The intersection of TV entertainment and immersive technologies.
Galactig took on the challenge of producing a groundbreaking TV gameshow for young people that seamlessly incorporated the latest VR technologies. The innovation question at the heart of this project was, “How can we create an immersive and physically engaging TV experience for young audiences?” Our answer to this question was “Space Scavengers.”
Through collaborative funding from Clwstwr and S4C, we embarked on the journey to bring Space Scavengers to life. Unlike traditional gameshows, Space Scavengers goes beyond merely watching kids play computer games. The show immerses contestants in a virtual world, enabling them to interact with the environment and collaborate with each other within a narrative-driven storyline set 200 years in the future aboard a derelict space station.
The integration of VR technologies allowed us to push the boundaries of imagination. The fully immersive and physical nature of VR became a cornerstone of our creative approach. Filming in mixed reality, we tracked physical cameras in a chroma key studio, introducing innovation not only in content but also in the underlying processes and techniques developed during our extensive research and development phase.
Securing funding enabled us to explore the commercial viability of our proposition. We successfully produced both an English pilot and a Welsh-language broadcastable pilot for S4C, a remarkable feat given the cutting-edge nature of this R&D project. The development of new original IP and innovative processes around the integration of VR gameplay and mixed reality filming showcased our commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Many months were dedicated to building prototype 3D environments, testing our unique mixed reality filming approach, and developing narrative beats and gameplay. Our bespoke solution allowed for broadcast-quality renders with live footage derived from Meta Quest VR gameplay. The final stage involved working with virtual footage—our entire sets were virtual—and seamlessly combining it with live-action gaming footage in the edit.
