Concept
The UN designates life below water as a crucial but overlooked sustainable development goal. Whales, vital for global marine ecosystems and climate regulation, face threats from plastic pollution and hazards like fishing gear. Our VR project highlights a tragic real-life incident in 2019 when a pregnant sperm whale died from ingesting 22 kg of plastic in Sardinia, Italy. Using Unreal Engine, Cinema 4D, and Houdini, we crafted an immersive VR experience on the Oculus Quest, aiming to evoke awe, concern, and hope for the preservation of whales and their habitats.
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Process
To craft the immersive interactive VR experience "Whale Fall," we interviewed marine biologists, VR experts, and even artists to understand whales' significance and human impact on deep-sea ecosystems. Based on artistic documentation, we created storyboards showcasing cinematic whale falls. Utilising Unreal Engine, C4D, and Houdini, we modeled an underwater environment with marine life and a submerged city. Tutorials and collaboration with technicians brought the vision to life, depicting the profound effects of marine pollution on whales and their ecosystems.
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Narrative
The experience starts with the players on the ocean floor who look up to see a deceased sperm whale, her body entangled in a ghost net, slowly falling toward them from the ocean surface. After she falls on the ground, the interactive experience begins and the players can walk around the whale’s body. As they get closer and see her body entangled in nets and human generated trash, they are nudged to pick it up. Their actions trigger the decomposition of the whale’s body and blooming of the marine ecosystem. Witnessing first-hand how their proactive efforts to clean up the oceans contribute to the thriving of the marine ecosystem, the experience ends with a sense of hope.
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