Project
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BEYOND TOKYO
Year
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2018
Client
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All Nippon Airways &
World Innovation Lab
Roles
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Art Direction
Concept Art
Synopsis
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Educational VR adventure set in a fantastic Shibuya, Japan.
Beyond Tokyo launched on Steam July 30, 2018.
VR Expierence
• 360 videos
• 360 Photos
• Narration & storytelling
Project Overview
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Beyond Tokyo
Together with The SOAP Collective and in collaboration with WiL and ANA we created an educational adventure series focused on Japan.
The experience is designed to merge the best elements of travel with the excitement of immersive fantasy. Set in an imagined alternate Tokyo, the project uses room-scale VR to take users on an adventure of wonder and mystery, while also teaching them about Japanese culture and tradition.
Production
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ART DIRECTION
To develop the aesthetic direction of Beyond Tokyo I created several artworks, including mood boards, concept art, and a style guide. keeping in mind our client's goals, the limitations of the VR tech of the time, and our team size we came to a solution our team and the client were excited about.
I also participated in high-level client meetings, educating clients on the art process, and providing feedback to the art team.
I also had the opportunity to collect reference image reference for the team during the project's research trip to Tokyo and Kyoto.
Production
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NARRATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS
Part of the adventure follows a fictional story based on the lives of Hachikō and Professor Ueno. Players help Professor Ueno recall memories of his time with Hachikō and together reveal their story.
Credits
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Creative Direction - Elle Dwight
Art Direction - Mike Ackerman
3D Artwork - Elenor Wingo, Derek Kruk
Engineering - Ian Hirschfeld
Special Thanks
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Elle Dwight, Ian Hirschfeld, Elenor Wingo, Derek Kruk, Jarreau Bowen for making this project so wonderful.
Selected Works
Copyright
© Mike Ackerman 2025
Contact
mikeackermanart@gmail . com