Oculus Connect 3 Developer Session Videos are now up to view.

If you were not able to make Oculus Connect 3 this year here is a Youtube playlist with 32 videos from the event included:

I was able to attend quite a few and some highlights for me include the sessions below. Check them out to really get a great understanding of not only what Oculus and Facebook are doing with VR but how the industry is developing as a whole. 

The proliferation of 360 content coupled with the new WebVR standard promises to bring a wave of fresh content to VR. Using familiar tools such as WebGL, three.js, and React, developers can easily create interactive 3D and 360 experiences.

Virtual reality has changed how we create. From games and movies, to experiences and tools-we're just beginning to see what's possible. But what happens when you take traditional artistic methods and transfer them to VR? Learn how Oculus is creating new tools, specifically for Touch, to help more people express themselves.

VR has become a powerful empathy machine. What is it about this new medium that's so effective at connecting humanity? This panel discusses how we can continue to harness the power of VR for positive social change.

What went under the radar (Other than Palmer Luckey) from Oculus Connect 3.

Well last week was Oculus Connect 3 and it was a pretty inspirational time for VR. Attending connect as both press and in a biz dev role had me in a position where most of the super exciting news had been reported on. Well I am still going to post about it but I am also going to mention some stuff that I felt fell under the radar. OC3 was actually a very big event for Oculus and Facebook in that they showed that this is not a fad for them and they were bringing the big guns to show. The keynote featured perhaps one of the biggest tech guns of them all, Mark Zuckerberg.

They did not hold back from showing how social Facebook want VR to be with Avatars and social interactivity rooms. I wonder if companies like AltSpaceVR  are pretty much f'd right now. How do you compete with Facebook on Social VR? They are bringing VR emojis that will use body language to show emotion in your virtual avatar. Just WOW!

Palmer Luckey was absent from the Oculus Connect 3 Keynote, perhaps due to the controversy surrounding the Oculus founder as a result of the revelation that he had supported a pro-Trump online campaign. In fact it was rumored that Luckey was the one that was originally going to do the Oculus state of the union that Zuckerberg ended up delivering. Despite the controversy I was a bit sad to not see him in his trademark Hawaiian Shirt and flip flops, especially during the reveal of Oculus's high end wireless prototype, Santa Cruz.

But enough about that,  if you want more info just check out the recorded Keynote bellow.

I want to talk about some things I felt did not get enough media coverage. Lets start with TheWaveVR. Not only was TheWaveVR crew in attendance, Grimecraft played the OC3 afterparty...with Oculus Touch controllers. This is news because every time I have seen TheWaveVR demoed or showed off it has always been on an HTC Vive. This was the first time I had seen the platform used with Oculus Touch controllers in a public setting. 

Something else that went under the radar was the first mass scale public demo of Kingspray VR Graffiti Simulator. I have been hyped for this since May but after releasing a few trailers the team pretty much went dark with no word about development. At OC3 I got a chance to not only try out the game but talk with one of the members of the Infectious Ape development team, Nolan Cunningham. Nolan was super cool but and said I could interview him but did not want to be recorded. Mostly because he is just a cool dev making cool content not frigging Kanye West. 

Funny enough publicity may have been what led the Infectious Ape team to go dark for a little bit. Nolan said the team put out some videos in May, had some congratulatory drinks, and then woke up to way more attention than they wanted at the time. The Infectious Ape dropped off the radar and surprisingly showed up at OC3 with a demo for Oculus Touch. Once again another company who started of with a HTC Vive focused product showing up on Rift before an official Vive launch. 

I also have to give a huge shoutout to High Voltage Software, a company I have followed and supported for years. https://www.destructoid.com/eric-stoll-of-high-voltage-software-reveals-conduit-3ds-196245.phtml

High Voltage was featured heavily during the Oculus Keynote and both the critically acclaimed Damaged Core and their new card battle game Dragon Front were given high praise during the keynote. http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/damagedcore

I had a chance to speak with High Voltage Software's Chief Creative Officer Eric Nofsinger who stated that between him going from the Keynote to the press area there was a significant increase in new users. I am very happy for the HVS team and look forward to seeing what VR excellence they will bring in the years to come. 

Lastly I have to point out the CatsAndVR 9/9 Lives Game Of The Show.  ARKTIKA.1 is a highly immersive, action-packed, first-person shooter designed exclusively for Oculus Touch. 

Nearly a century in the future, the world has fallen into a new ice age in the aftermath of a silent apocalypse. Only the equatorial regions are still habitable, yet pockets of humanity survive in small numbers all over the planet, hanging onto existence in the resource-rich territories to the north and south-- resources that everyone wants to control.

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The Simpsons teamed with Google to produce the virtual reality experience for their 600th episode Treehouse of Horror XXVII.

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and THE SIMPSONS worked closely with the Google Spotlight Stories team to create a special Virtual Reality (VR) experience for THE SIMPSONS couch gag, “Planet of the Couches,” airing in the milestone 600th episode of the animated series, the all-new “Treehouse of Horror XXVII,” on Sunday, October 16, on FOX.

