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'Gnomes & Goblins' features, release date update: 'Ironman' Actor-director Jon Favreau creates virtual reality game

Kristinova V. Justimbaste September 06, 2016 12:56 AM EST

Director Jon Favreau at the British premiere of the film \'The Jungle Book\', in London, Britain April 13, 2016. | REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Actor-director Jon Favreau spearheaded a virtual reality (VR) project called "Gnomes & Goblins" that will be released on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The idea came to Favreau after working late in the office, as he pondered on recent advances in technology. Favreau is best known for directing the first two "Iron Man" films as well as playing Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) driver and friend, Happy Hogan. But it was his experience in directing Disney's "The Jungle Book" which dabbled in VR that urged him to venture into this field.

The Hollwood Reporter (THR) pointed out that the director was astonished by VR. He was completely enamored by it that he instantly started sketching the world in "Gnomes & Goblins." Later on, "theBlu" director Jake Rowell joined the team as creative director and "The Jungle Book" animation effects supervisor Andy Jones signed up as animation director.

The game combined a cinematic way of storytelling with traditional gaming mechanics. Hence, players will feel like they're personally going through the storylines. Players will be transported to an enchanted forest and will have to go on a journey with a tiny goblin. The storyline will depend on how players interact with this character.

"I kind of worked out a set of rules and magical ability you could acquire, but all of it hinging on a very organic relationship between you and these creatures," Favreau explained to THR during a preview of the game at Wevr's headquarters.

The game will be absolutely free. Gamers can purchase it on Stream, Viveport, and Wevr Transport entertainment platforms. "Gnomes & Goblins" was initially developed for the HTC Vive VR headset but it will be available in Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR later this year. The HTC Vive is paired with a hand controller that will make actions in the game a very concrete experience.

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