We still have a long wait until the Blade Runner sequel hits theaters, but there's already a buzz in the air. Despite the doubts, we all want Blade Runner 2049 to be perfect, so this universe can keep growing. That said, why not explore it in virtual reality? Blade Runner 9732 is a project that has been in development for a couple of years, and it will allow us to do something very special: visit Rick Deckard's apartment with an incredible level of detail.
Virtual Reality's Promise
No one disputes that virtual reality carries enormous potential for promoting films and series, or even filming directly within it. But VR still needs to reach the point where it becomes a general technology, widely available, at a reasonable cost. Judging by what the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR have delivered so far, we'll have to wait a good while. Moreover, the famous 'killer app' is still elusive, and at the end of the day, without quality software there is no virtual reality. There's a chance that revolutionary software might come from independent development, which is why we keep such a close eye on it. One that definitely caught our attention is Blade Runner 9732, but it's not a game—it's a virtual tour of an iconic place: Rick Deckard's apartment.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/cdKb4BbYpUUWe remember it very well. The general mess, the noise from the street, dim lights, photographs everywhere, empty or half-finished bottles, the piano, and the constant clash between modern and old… Blade Runner 9732 has done an extraordinary job reproducing all of that, and much more. If my memory serves me right, Rick Deckard lives in a not-so-wealthy part of the city, and the layout of his apartment is confusing, with some areas showing wide open space and others feeling almost claustrophobic. The creator of Blade Runner 9732, Quentin Lengele, only has a few things to adjust (including the bathroom), but more than two years of work are about to conclude.
What's Next?
The final goal is to take all this material and turn it into a virtual experience compatible with modern headsets. For now, the developer only has access to an Oculus Rift DK1, which has essentially stayed behind the times, so there's a hardware issue that needs to be resolved. We'll be watching.
