philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

Group offers virtual reality tour of war-torn Syria

The three-minute film, "Welcome To Aleppo," features 360-degree views of abandoned areas in Syria's former commercial center. In one scene, bullets can be heard whizzing past the device used to film the VR footage, while another catches a glimpse of four Syrians on a motorbike traveling down a ruined street. The film can be watched and controlled on a computer screen, or with a mobile VR headset, such as Google Cardboard.

For many, VR might not only reshape entertainment but also journalism.

"VR will definitely be used for entertainment, porn, video games, all of that," said Christian Stephen, Ryot's London-based global editor who filmed the video in Syria. "It can also be used to genuinely communicate stories around the world in desperate need of reaching people. The fatigue that has come with photos and videos of explosions and people crying has numbed people to the reality of the world, especially in Syria."

Three months ago, Ryot released its first foray into VR journalism with footage captured in Nepal after an April 25 earthquake devastated the country. Ryot co-founder Bryn Mooser said the organization is currently working on VR projects in five countries, including the Congo, Uganda, Haiti and Iraq.

"For us, we want to distribute on every single platform," said Mooser. "We just want this story to get out there. It's not about creating a revenue opportunity for people to pay to download this footage. It's about seeing how many people can watch this as soon as possible. As the technology progresses, it'll become easier and easier for people to experience it."

Mooser noted that "Welcome to Aleppo" marks the first VR video footage to be shot within Syria's war zone. Last year, the Emblematic Group debuted "Project Syria," an animated VR experience that recreated an attack on an Aleppo street and transported viewers to a refugee camp.

See the full story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/group-offers-virtual-reality-tour-of-war-torn-syria/