Monthly Archives: May 2017

Investors, gamers, and game developers who are cold on virtual reality should look to the 2017 Game Developers Conference as confirmation that VR has legs. Developers dont sound as clueless as they did last year, based on attendance at VR-related panels at GDC 2016 and GDC 2017. The difference is palpable.

The fate of virtual reality does not rest on the development of more advanced optics, higher framerates, and lower latencies, nor does it depend on the evolution of the three major VR hardware solutions, the HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Oculus Rift. The hardware is not what will ultimately determine whether investors in VR make the profits theyre seeking, and whether futurists see the day when VR is an ordinary, household technology.

Because the success or failure of VR is much more in the hands of the game developers providing content for all three platforms.

Consumer VR still rests mostly within the video game world, and so the platform is subject to the popular refrain among gamers when it comes to any new hardware: But theres nothing to play for the system! (Were seeing the same discussion play out right now in reference to the newly released Nintendo Switch.)

A growing comprehension of the psychology of virtual reality, or how we can fool the human brain into believing that the virtual is actually the real, combined with technical acumen has finally produced a healthy slate of games for VR. Burgeoning mastery of the VR space has made critical successes like Fantastic Contraption (from Northway Games), Job Simulator (from Owlchemy Labs), and Raw Data (from Servios) possible.

These are the games from which VR developers can learn best practices. The fate of virtual reality depends on how quickly developers can learn and apply those lessons, and continue to release software compelling enough to warrant early adoption of the technology. Taken collectively, the VR-related panels at GDC 2017 suggest that developers are on the case, and the future of VR feels less nebulous as a result.

Above: Above: The basics of successful VR design.

Image Credit: anet Brown, Ram Ramakrishnan

Wind the clock back one year. Virtual reality was a sensation at the 2016 Game Developers Conference. Panels scheduled in smaller rooms were choked with attendees. Sometimes, even spillover rooms with remote video feeds of the panels were standing-room only. Attendance at VR panels on the Monday of GDC 2016 forced organizers to move Tuesdays panels into larger rooms in order to accommodate demand.

Because none of the major hardware solutions had yet been released at that time, game developers at GDC 2016 could still project their own hopes and ideas onto VR. Game developers working in VR didnt entirely know what they were doing. It was the same feeling that pervaded the Oculus Connect 2 conference in September 2015, and VR developers at GDC 2016 didnt seem to be bothered by this. The excitement of pioneering a new technology was enough to override all other concerns, it seemed.

Virtual reality panels at GDC 2017, on the other hand replaced fantasies of what VR could be with the reality of where the industry currently stands. Gear VR sales stand at either 4.5 million or 5 million headsets sold-through, depending on whether you listen to market research firm SuperData or Samsung Electronics America respectively. Sony in February revealed that PSVR has sold-through over 900,000 headsets.

Oculus and Vive sales are anemic by comparison. SuperData in February also released data that indicated more than 400,000 Vive units had been sold, beating out the Oculus Rift, which sold a little over 200,000, according to the report. But the high barrier of entry to the Vive and Oculus, if we include the cost of a gaming PC that can handle the hardware, ought to make those numbers unsurprising.

These numbers represent neither failure nor success from any objective measure, especially not when insiders like John Riccitiello, CEO of Unity Technologies, dont expect VR to start turning the sort of profits bullish developers and investors were hoping for any sooner than 2018. In the face of three relatively low-profile VR hardware releases in 2016, coupled with the lack ofhigh-profile successes in VR, its no surprise that developer interest seems to have cooled, judging by panel attendance at GDC 2017.

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It's time to stop doubting virtual reality - VentureBeat

Ask Mr Lionel Chok what he thinks of virtual reality and his enthusiasm is infectious: "Virtual reality is kick-ass!"

To some people, virtual reality, or VR, is simply a term associated with clunky headsets and video games.

To Mr Chok, however, VR presents a world of opportunities.

"I view VR as a technology that is integral to many aspects of our lives, industries and markets. It can be used for marketing, and even for training and simulation. The applicability of such technologies in many industries will hopefully create new, meaningful jobs," he said.

Mr Chok, 45, is the founder of technology start-up Immersively, which specialises in augmented reality (AR) and VR technologies.

