In the age of emerging artificial intelligence technologies and virtual-reality simulations comes a new wave of groundbreaking digital media for audiences to enjoy.
Production and visual effects companies like Greenville-based SoKrispyMedia focus on new technology to make immersive experiences.
Co-founder Sam Wickert said a tool that helps them to expand their content creation and visual effects services is Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. The game-engine software allows SoKrispyMedia to develop and add interactive visual effects both “faster and cheaper.”
While the company has used the software since 2016, SoKrispyMedia announced in May it has received Epic Games’ Epic MegaGrant.
“The grant (will) allow us to further our work utilizing Unreal Engine to create high-level visual effects similar to what we did with this quick game project, similar to what we do on our YouTube channel,” Wickert said. “And on top of that, it is leading us to this ability to utilize it to create more interactive experiences.”
Wickert said the company has used Unreal Engine on several projects, including the pre-visualization work they did on HBO’s “The Last of Us.”
“(Pre-visualization) is the making (of) scenes from the show before they do anything — before they shoot anything on set,” Wickert said. “Our company actually utilized Unreal Engine to do live demonstrations of shooting in the locations that they were going to shoot on before anyone stepped foot on set for the show.”
The company also used the software when working on the “Squid Game” project with YouTuber MrBeast. Wickert said they were able to create a minigame for audiences to play.
“So, as a company, what we’re really looking forward to is utilizing the engine further. We kind of tested the waters with the “Squid Game” project,” Wickert said.
While still creating immersive film, TV and commercial content, creators at SoKrispyMedia are developing two interactive video games. Wickert said it will be the first time the company has produced a full video game.
“We’re largely prototyping right now and then we’re hoping to have a vertical slice of the piece of content done by the end of summer,” Wickert said. “It’ll be playable and from there we will reassess on how much further we are interested in building the world and also potentially partnering with individuals to make it even better than it will be.”
