Step into a virtual reality crime scene
Bringing the world of 'Artificial Wisdom' to life
Zubr was tasked with an ambitious and groundbreaking brief: to create an ‘industry first’ VR book launch experience to support the release of ‘Artificial Wisdom’, the debut novel by tech entrepreneur-turned-author, Thomas R Weaver.
Commissioned by Transworld, an imprint of Penguin, the virtual reality experience was unveiled at Capital Crime, one of the world’s premier crime and thriller fiction festivals. Over 2,000 attendees were invited to step into character Martha Chandra’s luxury penthouse to examine the futuristic crime scene and identify crucial clues to help solve her murder.
Partners
To bring Thomas R. Weaver’s fictional world to life for our clients at Transworld, we developed the VR book launch experience in collaboration with our longtime partner, Limina Immersive.
The experience launched at Capital Crime, one of the world’s largest celebrations of crime and thriller fiction. Attendees enjoyed unprecedented access to some of the world’s top and upcoming crime and thriller creatives – including Weaver himself!
A former tech entrepreneur with a degree in Computer Science, Weaver now writes stories about tomorrow to help make sense of today. Ironically, he never expected to use his technical background in his writing career – but it proved invaluable in shaping this immersive experience.
In the world of ‘Artificial Wisdom’, conspiracies unfold in full sensory, neural realities, almost indistinguishable from the physical world. This campaign is the closest we’ve come to that future... a truly immersive campaign experience that blurs the boundary between reader and story.
Thomas R. Weaver, Author of 'Artificial Wisdom'
In the world of ‘Artificial Wisdom’, conspiracies unfold in full sensory, neural realities, almost indistinguishable from the physical world. This campaign is the closest we’ve come to that future... a truly immersive campaign experience that blurs the boundary between reader and story.
Thomas R. Weaver, Author of 'Artificial Wisdom'
Why introduce VR to a book launch?
Set in the year 2050, ‘Artificial Wisdom’ explores themes of artificial intelligence, politics, and power through the lens of investigative journalist Marcus Tully, as he investigates the death of Martha Chandra – creator of the world’s first political AI, Solomon.
To reflect the story’s central theme – ‘neuroreality’, a sensory-immersive technology within the book – Zubr created a deeply immersive VR experience that mirrored the fictional world. The goal was not just to promote the novel but to transport readers into it, offering a tangible, emotional connection with the story and setting.
Designing Martha's Apartment in VR
Working closely with the author, and with executive producer Catherine Allen from Limina Immersive, Zubr brought the apartment of Martha Chandra to life with high fidelity and narrative depth:
- Custom 3D environment: A luxurious yet enigmatic penthouse was modelled, featuring interactive clues, thematic red herrings, and detailed environmental storytelling.
- Narrative inspirations: A stylised intro sequence transports users into Weaver’s 2050 technology, mimicking the neuroreality described in the novel.
- Futuristic setting: A custom skybox rendered a futuristic cityscape, guided by AI-generated imagery of a green city, setting the tone for Weaver’s imagined 2050.
- Accessibility first: The experience was designed for first-time VR users, focusing on intuitive teleport-based navigation and minimal but meaningful interactivity.
Weaver’s familiarity with VR strengthened the creative process, as he was able to share AI-generated images of Martha’s apartment as well as descriptions from the book with our team. Zubr’s 3D artists used the AI renders as guidance when modelling Martha’s apartment, bringing intricate details – like her elephant statues – to life.
We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting such an innovative and engaging promotion at Capital Crime. Transworld have gone above and beyond to create an entertaining platform to promote ‘Artificial Wisdom’ and we’re so excited for our customers and authors to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience at our festival!
Lizzie Curle, Festival Director, Capital Crime
We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting such an innovative and engaging promotion at Capital Crime. Transworld have gone above and beyond to create an entertaining platform to promote ‘Artificial Wisdom’ and we’re so excited for our customers and authors to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience at our festival!
Lizzie Curle, Festival Director, Capital Crime
Opening the case for VR in publishing
‘Artificial Wisdom’ navigates complex themes, including the use of AI, power, and politics, so developing an immersive crime scene to celebrate the book launch was entirely on theme. Beyond this project, the success of the VR book launch experience highlights a broader opportunity: how virtual reality can evolve the way stories are told and experienced in publishing.
VR offers publishers an innovative tool to deepen reader engagement by transforming passive marketing into active exploration. Whether stepping inside a crime scene, walking through a historical setting, or interacting with characters, immersive environments allow readers to experience narratives rather than just imagine them. This sensory dimension makes literature more vivid and memorable, especially for genres like sci-fi, crime, or fantasy.
Moreover, VR opens new formats for author events, book launches, and educational content. Instead of traditional readings or signings, readers can meet authors and tour their fictional worlds in a virtual space, or explore thematic content with interactive storytelling. For publishers, it presents a fresh avenue to build community, create buzz, and enhance accessibility – especially for digitally inclined audiences looking for more dynamic experiences.
Marketing magic unveiled
The creative process was as immersive as the end result. Zubr hosted in-person alpha testing sessions with the Penguin Random House marketing team and Weaver himself, refining the experience with direct feedback from the stakeholders. The collaboration benefitted greatly from Weaver’s technical background and storytelling clarity, allowing Zubr to align creative vision with narrative intent.
The VR experience was a centrepiece of Capital Crime, where thousands of attendees engaged directly with the story in a way never before seen in publishing. It marked a pioneering moment – using immersive technology not as a gimmick, but as a storytelling extension that blurred the line between reader and participant.
Interested in launching your own immersive book experience? Get in touch with us through our contact page.