Ladbury PR

Creative technology studio Mbryonic transforms renowned concert venue into huge virtual instrument

Renowned concert venue Sage Gateshead and digital arts commissioner and website The Space have launched a brilliant new app developed by creative technology studio Mbryonic and Atomhawk Design, which transforms Sage Gateshead into a virtual music instrument. The app is called Play Sage Gateshead and invites players to enter a virtual reality where they can beat floors, bang balustrades and bash walls to create their own percussive music tracks.

Tom Szirtes, Director of Mbryonic says, “Play Sage Gateshead is a fully immersive experience, which explores how digital technologies can be used to link the physical and virtual world. At Mbryonic we enjoy working with devices like the Oculus Rift headset to uncover new ways to create immersive experiences to make deeper connections between audiences, artists and brands.”

Adam Kent, Innovations Manager, Sage Gateshead, says, “Working on Play Sage Gateshead with Mbryonic has been a real joy for us here at Sage Gateshead. It is a very new form of commission for us and Mrbyonic’s expertise and creative flair has played a central role in bringing it to life.”

Ruth Mackenzie, launch CEO, The Space, says, 'I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Sage Gateshead’s 10th birthday than to transform the building into a virtual musical instrument that audiences can play from anywhere in the world.'

Play Sage Gateshead is available to download on tablet, smart phone and on virtual reality headset Oculus Rift.

The virtual space was created from floor prints and location photos and brought to life using games development platform Unity. The Oculus Rift version provides total immersion into this alternative reality. Installations in Sage Gateshead have delighted visitors allowing them to experience the building in a totally new light.

www.playsagegateshead.com