“At first we had concerns about working with Google because we didn't know who they were, but then we googled the company and were very impressed,” said Homer Simpson.

“It’s a thrill to be associated with Google and not only because they have perfected the quality of their cafeteria food, especially those little sausages,” said James L. Brooks.

“Spotlight Stories is all about pushing the boundaries of interactive, mobile storytelling. Having a chance to build an immersive story with one of the most iconic and beloved shows of our time was an honor and thrilling challenge,” said Jan Pinkava, Creative Director, Google Spotlight Stories.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with THE SIMPSONS and Google Spotlight Stories on this milestone virtual reality experience. This is another example of how FOX is able to leverage innovation to deepen fan engagement and strive to bring interesting opportunities to our production partners,” said Angela Courtin, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, FOX.

Produced with Google Spotlight Stories, “Planet of the Couches” will be available on October 16 through the Google Spotlight Stories app on Android and iOS. View it with any Google Cardboard viewer for the full VR experience. The couch gag will kick off the milestone 600th episode, and will be available as a VR experience via the app.

There will be 25,000 limited edition Google Cardboard viewers available for order on a first-come, first-served basis, featuring one of the five main characters from THE SIMPSONS – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie – with a customized 600th episode “Treehouse of Horror XXVII” slipcover, beginning today at simpsonscardboard.com in the U.S. only.

“Planet of the Couches” takes the viewer on a completely immersive VR experience. In this VR “couch gag,” the world of THE SIMPSONS is extended 360 degrees, an augmentation of THE SIMPSONS’ 600th episode, unprecedented in television history. The audience is able to enter and explore the universe of THE SIMPSONS with multiple viewings yielding different results. Truly a groundbreaking event.

“Planet of the Couches” in VR was developed by Google Spotlight Stories in conjunction with executive producers James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Matt Selman and director David Silverman.

SYFY and AltspaceVR partner for the International Premiere of ​​Halcyon, a groundbreaking hybrid VR scripted episodic show.

Syfy, the home of provocative and inspiring science fiction entertainment, announced the September 22 launch date for Halcyon – the groundbreaking hybrid VR scripted series. Beginning with that date, the series will premiere across Syfy channels and companion websites outside the U.S.; it will also be viewable in VR on the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR.

However AltspaceVR users have a chance to check it out early on September 15th. 

Fans from around the world can watch the first episode of Halcyon via AltspaceVR. And, as part of the international premiere experience, participants can meet special guests,including Benjamin Arfmann (Director, Halcyon) and Stefan Grambart (Creative Director,Secret Location) who will participate in a Q&A – all in VR. Whether early adopters of virtual reality or curious Syfy fans, enthusiasts who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting altvr.com/halcyon

These joint initiatives are further innovations for both Syfy and AltspaceVR as they push the boundaries of entertainment and live events in virtual reality. AltspaceVR’s FrontRow technology will provide each person with an up­close and personal experience with the special guests during the Q&A sessions in VR.

Created and produced by Secret Location, the multi­ Emmy® and Cannes Lion Award­winning content studio who specialize in emerging platforms, Halcyon is a short­form scripted series.

Directed by BAFTA ­nominated Benjamin Arfmann ( Random Stop), Halcyon’s 5 ­episode police procedural will alternate between 10 episodes on Syfy linear channels and their accompanying Syfy websites, as well as five VR episodes exclusively available on VR platforms. For viewers who are only watching linear episodes, short recaps of each of the five VR episodes will ensure that all fans are able to follow the complete storyline. Set in the year 2040, the series is centred on Blake Creighton (Michael Therriault) the CEO of the world’s leading Virtual Reality company: Halcyon. Having cornered the market on VR, Halcyon has discarded the VR headset and allowed users to access the virtual space using neurological implants that manipulate the senses to create a virtual world. When Creighton is found dead, presumed murdered, Detective Jules Dover (Lisa Marcos) and her partner, Asha (Harveen Sandhu), must consider if this could be the world’s first virtual crime.

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Acer and Starbreeze Announce First Shipment of StarVR Head-Mounted Displays

 Acer and Starbreeze AB  today announced at a global press conference in Berlin that they have started to ship StarVR® Virtual Reality (VR) Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) to IMAX Corporation in preparation for the highly anticipated opening of the IMAX VR® Center in Los Angeles, expected later this year, and others in the near future. Earlier in 2016, Acer committed to delivering a small volume of units of StarVR® HMDs this year with mass production of the devices to commence in 2017. Also on hand at the press conference were Bo Andersson Klint, CEO at Starbreeze and Rob Lister, Chief Business Development Officer at IMAX Corporation.

