Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek discusses Metaverse plans at D23 expo

Chapek said the company’s vision is to bring ‘next-generation storytelling’ to the Metaverse with the help of AR and VR tech.

September 15, 2022 - Cynthia Chung

On Sunday, Chief Executive of Walt Disney Co, CEO Bob Chapek discussed plans for how they will use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enhance storytelling’ vision in the Metaverse for the next century.

Speaking to Reuters at the company’s biennial D23 Expo fan convention, Chapek described Disney’s digital vision for the Metaverse as next-generation storytelling.

He also said the company would leverage the data gathered from theme park visits and consumers’ streaming habits to deliver unique and personalized entertainment experiences.

Earlier this year, Disney hired Mike White, a veteran media and tech expert to lead the newly created Next Generation Storytelling and Consumer Experiences unit. One of his main tasks is to develop a technological toolkit for Disney’s creative executives to employ.

Chapek also discussed using AR and other technologies to add a new dimension of storytelling. He referenced an eight-minute augmented reality film that premiered this week on Disney+ and said Disney fans can expect similar forms of content to evolve over the next five to ten years.

Chapek believes that this ‘could be a real big catalyst for what’s going to show up there and, you know, five to 10 years.’

Photo: MickeyBlog.com