The New York Times turns to virtual reality for a new form of storytelling

The New York Times has taken its first step into virtual reality, launching a new app and distributing a Google cardboard viewer that offers “a new form of storytelling”.

Subscribers can download the mobile app and use it alone, or enhance the experience by using headphones and the special virtual-reality viewer, which “simulates richly immersive scenes” and offers a 360-degree view.

“This new filmmaking technology enables an uncanny feeling of connection with people whose lives are far from our own,” wrote Jake Silverstein, editor of The Times Magazine.

To launch the app, the magazine has profiled three children displaced by war and persecution – Oleg, 11, from eastern Ukraine, Hana, 12, from Syria and Chuol, 9, from South Sudan. A multimedia documentary includes photos essays, text, and the virtual-reality film.

The Times has produced another virtual-reality film, Walking New York in conjunction with French artist JR.

The newspaper said US-based subscribers of its Sunday edition would receive free Google Cardboard VR viewers by November 8, which usually cost around US$30. The app is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.