“With this shipment to as important a player in the entertainment industry as IMAX, we are absolutely thrilled that we are well on our way in bringing the virtual reality experience to the next level and to the world” said Jason Chen, President and CEO at Acer. “The realization of the most premium VR experience ever offered isn’t just our dream, but one of an entire ecosystem that encompasses hardware makers, videogame developers, theater companies, filmmakers and many others.” Chen highlighted at the global press conference that movies and videogames have exceedingly become ever more closely entwined. The lines are blurring between movies and videogames, and are moving beyond just two mediums that have traditionally only complemented one another. He said they were converging to become a more dynamic, immersive form of storytelling, and virtual reality would feature prominently in this development.

“We’re extremely proud to be able to show the first manufactured units of the StarVR® headset produced in our collaboration with Acer. Since announcing the StarVR® headset in 2015, we’re finally at a place where we can see the pieces of our vision coming together. From day one we’ve been convinced that we can deliver premium experiences with premium hardware. The search for great partners sharing the same vision was long, but we’re happy to be able to lay down these two fundamental parts in Starbreeze VR-ecosystem together with Acer and IMAX. We can’t wait for people to start experiencing world-class virtual reality in the StarVR HMD and at IMAX VR® centers, said Bo Andersson Klint, Starbreeze CEO.

“We are looking forward to the launch of our first IMAX VR® center and pleased with the progress demonstrated by the initial shipment of StarVR® HMDs from Acer and Starbreeze, as this exciting industry continues to develop and grow,” said Robert D. Lister, Chief Business Development Officer, IMAX Corp. “IMAX is committed to delivering immerse, multi-dimensional virtual reality experiences, featuring some of the world’s best entertainment and gaming properties, to premium locations, including multiplexes, malls and other commercial destinations.”

Acer Inc. and Starbreeze AB announced earlier in the year that their respective Board of Directors had approved the establishment of a joint venture, for design, manufacturing, promotion, marketing and sales of the StarVR® Head-Mounted Display. The joint venture has since obtained regulatory approval and will be known as Acer Starbreeze Corporation. its best-in-class cinematic experience, StarVR® targets professional- and location-based entertainment markets such as high-end cinemas, gaming arcades, automotive retail and aviation training. StarVR® provides a truly immersive VR experience with its unique ultra-wide 210-degree horizontal field of view, with custom optics that deliver great image quality across the eye’s natural vision.

Dead Or Alive VR is a pretty shitty cash grab and a tasteless move showing a lack of understanding of what is troubling to many gamers.

Koei Tecmo Games recently showed off Dead or Alive Xtreme 3’s VR Paradise for PSVR. This may be a Japan exclusive given the how this kind of content is viewed in the American gaming public.

"With VR mode, Dead or Alive goes from creepy to harassment"-Alegra Frank of Polygon

Those sentiments are actually shared by several game journalists.

http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/30/12710076/dead-or-alive-vr-mode-harassment

https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/29/dead-or-alive-vr-is-basically-sexual-assault-the-game/

http://venturebeat.com/2016/08/30/dead-of-alives-vr-groping-is-uncomfortable-but-virtual-sex-is-only-going-to-get-messier/

Personally I think people that media as a whole from comic books to video games have used sex to sell content and this is a continuation. Is it right? Well not for the people who are bothered by it and they have the right to protest this.

I will play DOA VR probably not for that long cause it seems like a limited experience and I will play it to actually get an idea of how bad it really is. My hypothesis is that it is pretty bad. 

The thing is sex sells and that bothers people. I get that and those people have the right to voice their opinion. Many times I think those opinions are overboard, but not this time. 

My problem is actually not with that sex sells but that this game is just creepy and is basically fondling and unwanted sexual advances in a game version.

The flip of all of this is that we are still super ok with all the violence in gaming. Well this is life. I mean no one is flipping out about Slot Tub Party and that it is using sex to sell VR. That is because we kinda get that is what people do, but where is the line drawn. 

Co-Creator of Rick and Morty starts a VR studio, Squanchtendo.

The idea for Squanchtendo was living in the brain of Justin Roiland for multiple years before the studio got properly started up. A gamer his whole life, he awoke to the idea of doing game design once he played with an Oculus DK2 headset. The possibilities of the technology and how it could be used for comedy combined with great gameplay was super exciting.

Justin reached out to multiple potential developers, including Crows Crows Crows for the opportunity to collaborate and to just make some funny and fun stuff in VR.

In 2016, Justin met up with Tanya Watson, who after leaving Epic Games after 10 years there working on games like Gears of War, Bulletstorm, and Fortnite, was eager to get into the VR space herself. So with their powers combined, they formed to create Squanchtendo.

http://squanchtendo.com/

Daniel Arsham, Yung Jake, and Lily Baldwin & Saschka Unseld join the Sundance Institute New Frontier | Jaunt VR Residency Program.

Sundance Institute and Jaunt Studios announced today their latest class of creatives, at the forefront of innovation in media and entertainment, to join the Sundance Institute New Frontier | Jaunt VR Residency Program.

Daniel Arsham, Yung Jake, and Lily Baldwin & Saschka Unseld will participate in the six-month program designed to empower artists on the cutting edge of storytelling. During their immersive residency, artists will pioneer new ways of delivering narrative through cinematic virtual reality and receive a grant to make their virtual reality short films.
 
