Release date
July 12, 2019
Publisher
ARTE France
The multi-awarded narrative VR experience is now available on Oculus Quest. ARTE gives you the opportunity to discover and rediscover Notes On Blindness, an emotional journey into a world beyond sight.
In 1983, after decades of steady deterioration, John Hull became totally blind. To help him make sense of the upheaval in his life, he began documenting his experiences on audio cassettes. These original diary recordings create the basis of this interactive non-fictional narrative which is a cognitive and emotional experience of blindness. Storytelling, art direction and graphical universe form a unique and singular immersion, completed by movement tracking, spacialized sound and controller interactions.
Produced by Ex Nihilo, Arte France in co-production with Archer’s Mark. Executive Producer, Novelab Audiogaming. Supported by TFI New Media Fund and Ford Foundation – JustFilms, CNC and Région Midi-Pyrénées.
July 13, 2019
That was such a deeply touching experience. I can only imagine the joy which John would feel, if he knew what you had shared. Thank you. Free experiences are always great, but that experience was worth more than any game I've payed for. So if you have one, please, direct me to a place where I can donate to help see some more of your amazing, beautiful work. Thank you again.
213 found this helpful
October 11, 2021
This series of video clips take you on a narrated journey that challenges the significance that most people place on our ability to see. I was particularly amazed at how reflective I became as I delved deeper into this narrative. John's description of his transition from a "sighted" to a "non-sighted" person is riveting and, without a doubt, makes for one of the most moving virtual reality experiences I've encountered.
57 found this helpful
November 5, 2025
READ THIS IF YOU GET STUCK ON THE LOADING/TITLE SCREEN: There is a bug where the loading/title screen asks you to hold the trigger to continue, but nothing happens. To get around this, you can connect an external mouse, either via Bluetooth or USB, and then press left-click, instead of trigger. After that you can play the whole game no problem. There is just one other section where you will need to use mouse left-click again (when they ask you to press trigger to blow wind). But the other menus use controller trigger like normal. The game/experience itself is very nice, like a high quality experimental documentary animation but more interactive and immersive.
49 found this helpful
July 14, 2019
I mean that is ironic lol but actually very cool. It uses visual cues to simulate mental stimulation of a blind man by associating the dim/fuzzy shapes with noise. Obviously the thoughts and perspective from a man that went from full sight to blindness are unique and fascinating - I expected that going in - but the devs of this app were extremely creative in how they integrate the visuals, spatial audio, and even an occasional control element. This is possibly the most creative experience I've witnessed in VR thus far, and one of the must-have free apps in the store. It is sorta in the genre of Anne Frank VR, due to the narration and immersed perspective - but honestly a way cooler use of VR perspective. I can't wait to see what people think of next in bringing us crazy VR experiences!
44 found this helpful
July 12, 2019
This is a highly immersive and personal Journey. Told in the author's own words and presented in a way that only VR can provide. This is an experience that will provide each viewer with their own take away. Time well spent and a journey I will not forget. Thank you so much.
44 found this helpful
$24.99
$39.99
$24.99
$24.99
$19.99
