Syfy ushers in VR’s Halcyon days with first hybrid series
Television storytelling is set to enter new territory with Syfy’s Halcyon, a crime drama described as the first ever hybrid VR scripted series. DQ takes a closer look. While Syfy is used to travelling across space and exploring new planets, its latest series really is out of this world. Described as the first ever hybrid VR scripted series, Halcyon will blend traditional storytelling with virtual reality, with viewers getting the chance to step into this ground-breaking new show. The 15-part police procedural, created and produced by multi-platform studio Secret Location, alternates between 10 linear episodes on Syfy and five VR episodes exclusively available via Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR. Set in 2040, the storyline centres on Blake Creighton (Michael Therriault), who is CEO of Halcyon, the world’s leading VR company. Having cornered the VR market, Halcyon has discarded headsets and now allows users to access virtual space via neurological implants that manipulate the senses to create a virtual world. However, when Creighton is found dead, presumed murdered, Detective Jules Dover (Lisa Marcos) and her partner Asha (Harveen Sandhu, pictured top) must investigate whether this is the world’s first virtual crime. The series will launch on Syfy’s channels and websites outside the US on September 22. Those who are only watching linear episodes will be able to see short recaps of the VR episodes to ensure they can follow the complete storyline. Here, series director Benjamin Arfmann, Secret Location creative director Stefan Grambart and actress Harveen Sandhu discuss Halcyon and … Continue reading Syfy ushers in VR’s Halcyon days with first hybrid series
