‘I (Almost) Got Away With It’ Kicks Off A New Season With A Special VR Experience

This popular series returns for an eighth season featuring all-new criminals who believe they can commit crimes and never get caught. These true stories profile people who will do anything they can to evade arrest. They will use their families, fake IDs, and even use force to keep from being captured. Eventually, they do get caught, but often not before causing more chaos and mayhem.

I (Almost) Got Away With It has joined the virtual reality (VR) bandwagon, offering fans of the series a new way to experience one criminal’s jailbreak for themselves. According to a recent post on the I (Almost) Got Away With It Facebook page, this VR experience is inspired by Peter Gibbs’ prison escape. His story will be the first one featured on I (Almost) Got Away With It. Seen from the criminal’s point of view, viewers can feel the adrenaline rush as they immerse themselves in his escape.

Watch a jailbreak like you've never seen before w/ @DiscoveryID's Virtual Reality. #IAGAWI https://t.co/QIYOJjjtYb pic.twitter.com/D6FkNO6hLM

— Investigation Discovery (@DiscoveryID) May 12, 2016

From the beginning of the I (Almost) Got Away With It VR video, viewers can check out the facility, Gibbs, other inmates, guards, and even other people in his vicinity. When he makes his break and escapes outside, viewers can follow along all the way up to his eventual capture and return to jail. Everything around him can be scanned and looked at during the entire video.

“As the leaders in true crime programming, ID is all about providing our insatiable fans outlets to consume true crime content on all platforms,” said Kevin Bennett, General Manager, Investigation Discovery. “We are excited to introduce the action-packed VR experience JAILBREAK, offering our viewers first-hand access into just how these perpetrators almost got away with it.”

For those interested in how this virtual reality experience was produced for I (Almost) Got Away With It, the video was shot on a six-camera GoPro setup, a three-camera rig with 220-degree lenses, and a Kodak 180-degree rig. This was all made possible through a partnership between Investigation Discovery, Indigo Productions, Digital Cave Media, and FogoMotion.

Powered by Discovery VR, which also offers several other VR videos for a myriad of Discovery shows, “Jailbreak” is available on several platforms including Discovery VR iOS, Android apps, and Oculus devices. Other options will include a 360-degree video of the experience through ID.com, YouTube, Facebook, and DiscoveryVR.com. Viewers will use their mouse or arrow keys to navigate and watch the escape.

Discovery VR currently has more than 85 VR experiences available. Viewers can immerse themselves in everything from underwater explorations to skiing and slack-lining. Beautiful and thrilling wildlife panoramas are also available. The popularity of VR continues to grow, with over 650,000 app downloads and nearly 30 million cumulative views. As the VR experience continues to evolve, it is anyone’s guess at what the technology may eventually be able to provide viewers who want a more upfront and personal experience.

The eighth season premiere episode titled “Got to Pretend to Be a Cop,” will feature career criminal Peter Gibbs as he faces more than 40 years in prison for a string of robberies. Gibbs first enters the prison system as a troubled teenager and grows up to become a violent, full-blown criminal.

Here's How Career Criminal Peter Gibbs Earned His Violent Reputation https://t.co/RuwmYDEaKc #IAGAWI pic.twitter.com/Oc7nMmnLhd

— Investigation Discovery (@DiscoveryID) May 13, 2016

According to Red Carpet Crash, at first, when Gibbs is freed, he tries to do the right thing, but eventually the stress of living on the outside takes a toll and drives him back into criminal behavior. Back in jail and awaiting a hearing, he uses a paper clip to unlock the shackles around his ankles. As he is escorted out of his cell, he sees an opportunity and makes his escape.

I (Almost) Got Away With It is produced by Indigo Films with David Frank as executive producer. Thomas Cutler is senior executive producer and Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production for Investigation Discovery. Henry Schleiff is group president for Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, and Destination America. The “Jailbreak” VR experience was produced for Investigation Discovery by executive producers Kyle Russell and Keila Woodard.

Are you a fan of the show? What do you think of the new VR technology? Leave your comments, thoughts, and opinions below. The season premiere of I (Almost) Got Away With It airs on Friday, May 13 at 10 p.m. ET on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel.

[Image via I (Almost) Got Away With It/Facebook]