Tender Claws, the creative minds behind distinctive virtual reality endeavors like Stranger Things VR (2024) and the groundbreaking Virtual Virtual Reality (2017), are once again poised to captivate audiences with their latest project. This new venture, intriguingly centered around the concept of perspective-shifting through eye contact, is making its debut at SXSW this week.
Titled Face Jumping, this experience promises to be another of Tender Claws’ signature, unconventional explorations into the realm of virtual reality. Set to premiere on the Meta Quest Pro, Face Jumping will be featured with numerous other innovative projects at the XR Experience Exhibition, taking place at SXSW’s Fairmont venue next week.
In a session lasting 30 minutes, participants will engage in eye-tracked interactions, allowing them to switch perspectives simply by locking eyes with characters, creatures, and inanimate objects. Tender Claws describes Face Jumping as an invitation for players to delve into the nuances of vision and perception, raising profound questions about consciousness and the connections we forge with others through a mere glance.
While recently celebrated for their work on Stranger Things VR, the Los Angeles-based studio also made waves with The Under Presents (2019), a theatrical experience weaving live performances with interactions for audiences at home.
Face Jumping is hailed as a nod to Tender Claws’ foundational love for experimental storytelling, rich narrative layers, and whimsical explorations of the interface between technology and human connection.
Regarding distribution beyond its SXSW debut, where the experience will be available to badge holders from March 9th to 11th in Austin, Texas, the studio has yet to announce any plans. Given its reliance on eye-tracking technology, the experience could potentially be adapted for various platforms, such as Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest Pro, and PSVR 2. We’re in touch with the studio to confirm these possibilities and will update this information as soon as further details emerge.
