VR is magical and can take us anywhere we want, across time and through space. But, instead of connecting us with distant places, what if it could connect us with distant people?

When we found out that a third of parents can’t be with their child at bedtime we saw an exciting new role for VR, actual storytelling. Translating the traditional bedtime story into a shared VR experience, uniting parent and child when being physically together is impossible.

Wearing individual VR headsets, (cardboard mask for child, Samsung VR Gear for parent), they find themselves in a shared adventure where they can see and speak to each other. Parent and child embark on a journey across varied worlds, guided by three toy characters. But it is only on their return home that they realise the most wonderful place to be isn’t some far off land, but by each other’s side.

When it came to building the platform our challenge was creating a virtual space that worked socially, allowing natural interaction. We had to think in ‘worlds’ transposing the elements of a traditional storybook into a virtual experience, complete with beautiful illustrations, rhyming words, chapters and page-turns.

The environments have been carefully designed using animated projected brushwork textures and stop-motion animation to be gentle and calming to help get children ready for sleep and avoid motion sickness. The VR experience is supported by make-your-own cardboard masks – made and worn by the child - and panoramic posters, extending the story into the real world.

While our families received the app, influencers received bespoke DM packs. These featured immersive films (including a 360 walk-through), the cardboard masks, poster artwork and links to a centralised hub of content. The packs brought the concept to life and added further richness to the experience.

The extensive press coverage of Samsung Bedtime VR Stories’ initial launch has been both widespread and thought provoking.

For all those who have experienced the app first hand, the response has been one of positivity and amazement. This has been driven by the application of an abstract technology in such a useful and entertaining way. Unsurprisingly, this view has also been shared by many journalists who have covered the initiative.

However, the app has also provoked discussion amongst a smaller audience about the future of VR and what role technology should play in our lives. This is not only to be expected but also encouraged as part and parcel of Samsung’s role at the forefront of innovation and development.

Moving forward, Samsung intends to take a holistic view of the response to Bedtime VR Stories in developing the platform.