Blast Theory, pioneers of interactive art, have announced their plans to redevelop their most iconic work, Can You See Me Now?, as a mobile app for iOS and Android. The renowned group is seeking the support of Kickstarter backers to raise £20,000 for the project.
Can You See Me Now? first gained widespread recognition in 2001, well before the rise of smartphones and mobile internet. The game, created in collaboration with the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham, pushed the boundaries of gaming by connecting virtual and physical spaces in real-time. Players would run through a virtual city while being chased by real people, who were running through an actual city. The game toured 22 cities across four continents and captivated audiences worldwide.
With the advancement of technology and the growing popularity of the metaverse, Blast Theory has decided to revive this groundbreaking game for a new generation of players. The redeveloped mobile app will offer an immersive mixed reality experience, exploring themes of presence, absence, and our interconnected lives online.
Matt Adams, Director of Blast Theory, explains, “Can You See Me Now? is a mobile game before mobile games were a genre. Back then, GPS devices were separate and costly pieces of equipment. We even bought an ex-NATO radio mast to set up our own WiFi. We climbed church spires, multi-storey car parks, and even the mast of a ship to get the coverage we needed.”
He further adds, “Now, with the hype surrounding the metaverse and the degraded world of social media, we are once again questioning what community online looks like. How are we connected or disconnected with friends and strangers? In what sense is the online world a shared space? We believe that there is a new generation of players who will love the game.”
Blast Theory has already hired developers and begun the redevelopment process. However, to fully realize their vision, they are turning to the Kickstarter community for support. Backers will have the opportunity to follow the game’s progress and participate in a Kickstarter-exclusive game this summer.
The group needs to reach their Kickstarter goal of £20,000 by Wednesday, 22nd May 2024 to develop the app for iOS and Android. Interested individuals can visit the Kickstarter page for more information and to contribute to this innovative project.
For further information, please contact Jonathan Goode, Communications Manager at Blast Theory, at +44 (0)7850 677 401 or jonny@blasttheory.co.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Blast Theory is a four-time BAFTA Award-nominated group known internationally for their adventurous use of interactive media. They have showcased their work at renowned institutions such as Tate Britain, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, ICC in Tokyo, Sundance Film Festival, the Venice Biennale, and the Royal Opera House. The group has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Nica for Interactive Art at Prix Ars Electronica and the Maverick Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards in the USA.
Assets for media use can be downloaded from the media pack available on their website.
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.