"Immersively focuses on education as well as services and applications. We give workshops and talks to raise awareness of VR technologies. Working on events is also a viable model for us. We did an event in Kuala Lumpur for the movie Kong: Skull Island where we created a showcase in a mall that allowed members of the public to get a virtual experience of going around Kong island," he said.

VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE

I view VR as a technology that is integral to many aspects of our lives, industries and markets. It can be used for marketing, and even for training and simulation. The applicability of such technologies in many industries will hopefully create new, meaningful jobs.

MR LIONEL CHOK, founder of technology start-up Immersively, which specialises in the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

While Immersively started only last year, Mr Chok's affinity with VR began long before its recent hype.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

The VR industry is always changing. Players are constantly pushing the boundaries of our imagination by coming up with fresh ideas with new applications. For example, some start-ups are creating a social space where individuals' avatars can meet in a virtual space, even though the individuals are in different countries. This is what makes VR so exciting!

MR CHOK

He spent over 15 years in the media industry, where he held producer, editor and director roles in organisations such as Mediacorp and Caldecott Productions.

In 2013, in his role as a senior producer and head of commissioned content at Toggle, a budding over- the-top service provider then, Mr Chok was tasked to produce one show every year as well as commission film projects.

This provided him with the opportunity to produce a documentary on technology start-ups, which meant speaking to players in the technology industry, attending hackathons and looking at the newest technology in the market.

In short, the project enabled Mr Chok to discover his profound interest in technology.

"I found a strange affinity with technology. Even after the documentary was completed, I continued going to talks and looking at various technology companies. I couldn't help but find technology extremely exciting," he said.

This zeal drove Mr Chok to want to know more about technology and how it works, so he sent applications to various institutions in order to learn more about what he regarded as the language of the future.

"I wanted to explore the field and see exactly what else I could do. On a whim, I sent out applications to various places to teach me technology," he recalled.

"Middlesex University didn't have a specific course for VR but it offered a postgraduate degree in creative technology. In that one year, they would teach different modules in technology and at the end, you could decide what you wanted to specialise in. When I was accepted, I quit my job and left for London."

As luck would have it, he was the only student in the course for that year, which meant he had the undivided attention of professors in fields ranging from robotics to artificial intelligence - further fuelling his passion for technology.

Yet, Mr Chok's love for technology did not automatically translate into an interest in VR.

"AR and VR was the last module introduced to me. Initially, I didn't want to take it because it was very visual and seemed too related to media. I wanted to go into coding - to build websites and to code apps. However, my supervisor advised me against that, citing intense competition and a declining industry. I then decided to focus on VR."

Although Mr Chok took on a marketing role at a start-up after he returned to Singapore at the end of 2015, he knew it would only be a matter of time before he got involved in VR full-time.

"During that time, I put my portfolio out there as having a postgraduate degree in VR and I was actually able to consult on several projects. I eventually decided to consult on such projects full-time. When I left my job, I already had two VR projects in the pipeline," he added.

These projects made Mr Chok realise the time was ripe to start a business related to VR - so Immersively was born.

Looking ahead, he hopes that Immersively will continue to search for its niche in the market.

"Moving forward, many VR firms will converge towards some form of specialisation - building VR products unique to particular industries.

"Personally, I don't know if Immersively will focus more on content or education. There's much potential in content creation, but I also believe VR provides the next most powerful tool for education besides experiential learning. However, there will be no hard restrictions to certain industries - the main engine and capabilities will still be there," he said.

While Mr Chok firmly believes in the potential of VR, he admits that Immersively's journey has not been entirely smooth sailing.

"Because the technology is so new, everyone who comes on board is new too. I'm also new to running a business so I'm relying on experience from my previous job, but it may not be the best way to run the business. I think there is certainly a lot to be improved."

Despite the challenges, VR has not lost its allure for Mr Chok.

"The VR industry is always changing. Players are constantly pushing the boundaries of our imagination by coming up with fresh ideas with new applications. For example, some start-ups are creating a social space where individuals' avatars can meet in a virtual space, even though the individuals are in different countries. This is what makes VR so exciting!"

Link:

Virtual reality became his real calling - The Straits Times

A virtual reality arcade has opened in Tempe, with more planned How Bob Ferris saves real lives through virtual reality Intel brings virtual reality and 360-degree replay to Phoenix's Final Scottsdale luxury homebuilder first in state to use virtual reality in Architectural Gem on the Preserve!

