CGO Studios has re-affirmed its commitment to educating the world by recreating historical moments in virtual reality, after CEO and cofounder Jonah Hirsch just announced the production of its third VR film, Everest ’53.
This news comes after Hirsch’s joint efforts with AMD and the Smithsonian earned them a spot in the Top 5 VR Experiences at Comic-Con in 2015 for their retelling of the Wright Brothers’ famous flight in Kitty Hawk using the cutting edge technology. Soon after, the studio announced that they were in production of Anne, a VR film that will depict Anne Frank and the Secret Annex.
CGO’s first production took viewers along for the Wright Brother’s achievement of the first powered, manned flight.
Now following those two innovative films, will be a historically accurate recollection of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s extraordinary journey of being the first climbers make it to the summit of Mount Everest on May 29th, 1953. Many before them died attempting what they did, and now CGO Studios is reimagining the ground breaking moments with VR technology of what is quite possibly one of the last major feats of physical human achievements. The VR film will feature the climbers’ sons, Peter Hillary, Jamling Tenzing, and Norbu Tenzing who have also risked their lives to reach the world’s highest peak at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters).
Photo of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay via Wikipedia
Though the sons didn’t have to use an old wooden ice ax to aid them in their modern day trek up to the summit, the intimate knowledge of their father’s experience of climbing the mountain will help them in creating the utmost accurate portrayal.
“We are honored that the families and caretakers of these historical figures and historic events entrust us with their legacies, and allow us to tell their important story using the new technologies at our disposal,” explained Hirsch. “We strive to engage, educate, and entertain people and to use our virtual “time-machine” to transport them to some of history’s milestone moments in a profound and meaningful way.”
One of the ways in which Hirsch and his team will transport people into the past will be with Oculus’ Rift and Touch controllers. The Oculus Rift’s advanced display technology combined with its precise, low-latency constellation tracking system and adjustable design will allow viewers to feel as if they are actually on Mount Everest. You can even interact with the dangerous landscape by using the Touch controller to virtually climb the same route that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did back in 1953.
While no release date has been set for the film, you can check out more information about Everest ’53 and other historical VR films on CGO Studio’s website.
