‘Somnia’ is an interactive narrative of space, technology, and isolation. The VR experience, currently in development, marks the first original IP from Framestore VR Studio.
Debuting on Madefire’s platform at Comic Con New York is the VR comic prequel ‘Somnia: Origins’, a self-contained story which precedes the impending ‘Somnia’ series. Set in late 1980’s Copenhagen, ‘Somnia: Origins’ features an international group of neuroscience graduate students using first-generation virtual reality headsets to further their research on human visualisation. By night, they explore the impossible using homemade audio loops that evoke vivid lucid dreams. While exchanging tapes, one student, Eric, mentions that his latest loop conjured a brooding, paunchy older man who called himself The Master. Upon trying Eric’s tape, another student, Yasu, is shocked when this same character appears in his dream. Who is The Master? And what are his intentions?
The newest version of the award-winning Madefire Motion Books and Comics app features further world-class content optimised for VR reading, including:
Revolution — The brand-new universe from IDW and Hasbro
Somnia: Origins — The new original title from world-renowned visual effects studio, Framestore
Injustice: Year One — The smash-hit comic from DC Comics
Planet of the Apes: Memorial – The first episode in the creator initiative from Twentieth Century Fox and Madefire
MONO: The Old Curiosity Shop — The award-winning Madefire Original
The yet-to-be-released ‘Somnia’ begins simply: a starship, a child-like robot, and an epic quest to save the world. Memories reveal our hero’s past. These alternate with tasks and explorations aboard the vessel and across our solar system. Genres and techniques collide as virtual reality is both the subject of, and the vehicle for, this startling and exciting journey.
The project is part of the slate of Framestore Ventures, the internal incubator and development arm of Framestore, which has also invested in Madefire. Other investors include Plus Capital, and several of the top creators in the world including Kevin Spacey and Drake. Existing investors and new strategic investors also include True Ventures, Big Loud Capital and Anthem Ventures.