial audio for environment auralisation, vocalisation of non-playable characters and interactive tasks on cognitive load and information retention for virtual training simulation in Virtual Reality. The training programme is currently fully available to all BODYSWAPS customers. The study is undergoing an internal preliminary phase within the university setting before full deployment and data gathering on a full scale across the UK and France.

For more information visit BODYSWAPS’ official case study page below.

BODYSWAPS Case Study: https://bodyswaps.co/public-speaking-presentation-skills/

TRY BODYSWAPS HERE: https://bodyswaps.co/corporate/

Image Credit: BODYSWAPS
28 Oct 2022

Bombardier Brand Experience at EBACE Geneva

By 1618digital

BOMBARDIER BRAND EXPERIENCE: Multi-Media Brand Installation at EBACE 2022 in Geneva
BRAND: Bombardier
AGENCY: 2HEADS
OUR ROLE: Sonic Branding Strategy, Bespoke Sound Design & Composition

Bombardier, the global leader in business jets, partnered with us for the twentieth year at EBACE 2022. As the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community, Bombardier chose EBACE for the grand unveiling of both the brand new G8000, the fastest and furthest flying business jet in the world, and their vision for sustainable development of an under-pressure industry.

Haloed above the environment, a 25 by 8-meter showstopper wall played host to a 2Heads-created film sequence, moving from a visual immersion into Bombardier’s wellness features to a once-an-hour, on-the-hour ‘video event’ where a carefully crafted 3D reel wowed audiences worldwide.

1.618 Digital partnered with 2HEADS to develop a number of sonic features for the event. From bespoke music playlists and designed soundscapes created for productive business meetings, dining and relaxation. Culminating in an evocative immersive soundtrack to accompany the 3D animation on a big screen taking the audience around the world with its musical themes.

Significant highlights include:

  • 7000 visitors
  • 1500 VIP guests hosted
  • 50 VVIP guests invited to the C-Suite experience
  • 1 million plus views of the showstopper content and G8000 Bombardier jet launch shared worldwide
  • Bombardier’s environment featured on the cover of the EBACE show magazine

For more information visit 2HEADS’ official case study below.

2HEADS Case Study: https://www.2heads.com/work/brand-experience-ebace/

Image Credit: 2HEADS

02 Oct 2022

MARBLE ARCH CAVE VR TOUR

By 1618digital

MARBLE ARCH CAVE VR TOUR: 360° Virtual Tour
CLIENT: Tourism Northern Ireland
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Solarflare Studio
OUR ROLE: Sound Design, Music, 3D Audio Post Production

“Journey into The Depths of Ireland’s Core in VR

During Covid restrictions, part of Ireland’s only UNESCO Global Geopark, Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh, was unable to welcome visitors. Teaming up with BBDO Dublin, we developed a virtual experience for Tourism Northern Ireland that allowed users to take a journey through the beautiful Irish landscape down to the depths of Ireland’s core, viewing the stunning underground cave network. Immersing them in the rich and expansive environment, the experience became available from the safety of their home via a 360 film and a virtual reality experience at the Visitor Centre.

A Strategic VR Tool for The Tourism Industry

Shot in 6k with spatial audio, we worked with BBDO Dublin to ensure the narrative for the shoot maximised the quality and opportunity of panoramic viewing. Allowing you to see, listen and feel as if you’re there, this immersive simulation was presented as an explorable 360 film and a VR experience.”

For more information and a full credit list, visit Solarflare Studio official case study page below.

Solarflare Studio Case Study: https://solarflarestudio.co.uk/work/marble-arch-cave-vr-tour/

Image Credit: Solarflre Studio

28 Aug 2022

Wimbledon’s Virtual Hill 2022

By 1618digital

WIMBLEDON’S VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE: Gamified 3D Digital Experience for Web and Mobile
BRAND: Amex
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Solarflare Studio
OUR ROLE: Sound Design

In the previous iteration, Solarflare Studio developed an interactive social experience featuring avatars, emojis, strawberry costumes and mullets, creating an unforgettable digital experience to keep fans connected and feeling the Championship spirit. Now returning for a second year, The Virtual Hill is a more explorable and gamified version of its predecessor. Creating a social metaverse for the 2022 Wimbledon Grand Slam. It allows spectators to deepen their relationship with the history of the sport through a fun and engaging experience outside of the physical space of Wimbledon, with more features, prizes, picnic spots and customisation.

