By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Virtual Reality games continue to gain traction, as MGM Interactive and Survios have released CREED: RISE TO GLORY as a VR game on PlayStation.
Survios is a world leader in VR gaming, and has worked on license with MGM Interactive on a game that coincides with the theatrical release of CREED III.
CREED: RISE TO GLORY – CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION is actually a remaster of the conventional video game, but will feature new characters, costumes and locations based on the film. The VR remaster will arrive on the PlayStation VR2 platform on April 4.
“CREED: RISE TO GLORY was hugely successful with fans of the franchise and we’re looking forward to bringing this new, remastered game, CREED: RISE TO GLORY – CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION to them,” said Robert Marick, Head of MGM Consumer Products. “The new game will be a great way for audiences to continue to immerse themselves in the story of Adonis Creed, which is sure to capture the imaginations of fans of the first two films and the upcoming third installment.”
VR adoption has been a long time coming, largely because early renditions of the technology were not that comfortable for users. Current models are much lighter, slimmer, and are connected only to a single wire, and in some cases, not wired in at all.
That’s starting to drive much wider adoption of VR experiences, and in turn, more licensing opportunities for this new form of entertainment. As well, higher adoption of VR increases participation in the metaverse, which is already a major licensing category.
That said, Virtual Reality is still in the early adoption stage as a technology. According to the software specialist publication G2, 171 million people were using VR technology in 2022, with about 70.8 million of those in the United States, equalling about 21% of the population. As well, 48% of Americans have had at least one VR experience, and an encouraging 80% who have tried VR said the experience was either “very positive” or “somewhat positive.”
At the moment, about 60% of adoption is for business enterprise purposes, but games like CREED: RISE TO GLORY are expected to drive more adoption.
In the new CREED VR2 game, users will play as Adonis Creed, son of heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, as they train hard in the gym under the tutelage of the legendary Rocky Balboa. Players then take on various boxers from the films in the quest to become the world champion.
Importantly, the improvements in technology for the PlayStation VR2 greatly improve the quality of game play. MGM Interactive and Survios say the game will have enhanced, 4K graphics, and players can see more naturally with a 110 degree field of view. Improved hand controllers add precision to the boxing gameplay, while new “impact haptics’ in the headset and the controllers let you know when you’ve been hit. There’s even 3D audio in the headset, so you can hear your trainer Rocky Balboa yelling from behind you in the corner.
“We’re thrilled to pair up again with MGM and expand on what CREED: RISE TO GLORY has to offer for old and new fans alike,” said TQ Jefferson, Chief Product Officer at Survios. “Fights have never felt more visceral, as we intend to deliver an even more immersive boxing experience, only possible with the hardware and features of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2.”
CREED III is also expected to be a major tentpole film for 2023. Michael B. Jordan returns as Adonis Creed, who has been thriving in both his career and family life, but faces a new challenge when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, and is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight.
If this third installment is as successful as the first two films, it could also drive much wider adoption of the VR game.
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