AltspaceVR to launch on Oculus Quest on September 12th
Popular virtual events platform, AltspaceVR will officially be launching on Facebook’s Oculus Quest on September 12, 2019. This marks AltspaceVR’s official move out of beta where they’ll be unveiling a bunch of new content including multiple environments, a full calendar of events and experiences, performance-enhancements, and increased guest capacity. In the past few months, AltspaceVR rebuilt all of their avatars, primary environments, and experiences- all of which have been optimized for the Quest as well as the several other platforms that AltspaceVR supports (Go, GearVR, Rift, Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, and 2D mode on PC). The changes, updates, and releases signify AltspaceVR’s hope to solidify its place as the main destination for live virtual events.
“We’re excited to welcome a new VR audience to AltspaceVR and we’re planning hundreds of hours of live events to celebrate.” said Katie Kelly, Program Owner of AltspaceVR. “Now Quest lovers can come into AltspaceVR for new shows every day. We have tech talks, comedy shows, open mic nights, LGBT meetups, VR church, and more, with over 300 events a month.”
With all the new additions and updates, the focus was on optimizing user-experience inside of AltspaceVR. Creating beautiful and multi-use environments, adding interactable props for users to enjoy, mapping out a schedule of experiences and events, and optimizing features like avatars and hand-gestures—all serve to make AltspaceVR accessible while giving users the power of choice. Whether they’re attending a concert in the Screen Door Effect, AltspaceVR’s large club ideal for performances and watch-parties; hosting an intimate round of Holograms Against Reality, now optimized for seamless collaborative game-play; or just mingling at the Campfire chatting with one of the Community Helpers, AltspaceVR has plenty of options to satisfy most people’s needs and curiosities.
As part of the Quest launch, Altspace built 6 new environments geared to house specific experiences like meetups, games, presentations, performances, and more. Users can host their own experiences or attend featured events organized by community members and Altspace staff. The new additions and updates create a seamless flow with plenty of opportunities for users to interact with one another, share content, and enjoy all the best things about social VR. Cohesive in style, built for multi-functional use, and equipped with interactable props and features, these hearty environments offer users choice and variety.
A Snapshot into AltspaceVR:
1. The Screen Door Effect – Built to house high numbers of users, this club venue is versatile enough to accommodate concerts, presentations, variety shows, screenings, and more! Now experiences like Video JukeBox (a collaborative music video watch-party) can quickly grow into full on parties. Debates, film-screenings, open mic nights, and more are all possible. Users can even choose to hang outside chatting in small groups or taking a moment to step away from the crowd.
2. Orion Court – There's nothing average about this basketball court. A charming, urban space modeled after the many legendary outdoor courts of basketball lore, Orion Court is game-ready with its interactive basketballs, passing trains, and neighboring corner stores. Featuring interactable basketballs and firecrackers and plenty of room to play-ball or hang court-side on the bleechers, Orion Court is a great “outdoor” option for any experience.
3. Lunar Loft – A multi-purpose space with a breathtaking view, the Lunar Loft is quick to become a fan-favorite for its scenic and soothing aesthetic. Equipped with a screen and built as a two-floor environment, it can easily house a rowdy quiz game while simultaneously offering guests spaces to chat one-on-one, away from the hype.
4. The Boardroom – From flipping through slide after slide in a serious presentation to dueling a colleague in a lighthearted game of interactive paper-toss, The Boardroom welcomes all levels of professional expression. Designed to offer users a place primed for a good brainstorm or creative writing workshop, it’s versatile enough to also serve as the primary arena for Office Olympics.
5. Summit – From generic hangout to a heated round of AltspaceVRs most popular game, Holograms Against Reality - the Summit serves as a great backdrop for just about any experience or event. Nested high above Altspace City, it feels both intimate and luxurious.
6. Vista – The Vista’s vibrant colors and high-energy aesthetic are a clever nod to VR’s ability to turn imagined spaces into 360 degree places. The Vista is designed to be a home-away-from-home which means it’s great for everything from house parties to solo movie watching.
For full schedule of the special Quest Launch events and experiences happening in these (and other) environments, keep an eye on the AltspaceVR Twitter channel.