Sundance Institute’s New Frontier program continues the organization’s long tradition of cultivating new voices and innovative stories from the independent storytelling community, with Jaunt providing resident artists with the most advanced resources in cinematic virtual reality production.

The first artist inducted into the program in November 2015 was Australian interactive artist, Lynette Wallworth, with her now critically-acclaimed project, Collisions. Seen as a major move towards establishing VR as a reputable medium rather than an experiment, Collisions quickly became the face of how narrative, storytelling and emotion can be heightened in VR. Regularly seen by world leaders, and premiering in January 2016 at both The World Economic Forum at Davos and at the Sundance Film Festival, Collisions is just one example of how powerful VR experiences can encourage understanding and change on a global scale.
 
As part of the Residency, artists receive a grant to make their virtual reality short films, as well as receive post-production support and access to the industry’s most advanced tools: Jaunt’s award-winning professional cinematic VR camera, Jaunt ONE, as well as its suite of production pipeline tools, and Jaunt Cloud Services (JCS), which include cloud-based stitching and rendering.
 
Through this collaboration, Jaunt and Sundance Institute are creating a community of collaborators across diverse disciplines to push the boundaries of story. As the only end-to-end, hardware and software solution for shooting, producing and distributing VR content, Jaunt Studios is pioneering the future of storytelling through cinematic virtual reality. The Sundance Institute New Frontier program supports and fosters independent artists working at the convergence of film, art, media, live performance, music and technology. The three new projects entering the program span several genres.

 
Daniel Arsham
Artist Daniel Arsham enters the residency program with his project, Chilled Soba, which transports viewers in more ways than one. With themes pertaining to time travel and natural disaster, a trip to the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is only just the beginning.
 
Yung Jake
Master of many digital forms, artist and rapper, Yung Jake, brings his unique mind-bending aesthetic to the virtual realm in LOOK 2, an experimental music video meets rap meets virtual reality with the internet's favorite artist.
 
Lily Baldwin & Saschka Unseld
Filmmaker and dancer Lily Baldwin joins forces with director and writer Saschka Unseld to bring audiences Through You, a love story over a lifetime in virtuality. The project, which explores topics ranging from love and rage to passion and mortality, spans nearly two decades, from the early 1970s to the late 1980s.
 
The Jaunt VR App, including all content released to date, is available on iOS, Android, Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Desktop 360.
 

VR startup Radd3 invited me to see the emotional documentary Gleason. Please see this film.

Last Friday VR startup Radd3 invited people out for a free screening of the emotional documentary Gleason. sf.funcheap.com/gleason-friday-night-film-showing-berkeley/

Gleason was a recent hit at Sundance because it is a compelling personal journey through struggle and triumph. CatsAndVR is a site focused on VR but since I attended this screening due in part of a VR startup I feel compelled to write a review. Plus this is a much see documentary. 

I must start out by saying MY words cannot really describe who Steve Gleason is, how bad ass his wife is, and how important this movie is to watch. The words of Steve Gleason himself in this film is the only way to understand the personal journey this film captures.

One quote in particular captured this film for me in particular. After attending a statue ceremony for honoring his contribution to the City Of New Orleans Gleason deals with some heart-wrenching physical struggle and loss of body control. His quote after that scene brought on an emotional sense of understanding from many in the audience.  

“It's an incredible example of the polarities, dichotomies and juxtapositions that is my life. 

The film thoroughly captures these polarities, dichotomies and juxtapositions with such artful direction it reminded me of Forest Gump. Except this is real life and the direction is the honest heart of a man spilling his life in front of us. The film was created from video clips that Steve created in order to make sure his unborn son still had a father in his life despite Gleason's struggles with ALS. Gleason is also the story of a very strong Mother and Wife who also shows us what a true fight really is. To quote Michel Varisco Gleason on the whole situation that was turned into the documentary "This is a mindfuck" 

That may sound comical to a degree but how else can you describe this. It is this honesty that Hollywood can only dream to capture. It is this honesty that makes this documentary so powerful. This is REAL life not a movie and you will cry. 

Yes I admit I cried, I cried when Steve goes to a faith healer on advice of his father. This really hit home and my heart because my mother once took my little brother who has Cerebral Palsy to a faith healer. I cried because my brother sincerely asked my Mom at that point if this would make him walk. This same emotion of anger towards the world, disbelief in goodness, disbelief in an aspect of GOD, a place of darkness and sadness that I felt at that moment is what I saw in Michel Varisco Gleason's eyes in that scene and I cried. The faith healer did not help Steve and did not help my brother but both Steve and My brother have more faith and healing hearts than the world could understand. People like Steve is what we understand as Faith, People like Steve Gleason is what the concept of Christ is based on. 

