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About The Book of Distance
The Book of Distance is a free‑to‑play virtual‑reality experience that follows Yonezo Okita, who left Hiroshima in 1935 for Canada, and his grandson Randall Okita’s artistic pilgrimage through family archives. The narrative weaves immigration, wartime racism, and generational memory into an emotional geography that seeks to recover what was lost.
Developed by the National Film Board of Canada, the work runs on Windows VR headsets, supports tracked controllers, and allows family sharing so multiple accounts on the same device can experience the story without additional purchase.
01 / THE GUIDE
Narrative Journey
The experience spans three generations, beginning with Yonezo Okita’s 1935 departure from Hiroshima, continuing through the wartime discrimination he endured in Canada, and concluding with his grandson Randall Okita guiding a virtual pilgrimage through family archives. This structure creates a layered emotional geography that invites players to contemplate loss and resilience.
Randall Okita remains close to the player throughout darker moments, offering a generous act of imagination that feels like magical theatre. The story’s pacing mirrors the weight of history, allowing the player to move gently across oceans and years without abrupt shifts.
- Notice how each scene transition reflects the emotional tone of the preceding narrative.
- Reflect on the historical context presented; it deepens the personal stakes of each generation.
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Visual Style
Hand‑crafted 2D and 3D sets echo Japanese woodblock prints, giving the world a painterly texture while preserving depth for VR immersion. Character designs echo cultural roots, reinforcing the story’s heritage within the virtual space.
The blend of mechanical sculpture, film, and stage techniques produces seamless choreography that gently carries the player across oceans and years. Visual contrasts between flat woodblock motifs and three‑dimensional space enhance the sense of moving through memory.
- Take a moment to appreciate the texture of the sets; the craftsmanship adds to immersion.
- Observe the interplay between flat woodblock aesthetics and the surrounding 3D environment.
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Interaction & Controls
The experience runs in VR only and supports tracked controllers, allowing motion‑based gestures to interact with subtle narrative cues. Interaction moments are described as surprising, encouraging gentle participation as the story unfolds.
Control schemes remain simple, focusing on movement through scenes rather than complex gameplay systems. The design keeps the player close to the narrative, using controller input to highlight beats without demanding intricate actions.
- Use the tracked controllers to explore subtle interactive cues; they often underline narrative beats.
- Maintain a relaxed posture; the experience is intended as a gentle pilgrimage.
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Platform Compatibility
The title is available on Windows VR platforms and requires a compatible headset; it is not listed for macOS or Linux. This focus ensures a consistent VR experience across supported hardware.
Family Sharing is enabled, allowing multiple user accounts on the same device to access the experience without additional purchases, supporting shared exploration of the narrative.
- Verify your Windows VR setup meets headset requirements before launching.
- Use Family Sharing to let friends or relatives experience the story on the same machine.
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Accessibility & Freedom
Being free‑to‑play and single‑player, the experience does not include multiplayer coordination. Players can engage at their own pace, focusing on narrative rather than competition.
The design emphasizes a contemplative pace, allowing players to linger on resonant moments supporting a reflective VR session.
- Take breaks between scenes if the emotional content feels intense.
- Explore the environment at your own speed.
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