The detective noir virtual reality series VR Noir: A Day Before the Night is receiving a five-episode continuation titled Coltrane, developed by New Canvas, Jacaranda Productions, and Pico for release later this year.
Following Veronica Coltrane Into Hong Kong Conspiracies
Set in Hong Kong, the narrative follows Veronica Coltrane, a disgraced former SFPD detective who now works as a private investigator. A surveillance assignment pulls the protagonist into a dark conspiracy. Each of the five episodes runs for 15 minutes, utilizing a hybrid format that pairs live-action performances with real-time immersive environments designed to unfold around the viewer.
The original 2016 release, VR Noir: A Day Before the Night, established an early attempt at combining cinematic storytelling, viewer agency, and interactivity in virtual reality. That title eventually surpassed 500,000 downloads across Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard platforms.
Expanding Immersive Entertainment Ten Years Later
Nathan Anderson, co-founder of New Canvas and a veteran of the original production, returns as the showrunner for Coltrane. Anderson stated that the new project serves as an opportunity to take the ideas explored in VR Noir considerably further.
When we released VR Noir in 2016, I described my career quest as finding the convergence of storytelling, game design, and interactivity,
Anderson said. Ten years later, that’s still the quest.
Immersive video occupies a distinct niche within the broader virtual reality ecosystem. Recent releases like Starclash and Finding Frida have broadened expectations for what a VR experience can be. Meanwhile, other visually demanding software releases on standalone hardware, such as the exploration experience Lucent VR on the Quest 3, continue to demonstrate the graphical capabilities of modern headsets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coltrane
Which companies are producing the Coltrane VR series?
The five-episode series is a joint production between New Canvas, Jacaranda Productions, and Pico.
How many downloads did the original VR Noir achieve?
Released in 2016 for Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard, VR Noir: A Day Before the Night surpassed 500,000 downloads.
What platforms will support Coltrane?
Specific hardware platforms for the release have not yet been detailed, though the series is scheduled to debut later this year.
Worth a look