You can wikipedia who Steve Gleason is but I will answer it simply. Who is Steve Gleason? A Father, A Football player, a human being.  A man who just wanted the best for his son. A man who just wanted the best for humanity. A man who legitimately used his struggle to make the world a better place. A man who used technology to create a better world. In that way I tie it back to VR, is not making the world a better place the real goal of technology.

In closing people need to see this movie and understand not only Steve Gleason's impact as a human being but our own potentiality to make a real change in the world. Also I do really believe that his story should not only win an Oscar but also be made into a feature length with Steve Gleason played by Chris Pratt with his fee going to help ALS. 

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TheWaveVR teams up with Subpac,Skullcandy,WeLens,and amazing DJ's to crush it at VRLA Summer Expo

One of the major highlights of the VRLA Summer Expo was the VR Rave presented by Skullcandy, Subpac, WeLens, and TheWaveVR. Attendees like comedian extrodinaire Reggie Watts got to experience a next level audio visual experience that incorporated 3D visuals as well as the ability to experience it all in VR.

As you may know, TheWaveVR recently made headlines for raising $2.5 million to create a VR music ecosystem. http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/thewavevrfunding

TheWaveVR was able to showcase to the many attendees of VRLA just a glimpse of the VR music experience of the future. Reggie Watts strapped in to a Subpac(Subwoofer backpack) and threw on a pair of immersive Skullcandy headphones and was transported into a world of sound and amazing visuals. The lovely and talented Alluxe was throwing down pretty hard and Reggie seemed genuinely impressed.  I was able to snag an interview with Alluxe later in the day as well. 

Several DJ's showcased what they could do with the HTC Vive and TheWaveVR. Unfortunately I was unable to check out the set by TheWaveVR Co-founder Grimecraft due to finally being able to check out Mindshow. I was able to check out his set during the VRScout VRLA party where TheWaveVR was one of the featured attractions. 

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TheWaveVR team raises $2.5M from KPCB and others to help grow their interactive VR DJ/Production tool.

Well I woke up this morning in shock but not surprise to learn that The WaveVR team had just raised $2.5M from KPCB and others to help grow their interactive VR DJ/Production tool. 

Shocked because I have met Grimecraft, one of the primary architects of this amazing piece of software. Not surprised because I have met Grimecraft, one of the primary architects of this amazing piece of software. 

TheWaveVR is a VR platform for people who love music, enabling them to view, host and socialize in live and recorded shows worldwide, anytime, anywhere.  TheWave creates a VR venue where artists can perform live music by simply importing their tracks, customizing the visuals of the venue, and sharing virtual shows. Fans can attend via most major VR head mounted displays, interact with performers, socialize with friends, dance, paint and more.

Ever since I heard about TheWaveVR I thought this may be something that will be big and looks like investors share the same sentiments.

“TheWaveVR is building music experiences that can only exist in virtual reality. They're giving musicians superpowers they've never had before, and allowing listeners to experience performances in ways that have never been possible. We're excited to help them build this platform that will forever change the music industry,” said Anjney Midha, founding partner at KPCB Edge.

Photo Credit: Clarke Nordhauser

You may have not tried TheWaveVR yet but if you are into VR or even electronic music in general it is a must experience app.  Grimecraft, a game industry vet and SF based DJ  has been spending his time at conferences and VR events on an almost Fight Club like schedule(no sleep) to demo this to anyone interested. I knew it was something big when I saw the Tilt Brush team basically in awe of The WaveVR during a recent VR event. 

The company also announced that it has added David Wexler (aka Strangeloop) and Dave Haynes as advisors. Wexler is an audio-visual artist and founder of Strangeloop Studios in Los Angeles, CA. He is one of the most recognized live visual artists in the world, having worked with Flying Lotus, Skrillex, The Rolling Stones and more. Haynes is a longtime entrepreneur and currently on the investment team at Seedcamp. He was formerly a VP and part of the early team at SoundCloud, helping the company grow from launch to the world's leading online audio platform.

“We’re working toward empowering artists and music lovers alike and transforming the way people connect through music by building the world’s first musical metaverse in VR,” said Adam Arrigo, CEO of TheWaveVR. “Music creators will be able to fully customize how their audience experiences the music – whether that’s by transforming the venue from a realistic nightclub to outer space or putting on the most unimaginable light show ever.”

TheWaveVR will be unveiling the world’s first VR Rave at VRLA on August 5-6 in partnership with SubPac, Skullcandy, PhaseSpace and 3DLive. A curated list of DJs will be performing in the HTC Vive, while multiple attendees will wear positionally tracked Gear VR’s and SubPacs (subwoofer vests). The DJs will be performing in front of a giant 3D screen, so music lovers can also experience eye-popping visuals from the metaverse on 3D glasses

thewavevr.com

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Netflix releases Stranger Things VR/360° video!

In a recent Venture Beat article Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said they are not looking to go all in with VR since it is hard to binge watch content in VR. He was quoted as saying VR will have a"big impact" on gaming, but that when it comes to watching content, the medium is too involving. "You’re exhausted after 20 minutes," 

Well that does not look to stop the company from trying out the potential of it. Today Netflix released a 360° video for their sleeper hit Stranger Things, a show rejected by multiply networks before Netflix grabbed it and one of the biggest hits of the summer. 

