Challenged by Choices : Narrative and Virtual Reality – a Symbiosis or Antibiosis?

With this panel we propose a discussion of the narrative strategies in Virtual Reality and 360°-videos. Through the experience of our recent projects, we have identified certain prerequisites for effective plotting and successful worldbuilding in immersive environments. Storytelling, even for the spherical screen or the headset, is all about targeting and capturing the recipient’s attention. However, whether these immersive environments should offer the freedom to move around and discover – or even create – a narrative at one’s own pace – or whether the line of sight should be directed according to the narrative depends largely on the project and its intention.

With the selected projects and panellists, different approaches to the symbiosis of 360° immersive environments, narrative storylines with all their offered choices will be presented and discussed.