(JW Insights) Jun 26 -- iQiyi (爱奇艺) is set to kick off its all-immersive Luoyang virtual reality project in Shanghai, after two months of trial operations, as the Chinese video platform continues to push the boundaries of metaverse tourism, Yicai Global reported on June 21.

Zhang Hang, senior vice president of Beijing-based iQiyi, who is also in charge of content development for Luoyang VR, said, “Luoyang VR brings to life the ancient capital of Luoyang and integrates interactive extensions using real-world space, engines, Inside-out Tracking, as well as VR technology and full-sensory hardware to expand players’ sense of space.”

Developed by iQiyi’s production studio Dreamverse, Luoyang VR has attracted over 5,000 players since it started trial operations in April, and will be rolled out in Luoyang, central China’s Henan Province and Beijing later this year.

On entering the metaverse, players can take a boat ride, drive a carriage and ride a fighting bird across a space of 300 square meters.

An hour-long session costs RMB328 ($45) and each session can accommodate eight people up to a maximum 10 sessions per day. There is also a shorter version that can cater to more people at once.

"The Luoyang VR project demonstrates how incorporating technological innovations and a localized approach when exploring VR commercialization and original IP-based projects can boost both the content market and cultural consumption," Zhang added.

iQiyi, which entered VR entertainment in 2018, is also developing a virtual reality version of the fairy tale ‘Love Between Fairy and Devil’ which is expected to be released next year.

The company is also set to launch three shorter immersive entertainment experiences, Mars Rescue, Kunlun Maze and Apocalyptic Adventure, at the end of this month, according to the Yicai Global report.

(Yuan XY/Gao J)