The company also currently has an app for GearVR. 

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Jaunt further expands it's role in VR Filmmaking by launching Jaunt Publishing.

Jaunt Inc, today announced the launch of Jaunt Publishing, a program that allows professional VR creators to publish their high quality VR content directly to the Jaunt VR app. Through an online portal on the company’s website, Jaunt Publishing enables creators to submit their work for consideration and publishing across the Jaunt platform. Once content is approved, creators will have access to Jaunt Cloud Services and the publishing tools within.

Jaunt is the only distribution hub that is truly platform agnostic, capable of seamlessly delivering cinematic VR content to every VR platform and device.“Working with Jaunt was simple and intuitive; I didn't have to touch anything. I’m a very hands-on person, so it was a bit awkward at first, but when I started seeing the results it was clear that the encoding was solid,” said Quba Michalski, director of The Pull, one of 16 independently-produced pieces released on Jaunt so far.

“Jaunt has a great team of business leaders who recognize a good product, which is so key in these early, crucial days of VR,” said Maureen Fan, executive producer of Invasion!, an independently-produced piece that's consistently a top video on Jaunt. “They’re great at featuring those products and getting your stories directly to your audience. In the case of our Invasion! movie short, Jaunt’s support has meant that many more people have gotten to experience what storytelling and VR looks and feels like, and how emotions come right to the surface in a very heartfelt way.”

Arthur van Hoff, Jaunt’s CTO, founder and interim CEO, added, “It’s great to be able to provide a creative outlet for content creation in VR. We’re excited to be able to work with more of the VR creative community to showcase the high quality VR experiences they’re making.

Recently, Jaunt announced that its award-winning Jaunt ONE camera is available for rent via Radiant Images, an initial step in connecting the professional VR community to the company’s end-to-end solution.

For full guidelines on submitting through Jaunt Publishing, and information on ways to utilize Jaunt’s end-to-end solution throughout the creative process, visit: www.jauntvr.com/creators/submissions/guidelines/

Cats And VR

World Renowned DJ/PRODUCER Alluxe will be performing this weekend as part of VRLA Summer Expo

 
Laura Escudé aka Alluxe will be performing this weekend at the VR Los Angeles Summer Expo taking place August 5th & 6th as part of the first ever VR Rave presented by Skull Candy. Alluxe will be joining a lineup of equally innovative artists who will be mixing live music inside Virtual Reality with an app called TheWave.

TheWave is a cross-platform immersive experience that lets users create music and perform live in a three-dimensional virtual space. Attendees will experience the performance in Gear VRs (from WeLens) tracked by Phasespace cameras along with Timbaland endorsed SubPacs so they can feel the bass as they walk around in the environment.
 

VRLA will  feature cutting-edge demos of the most exciting projects in development for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Google Cardboard, Samsung GearVR, and more.
 

Alluxe will be releasing a new EP this fall and the debut single “Work My Body” feat. Salar System is out now.. 
 
"We’re hearing, immersing and haven fallen prey to the siren sound of this producer”
-VIBE MAGAZINE
 
The expansive sound of Alluxe is complimented by her alluring stage presence complete with custom LED controllers, vocals and violin. Alluxe’s music borrows from both from the classical and modern world. Escudé is a classically trained violinist, and a Certified Ableton expert. The dramatic builds and gritty razor sharp percussion in her music give a dense big-room cinematic feel, a nod to her classical training. Her signature sound is where hip hop meets bass music—banging, futuristic, growling electronic beats. She mixes original compositions, improvised beats, and violin loops seamlessly.
 
"The Alluxe take is the most interesting, simply because it’s the most subtle, building tension from fractured vocal loops and dizzying 808 beats.” - PASTE MAGAZINE
 
Alluxe has been commissioned for remixes by artists such as M83, Polica and Mr. Hudson. Her violin playing can be heard on “Watch the Throne,” on Hit-Boy's mixtape, Big Grams, Kanye's Dark Fantasy Tour—the list goes on.
 

Escudé’s creativity is equally as abundant in her work as a controllerist and live show designer. Her résumé in the world of live production boasts some of the top names in music from Herbie Hancock, Kanye West, Jay Z, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cat Power, Bon Iver, Drake, The Weeknd, Silversun Pickups, Garbage, Childish Gambino and M83. Escudé is also the co-founder and CEO of Electronic Creatives, a team Escudé has helped to build of some of the most talented and sought after programmers and controllerists in the business.
 
“I am known for working with a band of whizz kid producers, one of whom is a Grammy award winning legend. But who did we need to call when we were trying to figure out how to translate our record to the stage? That's right! A beautiful blonde slip of a girl by the name of Laura Escudé. She's hardcore, dude.” - Shirley Manson, Garbage

Cats And VR

Ela Darling-Political Activist, Feminist, and the face of Adult VR.

