Fantasynth (2017) is an upcoming VR music experience for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive that takes you on a surreal ride through an abstract world of sharp geometric shapes and eye-catching neon lights. Pulsing to the futuristic beat of track Chez Nous from French electronic musician N’to, Fantasynth is a work of pure imagination, one that is just begging to be longer, weirder and more intense.
The music experience was created by Brighton, UK-based HelloEnjoy, an indie studio known for their commercial 3D work across a range of big names including Disney, Sony, Samsung, Swarovski, Absolut, Interscope, Lexus, Nissan and Peugeot.
Originally conceived for the 2015 Oculus Mobile VR Jam, Fantasynth was at first a bright, low poly world that utilized only a handful of colors, no doubt created out of the necessity to maintain a consistent frame rate on the Gear VR mobile platform for which it was designed.
Today’s Fantasynth shares little in common with the 2015-era Gear VR concept outside of the infectious music track and the general concept of a straight, flat ride through some imposing and altogether weird geometry. With the addition of an array of textures, and complex elements seemingly lifted straight from Blade Runner (1985) and late ’90s Daft Punk videos, Fantasynth takes on a darker, more mature color palette, becoming a true feast for the eyes.
An interactive element, while not available in the pre-alpha we tried, can be toggled on and off in the full version of the experience. Clocking in at around 2.5 minutes, we’re hoping for a longer, more intense dive into the studio’s dream-like world for the full release, because while the svelte textures and wild shapes easily entertain, a ride covering any less than the full 7 minute track would be a shame for both the user and the artist.
No date or pricing information has been established for the full release of Fantasynth.