A virtual reality arcade will open in Octane Raceway this month.

Provided by Octane Raceway

Octane Raceway will unveil a new virtual reality attraction at its facilities in Scottsdale.

Octane spent $800,000 to open the Velocity VR attraction, powered by Zero Latency, in a 3,500-square-foot open space at the raceway's 65,000-square-foot facility.

A virtual reality arcade will open in Octane Raceway this month.

Provided by Octane Raceway

The attraction opens Memorial Day. Octane representatives are touting it as the first free-roam multiplayer virtual reality arena to open in the Western United States.

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Octane Raceway opening $800K virtual reality attraction - Phoenix Business Journal

If you'd like a bird's eye view tour through New York or a stroll through the Colosseum, but you're a bit of a homebody, don't worry about it.

The future is set up for people just like you and at the Magnify Technology Expo in Auckland, the changing way we experience the world was showcased.

All the big players from Google to Facebook are investing heavily in virtual reality, a rapidly-evolving technology.

The likes of Pokmon Go and Snapchat's filters are launching augmented reality into everyday life, while New Zealand-based company AugView is putting it in the hands of construction workers.

The New Zealand Fire Service is using virtual reality technology as a public-education tool by placing people inside a burning house, leaving it up to the user to escape the growing inferno.

"We think it's important to basically put the New Zealand public in a situation that they could otherwise not experience, and virtual reality allows us to put people in a burning home safely to help drive some key messaging," digital manager Craig Pearce told Newshub.

If it seems strange now, it won't for long.

"It's going to be ubiquitous in all of our lives, I think that eventually we're going to look at it just like GPS today and say, 'How did we live without it?'," Augmented Vision Works founder Barry Sandrew said.

But they just need to work out how to make those goggles look cool.

Newshub.

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Future of virtual reality showcased at Auckland expo - Newshub

Oculus VR will close its Emmy-winning cinematic-content division, Story Studio, to focus instead on funding others storytelling projects.

The Facebook-owned virtual reality company said in a blog post Thursday that shifting away from producing its own content will free up resources allowing it to explore exciting but unsolved problems in [augmented reality] and [virtual reality] hardware and software.

Were still absolutely committed to growing the VR film and creative content ecosystem, Jason Rubin, Oculus vice president of content, said in the post.

The company said it committed $250 million last year to fund virtual reality content from various developers and would earmark $50 million of that money to support nongaming, experiential virtual reality content.

Social media giant Facebook Inc. made a major bet on the future of virtual reality in 2014 when it bought the start-up for $400 million in cash and nearly $2 billion in stock. The acquisition helped turn Oculus into one of the biggest names in the nascent industry.

But in the years since, competitors such as PlayStation VR and HTC Vive have surged and Oculus headsets have not sold as well as the company had hoped. Analysts said this could have encouraged Facebook to reposition its resources.

The work Story Studio was doing was compelling, said J.P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester. But it wasnt making money.

Recently, Oculus weathered the departure from Facebook of its founder, Palmer Luckey, and a $500-million judgment against Facebook and Oculus founders after a jury found Oculus violated a nondisclosure agreement with a video game company.

The virtual reality market has also matured more slowly than many had initially expected. Analysts now predict mainstream interest in virtual reality is about five to 10 years away. Oculus itself has largely garnered fans among gamers and companies looking for new ways to train employees or do product design.

Were still at an early adopter phase, so the market still hasnt seen a takeoff, Gownder said.

And unlike other tech giants now dabbling in video, such as Amazon, Facebook hasnt made a big commitment to creating its own content. That made Story Studio something of an anomaly inside Facebook.

Usually Facebook tries to be a platform for content, rather than the creator, said Aaron Kessler, senior analyst at Raymond James.

In buying Oculus, the Menlo Park social media firm was likely trying to jump-start the virtual reality ecosystem, he said.

But now that other studios, some large and some independent, have started to produce high-quality virtual reality films, Facebook will likely look to push boundaries elsewhere in less-developed aspects of the medium.

Its no longer necessary to get the proof of concept out there, said Lewis Ward, director of gaming and augmented and virtual reality at IDC. The closure of this short film-centric studio probably makes sense in the long run.