She has a Masters degree, she is the co-founder of a start-up, she plays Pokemon Go,and she drinks Soylent. Just your average modern day Face of Adult Virtual Reality. Ela Darling has taken the tech world by storm and in my opinion has become a Nina Hartley like figure for sex work in todays tech environment. 

Like Hartley, Ela Darling promotes the spread of positive information and education to help break through the sea of judgement and the lack of understanding of what people in the adult industry really deal with.

If you are not familiar with her, Ela Darling is the world’s first Virtual Reality cam girl and a pioneer of VR in the adult industry. She is the co-founder of VRTube.xxx as well as the face of Virtual Reality for Cam4. She has helped to grow VR live cams around the world and in turn helped performers around the world also understand how to monetize their work. 

Content Source: Cam4 http://www.cam4.com/vr

Just about 7 years ago Ela did her first hardcore porn scene right at the Kink.com facilities and just recently she was there to promote VR adult content. We got the chance to interview her about VR adult content. Check out Part 1

Here are some excerpts from Part 1

CatsAndVR- How did you become the face of Cam4 VR?

Ela Darling- I started doing VR adult content a little over 2 1/2 years ago. I did everything that I could do at the intersection of VR and Porn. 3d, 360* videos, and holographic content. We took that technology and created a dating simulator. You could date me in Virtual Reality. I am kind of a tough date. We realized that is great but it would be even better to date a live person in Virtual Reality. My business partner and I then created the first ever live VR web cam platform. 

Part 2 of the interview addresses some serious issues that performers in the adult industry have to deal with. California Condoms in Pornographic Films Initiative, Proposition 60.

"So many people want to make it a discussion about condoms and it's not. Thats not even the conversation at hand. The real conversation is that it puts our private information in the hands of the people that hate us the most or are so fanatical they will stop at nothing to gain access to us" Hear more about Ela's thought on the current battle adult stars are currently facing in part 2.

Ela continues to not only be an innovator in live 360° streaming and adult VR content but also showcasing that the adult industry has continued to be on the forefront of tech innovation and free speech.  I told Ela that it was great to see her at events such as SVVR where she was a guest speaker and shown as not just a Pornstar but also a tech innovator. Her response was that she in no way wants to distance herself from her identity as a Pornstar and embraces that. A figure helping to push both innovation and adult entertainment, Ela Darling in my opinion is the the face of Adult VR content. 

Ela Darling is currently serving her second year on the board of directors for the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee and is on the committee for the Performer Availability Scheduling Service.

#VOTENO on #PROP60

https://vrtube.xxx/

Cats And VR

VixenVR uses its years of game dev experience to create the future of Adult VR.

CatsAndVR.com recently had the opportunity to check out several demos at the Kink.com Headquarters. Several companies showcased their respective 360° Adult video content but one company showed me that they are truly innovating Adult VR.

I first discovered VixenVR while looking for 360° content on Youtube. The company had created a 360° experience from the AVN awards putting the viewer in a theater style setting. I was very intrigued by what this could develop into and would find out several months later.

VixenVR has taken the years of game development experience within the company and used the Unreal engine to create a penthouse style wet dream of interactive VR reminiscent of something out of Saints Row. Temptation Towers is an ever expanding and continuously updated Adult VR experience that features everything from Muscle Girl Flix to 360° shower videos that you watch by actually entering a Virtual shower!

The thing that is most impressive about Temptation Towers is the immersion. One can see a video of a women changing in a closet but being able to enter that closet actually makes the 360° video really feel more like Virtual Reality in its true definition. The experience has several genres of adult content available and one can spent quite a bit of time just enjoying the interface. There are even some comedic easter eggs to discover just like a video game would have.  

The company is looking to continue innovating Adult VR content and has recently partnered with San Francisco's Gold Club to create an interactive strip club experience. VixenVR is working with some of the most well known names in the adult industry.

The road to innovation started from a strong understanding of AAA game development. If anyone has worked for a major video game company they know it can be draining and creatively limiting. One can say Co-founder of VixenVR Daniel Dilallo who is a game industry veteran from well know titles such as Guitar Hero and Call Of Duty entered the VR game with a chip on his shoulder towards the gaming industry.

"I want the world to know that you can spend your whole life working on other peoples designs, like me, but you can't neglect or forget to work on the most important design of all your own, your character, your own life's design, like I did.

I was so consumed by making other designs for companies and other men that I forgot my own...And there are many others like me. They make designs that don't care about the user, they want you to forget about your own design, your own life, they want to suck every second of everyday and give nothing back"

Though they are looking to innovate in the Adult VR space, the VIxenVR team has a passion and product that could crossover very well in an industry still looking for it's killer app.

Daniel Dilallo shared with me his vision for the future.

