The Revolution of 1897 in Crete

As digitization has transformed media and Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have evolved from a research area to a commodity, digital media content creators are experimenting with VR digital storytelling. Most VR experiences are developed in a lean-back 360 immersive format with limited viewer interaction. This work presents an innovative, first person Point of View (POV) highly interactive VR documentary titled “The Revolution of 1897 in Crete” aiming to enhance interactivity, eliminate character-related uncanny valley effects, promote non-obtrusive subtitle placement and techniques for familiarization with complicated VR controllers. 

Viewers are active participants through interactive tasks involving sound and music, supporting “doing” rather than just observing. In collaboration with National Research Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” we created a storytelling VR Experience about the last revolution of 1897 in Crete. Audiences visit Venizelo’s office and are prompted to help him in the freedom of the island of Crete. Audience are introduced to stories that led to the revolution.