Fishermen Integrated launch The Monsoon Cup Motion 360 Virtual Reality Boat Simulator

Fishermen Integrated have just launched the latest innovation in immersive digital experiences, The Monsoon Cup Motion 360 Virtual Reality Boat Simulator – the world’s first immersive virtual sailing simulator.

The Fishermen Integrated team unveiled the custom-built platform on Monday this week, at the launch of the Monsoon Cup 2016, to an excited audience of sailboat racing enthusiasts as well as participants and special guests of the annual regatta, held in Puteri Harbour Marina.

Combining the physical and the digital, the virtual simulator allows participants to experience sailboat racing like never before. By stepping onto the custom-built motion platform and pulling on a Google Cardboard VR headset with YouTube 360 integration – participants can virtually ride-along inside a sailboat as it races along the Johor coast. The platform moves with the motion of the virtual boat, while the VR headset provides 360-degree visual immersion.

The goal of the Simulator was to bring the exhilarating sailing action to spectators in the most realistic way possible.

“At this year’s Monsoon Cup, we wanted to do something completely new and innovative – by bringing the racing action to people on the ground, and not just those on the sea,” said Arif Yap, Director of Monsoon Cup Malaysia. “Fishermen Integrated helped bring that idea to life by creating the Simulator. We’re very proud that it’s the first of its kind – a world’s first, right here in Malaysia.”

From sound to sight, movement to motion – The Monsoon Cup Motion 360 Virtual Reality Boat Simulator is the latest in immersive experiential technology that is changing the world. The 360-degree video used in the simulator was shot by Fishermen Integrated, with real sailors racing on the open ocean, to create the most realistic experience on the simulator.

“At Fishermen, we sought to bring the experience and thrill of sailing to the spectators,” said Joyce Gan, Head of Brand at Fishermen Integrated. “We wanted to create an immersive experience of audio, visuals and motion that’s never been done before. This led us to utilizing the latest 360-video technology and combining it with a motion simulator – creating a powerful, memorable experience for the audience.”

The latest innovation by Fishermen Integrated is in line with their mandate to always push the boundaries of technology for their clients, resulting in a completely different approach to digital marketing. Fishermen Integrated is best known as the creators of the award-winning “Kuching Happy campaign”, on behalf of client Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN). The campaign took home a slew of awards at last month’s Kancil Awards, including the prestigious Golden Kancil.