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Pandemic Silences Magic Leap's Most Ambitious VR Story
28 Oct
Summary
- The Last Light, an interactive mixed reality story, remains unreleased.
- Magic Leap cut its workforce by half amidst pandemic disruptions.
- The project was set for SXSW debut before festival cancellation.
In April 2020, Magic Leap, a mixed reality startup, significantly reduced its staff, halting consumer plans. Amidst these changes, a project named 'The Last Light,' an interactive story focusing on a young woman's grief, was nearing completion. This project was intended to demonstrate mixed reality's narrative capabilities.
Magic Leap Studios, the division responsible, aimed to keep the company's creative side alive as it shifted focus to enterprise clients. 'The Last Light' was their most ambitious endeavor, designed to be a powerful, artistic experience that leveraged mixed reality's unique blend of physical and virtual space.
The project was selected for the SXSW Film Festival's Virtual Cinema Competition in early 2020, marking a significant opportunity for exposure. However, the festival's subsequent cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to further setbacks.
Following the SXSW cancellation and the broader impact of the coronavirus, Magic Leap underwent substantial layoffs, including most of the team behind 'The Last Light.' The company secured new investment and shifted its focus towards enterprise solutions with Magic Leap 2.
Despite being nearly finished, 'The Last Light' remains in limbo, with Magic Leap stating they are exploring release options. Its creators are hopeful for its release, which would showcase their work and Magic Leap's creative potential beyond business applications.
