Legendary author of 80’s cyberpunk thriller Neuromancer, a book in which he famously coined the term ‘cyberspace’, takes a spin in virtual reality courtesy of Samsung’s Gear VR. It seems he was suitably impressed.

At TED 2015 in Vancouver last week, author Wiliam Gibson was visiting his friend, fellow writer Neil Gaiman. At some point, someone, somewhere produced a Gear VR, resulting in these surprising images.

The Gear VR belonged to M ss ng P eces (yes, that’s really their name), an entertainment production company specialising in “the limitless potential of the web”. According to the company’s founder, Ari Kuschnir, Gibson experienced Felix and Paul’s 360 short film Strangers, and “another branded VRFilm”.

Upon trying the headset, Gibson remarked to Gaiman “They did it!”. One of those moments we’d have killed to be around for.

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Paul James
Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • paul

    90’s? Neuromancer was published in 1984!

    • Paul James

      Considering I read it myself in the 80s that’s an irritating typo on my part. Fixed, thanks.