Exploring Oktoberfest Wearing Virtual Reality Goggles
The anticipation is building: September 21 marks the beginning of Oktoberfest in Munich. Regrettably, numerous people yearn to attend the world's largest folk festival but are unable to do so. A pioneering tech company steps in to solve this predicament, engineering a digital version that simply necessitates a bit of training.
For the moment, the gates remain enclosed by construction barriers. Come September 21, approximately six million revelers will flock to Oktoberfest. However, virtual Oktoberfest enthusiasts are already out and about, as the event has commenced earlier: With VR goggles, Oktoberfest aficionados can already traverse the festive grounds. Another virtual rendition gets underway upon the first beer tap.
Note of warning: Tread lightly in the digital realm. Even without consuming beer, novices can still stumble while navigating the festival ground. Mastering the VR goggles takes some practice.
Young guides assist visitors throughout the Wiesn
The current virtual tour, already accessible, is led by Felix and Leah, a deaf duo. Their goal is to allow individuals who cannot attend the event in person participate in some way, says Christoph Ostler, CEO and founder of Connected Reality and the brainchild behind the project vr4kids-inclusion. "Inclusion is the keyword."
Guests can assume Felix and Leah's roles, exploring the folk festival from their perspective: They take a ride on the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, ghost train - or plunge right into a nut stand. The eldest individual to don the VR glasses and delve into the Wiesn thus far was 96 years old, according to Ostler. She mused, "Now I may once again attend the Wiesn."
This is not exclusive to disadvantaged or disabled children, but for anyone unable to attend the festival, says Ostler. Leah communicates in sign language, while Felix provides visitors with a few Wiesn terms in their respective language. Also available now is an English version.
Virtual Wiesn adventure game
International visitors can anticipate the advent of the real Oktoberfest with the virtual reality game "Oktoberfest - The Official Game" by Munich studio K5 Factory, an authorized licensee of Oktoberfest's organizers. It transports visitors to a completely different, comically-styled Wiesn scene, genuinely embodying the festival: Ferris wheel, Schichtl, flea circus, devil's wheel, authentic beer tents - the real Wiesn, only more vibrant.
The game's target audience includes Wiesn enthusiasts who cannot attend the festival. The creators have a global outlook. The game begins - catering primarily to the main target market, United States - directly in English; a Bavarian version may eventually be introduced, but primarily as a humorous gesture.
"In our games, the primary language is English," says K5 Factory founder and CEO Oliver Simon. Further ventures to European markets and even to the Chinese market are underway, adds CEO Thomas Wagner.
The idea arose during the pandemic. "We needed to develop virtual spaces for private and corporate purposes," says Oliver Simon. "And: How can we make things immersive for individuals unable to attend?"
The visitor "materializes" - or "teleports" - himself as an avatar via a beam of light onto the festival. Beginners might require a few attempts based on their skill level to initiate the teleportation. Entry is free, just like at the actual Oktoberfest. However, one must shell out play money or real euros to enjoy rides or don traditional attire, such as dirndls and lederhosen.
Colliding with friends or other visitors upon the festival grounds is possible. Newcomers might occasionally bump into others, slightly disoriented by the VR experience. Authentic brass music and the murmur of voices from the tents can be heard - real recordings from Oktoberfest. Virtual pretzels are available, as are virtual attractions ranging from throw a ring to thrilling rides like the drop tower and top spin. Suggestion: Sit down in the real world before the virtual adventure begins.
Getting motion sickness is relatively easier in this realm than at the actual festival. Those who suffer from motion sickness amidst fast rides with a queasy stomach will find the VR headset an entertaining challenge. Sensory confusion arises due to a mismatch between perceived movement and actual movement, leading to motion sickness - similar to seasickness, where the brain struggles to process the ship's movement accurately.
As a result, visitors cannot partake in carnival rides at vr4kids inclusion or the Oktoberfest game at K5 Factory that spin rapidly. "Spinning objects tend to induce motion sickness quickly," explains K5 Factory CEO Thomas Wagner. "We are extra cautious, especially at the outset."
Ostler and his team are considerably more cautious: They only offer a slide, a bumper car, and a slowly rotating Ferris wheel to guests for now.
The team behind the virtual Oktoberfest does not believe that the digital experience detracts from the joy of the real Oktoberfest. They argue that the opportunity to virtually visit various tourist destinations has shown that people enjoy experiencing these places in reality later.
Experience events through VR headsets that one might not otherwise have access to - the concept is not new. Ostler and his team also have a tour of the Allianz Arena tunnel and a dolphin swimmings programmed, along with a wheelchair basketball training session. Their aim is to motivate disabled children to try the sport themselves, says Ostler.
The K5 Factory squad has additional ventures apart from the Wiesn: "We're working on transforming Banksy's Walled Off Hotel into a VR adventure," shares Wagner. They're meticulously recreating the closed hotel in Bethlehem, West Bank, due to political issues, in intricate virtual reality detail. Visitors can delve into the hotel's past and admire Banksy's art through a virtual expedition led by a tiny feathered friend.
The October Festival enthusiasts who are unable to attend the physical event in Munich due to various reasons can now participate virtually, thanks to the digital version initiated by Connected Reality. The digital version includes a virtual tour led by Felix and Leah, allowing visitors to explore the folk festival from their perspective.
For those outside Germany, an authorized virtual reality game called "Oktoberfest - The Official Game" by Munich studio K5 Factory can be an exciting alternative. This game transports players to a vibrant Wiesn scene, complete with authentic attractions and experiences.