"Now I've started my companies first and I will give the users what they want Beauty, War, love, entertainment, next I will give them what they need, courage, strength and support them as they execute on their own designs.  I'm tired of directors showing me another hero's journey, that's old & weak, my users are going to have the journey not watch it. 

http://www.vixenvr.com/

Cats And VR

Lionsgate and SilVR Thread Partner to Launch Intense First-Person VR Experience for New Film “NERVE”

Earlier this year I had the chance to check out some of SilVRThread's amazing work within the 360° video space. http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/silvrthread

Well Tai Crosby and the SilVRThread team is back again and this time partnering with Lionsgate to create a promotional VR experience for the new action crime techno-thriller survival film NERVE.

The “NERVE - Do You Dare” app is an example of how film studios have the opportunity to put people right in the movie via VR.  The player can look down to their body as one of the NERVE stars, and see how it feels to pull off a 'dare' straight from the film.  The experience was created via a mix of live-action VR capture and computer generated imagery, and offers the closest thing possible to actually being in the NERVE film.
 
"Our goal was to immerse fans directly into the thrilling action of NERVE's insane 'dare' sequences, letting them experience these scenes from the same perspective as the characters on screen," said David Edwards, VP of Digital Marketing at Lionsgate. "A first-person VR experience was the ideal format."
 
The exclusive content was captured live on set with stunt actors during the films’ main production, and includes the insanely real dare of crossing a ladder between two buildings dozens of floors above New York city streets, or surviving a high-speed skateboard ride hitched to a police car.  You can dare your friends to see who’s brave enough to complete the experiences. The first-person perspective of being in the full body of the actual film characters means that keeping your balance feels as real as the dares themselves.
 
In the film and in VR you are either a "PLAYER” working to complete the dares, or a "WATCHER" to see what other Players from around the world have already dared to do.  
 
“Every kid grows up wishing they could be the actor or stunt person in a movie like NERVE,” says Tai Crosby, Founder, SilVR Thread. “With the first-person point-of-view NERVE VR app, we are powerfully transporting people directly into the movie scene as their favorite actor. The adrenaline is immense.”
 

The app is available for Gear VR via Oculus Home as well as for Google Cardboard via the Android and iOS stores.

Cats And VR

The limited edition Mr Robot VR episode is live again! No VR headset required to watch in 360°.

The MR. Robot VR experience that premiered during San Diego Comic Con for a limited time is back. Not only is it back but it is offered as just a 360° video for those without a headset. If you have not seen it and are a fan of the show it is pretty damn good and is full of the feels. Worth watching in VR. 

http://www.usanetwork.com/mrrobot/vr

Cats And VR

HelloVR bringing MetaWorld social VR experience to Vive, Oculus, & PlayStationVR

"We are creating something magical with Improbable,” says Dedric Reid, founder and CEO, HelloVR. “Creating a social VR experience poses new challenges like head tracking on a massive scale, and networked physics so people can realistically interact in a persistent shared space. We are happy to reveal how we will be solving all of these challenges and opening up a new category of entertainment - by collaborating with Improbable, and building on SpatialOS.”

HelloVR’s MetaWorld will place players in nearly 10,000 square miles of virtual environment in the first ever massive, physics-based virtual social space of its kind. The scale of the simulated world, and its networked physics, is enabled by SpatialOS.

“HelloVR has designed MetaWorld from the ground up to take full advantage of room-scale VR and 360 degree freedom of movement,” said Herman Narula, Founder and CEO, Improbable.

“That means that, standing inside this massive VR world and looking out at the horizon, there's something distinctly otherworldly about knowing that “out there” really does exist. Building on SpatialOS means that there are no loading tricks or fake backdrops: if you can see it, you can travel to it - step by step if you want to. And if you make a change to any part of the world, that change persists and can be experienced by everyone else who visits. Your actions have lasting consequences; they matter. That’s a key part of making a virtual world feel real.”

Later this year, the studio plans to release an early version of this vast open-world experience. The release, entitled MetaWorld Pioneer Edition, invites early adopters to begin populating and shaping the new world. Visitors will be able to participate in outdoor physics simulations including: camping, fishing, farming, archery, hot air balloon flights, road trips, meditation retreats and more. A suite of creative tools for building and making in MetaWorld will follow next year.MetaWorld Pioneer Edition from HelloVR is currently in closed alpha, and will be available for HTC Vive Oculus Rift, and PlayStationVR.

Visitors will also be able to experience the world without a VR headset using standard computers and mobile devices.

To sign up for early access, please visit http://www.metaworldvr.com .

The Nico360 looks to be a good introductory 360° Camera, available for pre-order.

The Nico360 is available now for pre-order on Indiegogo at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-s-smallest-360-camera-nico360#/, shipping in August, priced at $149. A limited number of cameras are available on Indiegogo priced 40% off at $99 for the super early bird special. Once those are gone, the price will go up to $119, with final retail pricing at $149. A free Nico360 iOS and Android app is available to instantly share videos and photos.  For more information, see the website: http://www.nico360.com.

This camera does seem to offer a bevy of options at a very affordable price point. Key features includes in camera stitching and live streaming options. 

Cats And VR