The View-Master is making a comeback and it's bringing Batman:The Animated Series along for the ride. This fall, you’ll be able to interact with scenes from the classic series starring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill in VR, using an upgraded digital version of the old-school View-Master.
Gotham City is under attack in the Batman: Animated Series pack. The Joker, The Riddler and Two-Face have plans wreak havoc across the city. You’ll get to explore the Batcave and fly the Batwing in this VR experience. Featuring Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as the Joker, Loren Lester as Robin (and Tara Strong as Batgirl from the Batman: TAS continuation, The New Batman Adventures ), you’ll feel like you're back in the 90s again.
Mattel collaborated with Google last year to build the 21st century View-Master, which is basically a special Google Cardboard-compatible headset. Mattel has found a unique way to make use of the old 3D reels: a smartphone camera scans over the View-Master reels and projects an augmented reality interface with special features. Mattel partnered with Warner Bros. and OTOY, a cloud graphics company, to deliver the Batman VR experience. OTOY developed ORBX media player, an augmented reality content file and low-latency streaming format available on the Oculus and Gear VR, to produce the best quality holographic content for the Batman: TAS experience.
“The creative energy I put into OTOY goes all the way back to my childhood,” said Jules Urbach, founder and CEO of OTOY, in the announcement press release. “Both Batman: The Animated Series and View-Master were fixtures during that part of my life. It’s a dream come true for me to have the chance to bring them together with Mattel and Warner Bros. Consumer Products and participate in the View-Master’s evolution to VR and beyond.”
Amazon lists the View-Master Batman: The Animated Series Virtual Reality Pack as available Nov. 15.