Oculus Story Studio produced three short VR films, including the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy-winning Henry, which allows viewers with a VR headset to explore a hug-loving hedgehogs birthday party.

An Oculus representative said in a statement that while the company could not get into specifics, Story Studio employees affected by the move will have the option of applying for new jobs within Facebook. Story Studio had about 50 employees and is based in Menlo Park, Calif.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

Twitter: @smasunaga

Original post:

Facebook to close Oculus' virtual reality content studio - Los Angeles Times

Press Release Method Design and Communications

Auckland-based creative agency, Method, has launched a specialist augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) arm, M Theory, to keep up with client demand and further invest in the technology.MEDIA RELEASE

8 May 2017

Method launches specialist augmented and virtual reality arm M Theory

Auckland-based creative agency, Method, has launched a specialist augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) arm, M Theory, to keep up with client demand and further invest in the technology.

As viewing habits continue to change with the rapid development of technology, M Theory is focused on deliveringinteractive, immersive and awe-inspiring experiences through a range of AR/VR services. This includes 360 video post-production, 3D modelling, digital storytelling, along with computer-generated imagery, app and game development.

Method and M Theorys Managing Director, Sam Ramlu, says the company has seen a massive increase in demand for AR and VR services during the past four years.

Weve had a steady stream of projects from local clients and now projects coming in from LA, Australia, and China. So, it made sense to set M Theory up. It gives us the ability to further specialise and invest in the technology.

Backed by the team at Method, we now have an in-house 3D artist, game developer, video editor and multimedia specialist, and producer, all specialising in rolling out AR and VR for clients.

AR and VR arent on the fringes of marketing anymore. Its a really accessible marketing tool that allows companies to connect with consumers and other target audiences in an authentic and memorable way, says Ms Ramlu.

A recent project delivered by the team at M Theory was an immersive tour of QMS commuter network digital sites, with integrated 3D graphics and narration delivering a unique experience compared to their typical 360 video.

M Theory also delivered a rich, future homes and energy visualisation, virtual reality experience for Contact Energy, which was presented to a group of investment analysts at a roadshow late in 2016.

Another project we worked on recently was an interactive tour of the newly established Kumeu Film Studios, in partnership with ATEEDs AR/VR Garage and filmed by Staples Rentals, this was recently showcased to producers and directors in Los Angeles and was a huge success for the NZ Film Commission and ATEED, says Ms Ramlu.

Later in the month M Theory will debut their childrens story transmedia exhibit at Story Edge a specially curated showcase of digital and interactive storytelling, and an extension of the DocEdge Film Festival. A must-see for the whole family the exhibit will feature a multi-platform experience of a delightful tale for kids of all ages.

You can check out M Theory in all their real and virtual glory at various events during Tech Week:

Magnify VR/AR Expo Summit, Monday 8 May

Future Realities Conference, 11 and 12 May.

Alternatively, visit http://www.mtheory.co.nz or http://www.method.digital to find out more.

Ends

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original url

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Method launches specialist augmented and virtual reality arm - Scoop.co.nz (press release)

Wrecking big cities in virtual reality is officially a thing. The latest developers to take their turn at the genre is Luden.io, a team of VR developers at Nival Interactive.

VRobot lets you play as a giant robot at a time when driverless cars and robots are swarming the planet. Humans have built a giant robot to help them clean and reclaim their cities. You can just stomp around and cause mayhem, or use special tools like the tractor beam and tornado maker.

Then you have to defeat the SuperRobot 3000 before people can return to their homes.

Ive come across a couple of other games where you can wreak havoc in a city. Sonys 100ft Robot Golf also lets you go nuts in a city, playing golf with giant balls that can blast through skyscrapers..

In one VR arcade location in Tokyo, Capcom created a Kaiju, or giant monster, simulator. You act as a Kaiju and stomp through buildings in a 25 feet by 25 feet space. Its like youre Godzilla, raging through Tokyo with touch controllers in your hand. You can stomp with your feet (with touch controllers attached to them) or your hands, all the while viewing a cartoon-like city where you can tear apart buildings and pull helicopters from the sky. Your job is to save the little Kaiju.

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VRobot lets you wreck a big city in virtual reality - VentureBeat