Solarflare Studio Case Study: https://solarflarestudio.co.uk/work/wimbledons-virtual-hill-returns/

Image Credit: Solarflare Studio

04 May 2022

Alice in VR Wonderland

By 1618digital

ALICE IN VR WONDERLAND: Immersive Theatre in 360 & VR
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Jasmin Vardimon
DOP & EDITOR: James Robert Brown
OUR ROLE: Location Sound Recording, Sound Design and 3D Sound Post Production
FULL CREDIT LIST: https://jasminvardimon.com/productions/alice-vr-wonderland/credits/

Step out of the ordinary and into the unexpected, fantastical, and fearless world of Alice – a multi-sensory virtual reality experience. This unique dance theatre VR experience is an imaginative adaptation of the timeless story ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Feel up close with the performers in a magical adventure and be completely immersed in a VR Wonderland. Using Oculus 2 headsets, audiences are immersed in a spectacular 360-degree wonderland with 3D sound. See Alice in VR Wonderland on the last Friday of every month at JVh.o.m.e.

Click here to book your tickets now! Alice in VR Wonderland is also available to present to audiences now. If you are a promoter, please email us at [email protected] to arrange a viewing.

This innovative new project is supported by McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, Arts Council England, Gulbenkian Arts Centre / iCCi, Kent County Council and DanceEast.

For more information, visit Jasmin Vardimon Productions official case study page below.

Jasmin Vardimon Productions Case Study: https://jasminvardimon.com/productions/alice-vr-wonderland/

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/01/two-years-ago-it-was-impossible-how-tech-turns-dance-into-a-multisensory-fantasy

Image Credit: Jasmin Vardimon Productions

27 Feb 2022

First Life VR with David Attenborough

By 1618digital

FIRST LIFE WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: VR Animation
GENRE: Nature/ Science
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Alchemy Immersive / Atlantic Productions / Zoo VFX / Oculus VR
OUR ROLE: Spatial Sound Design, Dubbing

Join David Attenborough on an epic journey 350 billion years into the past to experience the origin of life on Earth.

In more than 60 years of broadcasting, David Attenborough has travelled the globe to document the living world in all its wonder. Now, with Alchemy Immersive and MetaQuest, he travels back in time using VR to bring to life long-extinct fossils that unlock the secrets of what the very first animals on our planet were like, how they moved and how they thrived.

At a quality unprecedented for immersive media, journey back over 350 billion years, to plot the story of how life evolved from single-celled organisms into the ferocious predators that stalked the seafloor. Putting on an Oculus Quest 2, users will have the opportunity to come face to face with bizarre creatures such as the five-eyed Opabinia, the fearsome-looking Anomalocaris, and the spiny worm-like Hallucigenia – scientifically accurate animations bring them vividly to life. First Life shows us how evolutionary features of the first creatures have passed to modern animals, including humans, giving us an amazing insight into the remarkable evolutionary journey that has brought us the animal kingdom we know today. Now available on Oculus TV.

First Life was created out of the mutual desire of both Meta Quest and Alchemy Immersive, to push the boundaries of computer-generated immersive media production. One of its key goals was to inform studios and creators around the world how to further immerse mobile VR users in virtual worlds, without being subject to the limitations of real-time computation. By pre-rendering complex computer-generated immersive stories in stereoscopic 8K 60fps video, First Life presents a new milestone for beautiful natural history storytelling while also setting a new bar for quality in mobile VR headsets. First Life showcases the potential and power of immersive storytelling by creating an experience impossible in any other format, outside of the constraints of real-time game-engine computation. Utilising world-leading paleontological research from global experts and breakthroughs in CGI technology, Alchemy Immersive created scientifically accurate 3D models and animation in collaboration with ZOO VFX.

Behind The Scenes

Alchemy Immersive Case Study: https://alchemyimmersive.com/productions/david-attenboroughs-first-life-2/

Alchemy Immersive Oculus Page: https://creator.oculus.com/community/2319730815002569/

Image Credit: Atlantic Productions

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