She’s Behind Memphis’s Newest Immersive Experience
Meet Kathryn Hicks, one of the brains behind the highly-anticipated immersive adventure, Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time. Get to know this fascinating FACE of Memphis!
Excitement is building for the highly-anticipated immersive adventure Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time. Backed by an imaginative and skilled team, the experience promises to deliver a fantastical world of extended reality (XR) right on the Mississippi River.
If you aren’t sure exactly what XR is, our newest FACE of Memphis is here to help. Not only is Kathryn Hicks the project’s Chief of Games and Technology, she is also the founder and owner of Creature Studio, which focuses on character-driven XR experiences for business-to-business clients. We think it’s safe to say she knows her stuff. Get to know this charming and creative FACE of Memphis!
Can you explain extended reality (XR), for those of us that aren’t familiar?
Extended reality (XR) is the umbrella term for all immersive technologies.
With virtual reality (VR), you can’t see the outside world — you are in a completely different environment. Usually, it involves wearing a headset.
With augmented reality (AR), you can see the real world with a digital overlay — like Pokemon Go, Snapchat, or Instagram filters.
Mixed reality (MR) is physical plus digital — you can interact with both real-world objects and digital elements simultaneously.
What sparked your interest in XR, and what have been some of your favorite projects?
I fell into XR in grad school at the Savannah College of Art and Design … Experiencing his VR project made me want to dive fully into virtual reality. I made my thesis about VR, creating an animated film about a young Sasquatch prince.
After grad school, I joined the Oculus Launchpad program and then worked at a small company in Memphis, focusing on AR and VR for medical and training simulations. Later, I participated in the Snapchat Storytelling Residency and became a Snapchat AR creator.
While working at ALSAC St. Jude as an immersive experience designer, I also developed a location-based AR experience for HBO and Snapchat’s “House of the Dragon” Custom Landmarker Lens campaign at Mud Island Park as part of a worldwide launch of 20 custom landmark experiences.
What was your initial vision for your company, Creature Studio, and how has it grown?
Initially, we aimed to be a general XR company for businesses and brands, doing various projects in entertainment, education, and more in XR. However, a friend suggested that we should focus on a niche. Reflecting on my work, I realized that I have always been drawn to characters — whether in traditional art, 3D modeling, or other mediums.
Given our name and our branding direction, it made sense to specialize. So, we transitioned from being a general XR business-to-business company to creating compelling and interactive character experiences. While we still do other XR work, our niche is characters.
Though we’re still in the early stages, I’m very excited about our direction and how the company will continue to evolve.
How did you get involved with the Baron Von Opperbean (BVO) experience?
I first met [BVO creator] Christopher Reyes in 2019 through a mutual connection in a Slack group. I experienced his Baron Von Opperbean Quadrant 360 project in 2020, which left a lasting impression on me.
Fast-forward to December of last year, when Chris invited me to meet him on Mud Island. When I arrived, he led me to an old museum I hadn’t noticed before. The museum was fascinating, with full-size boats and various exhibits. Chris shared his vision for creating the Baron Von Opperbean project there, and I was immediately on board. The location and the facility were perfect, and Memphis needed something like this.
What will be your role in creating/developing The River of Time?
I’ll be focusing on game design, deciding what tech goes where, and integrating these elements into the overall experience.
Though we’re still in the early phases, I will help establish a comprehensive tech and games direction. This includes working on the architectural side of technology, figuring out game design within the immersive experience, and contributing to any creative aspects.
Chris has a vision for the project, but he’s also opened up the creative process to all collaborators, which is exciting.
What excites you most about the project?
This project combines three core elements: story, games, and play, creating a comprehensive and engaging experience. Chris is integrating a strong narrative with rich lore and backstory, which I believe is crucial for any immersive experience.
Additionally, the gamification aspect is thrilling. Integrating core game design elements will add an extra layer of engagement not often seen in immersive experiences or themed entertainment design. The playground aspect, allowing for exploration and a choose-your-own-adventure style experience, is also exciting.
Moreover, The River of Time will give back to the community in a significant way. It’s a project ‘for Memphians by Memphians,’ and that’s incredibly important to me. I believe this project has the potential to set a global standard for immersive experiences, attracting more business to Memphis.
As a member of the creative, tech, and diverse communities, I’m excited to give back to diverse groups, including those who may not typically have access to such experiences. Especially given the challenges in the job market and other ongoing issues, this project can provide valuable opportunities and inspiration.
Switching gears a little, what do you love most about Memphis?
I love the atmosphere and the people of Memphis. The people are really what makes the city special for me. I also enjoy the vibrant food and coffee scene. I’m a big coffee enthusiast and love attending local coffee events and exploring different coffee spots. I also use coffee as a theme for testing out technological experiments. Memphis has been a significant part of my life during college, post-college, and now in my career.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
I like to attend local events throughout the city. In the mornings, you can often find me at coffee shops like Boycott Coffee, City and State, or Hustle and Dough. If I’m not there, I’m probably at a networking event run by the American Advertising Federation or Epicenter. I love getting out of the house and exploring what Memphis has to offer.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Stay true to your ambitions and take care of yourself, especially your mental and physical health. Trust your own judgment and learn to filter out bad advice. Not every piece of advice is good or relevant. Also, take breaks when you can — remember to breathe.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Adventure, coffee, and going on food adventures — trying new restaurants and exploring different cafes.
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.