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IMAX Embraces Virtual Reality, To Open Six VR Theaters This Year (theverge.com)
An anonymous reader writes: IMAX is getting into the virtual reality business. Tthe company has announced that it is teaming up with Google to build cinema-quality virtual reality video cameras. It is also planning to launch virtual reality "locations." The cinemas will be opened in shopping malls, much like traditional movie theatres. There are six reportedly planned for this year, including in Los Angeles and China. From the Verge report: IMAX chief executive Richard Gelfond told The WSJ that he imagined that the VR content would be tied to existing movie franchises, that they would last around 10 minutes and cost between $7 and $10. The idea, suggests Gelfond, is to create a VR experience that's better than what you can get at home -- the same way that a movie theater is better than your living room TV.
I really hate to be "that guy" since I'm actually pretty excited for what VR can bring to entertainment but... A room full of people with VR headsets on who can't see the room around them. I am not looking forward to the first time some crazy decides to shoot one of these up. Or one of them has a major fire or other emergency.
"Wow Bob, the surround sound is amazing. Those gunshots sound so real! Wait, why are their gunshots in Fried Green Tomatoes 2? Bob?.... Bob?"
I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.