Mind Blown at VRLA 2015
Do you know what virtual reality is? Some of you reading this are thinking “duh, it’s the next gen of experiential video entertainment!” and some of you are thinking “next gen what?” and that’s okay. While the idea of VR has floated around in the realms of video games and digital environments since the 1990s, the concept has only recently gained enough traction to excite tech nerds and pedestrians alike. To get technical, virtual reality is a computer simulated three-dimensional environment that you can interact with in a seemingly or real way. This is done using some heavy-duty equipment typically involving goggles and/or a helmet with screens inside and sometimes additional body wear, suspension gear, or a stationary track. Imagine riding a dinosaur in Jurassic Park or flying over the pyramids of Egypt, running along the Great Wall of China or winning the Hunger Games as Katniss Everdeen – that’s the potential of VR!
Photo Credit: VRLA
Now, why are we posting about virtual reality aside from the fact that this exciting, immersive technology will soon be a household staple? Because Particle is at the forefront of VR’s advancement and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Our breakout into this rousing industry was with a recent client, Starbreeze Studios, when we threw their pre-E3 party at the House of Blues where they announced the development of a Walking Dead game in VR. With the taste of what is obviously the next step in entertainment, gaming, and multimedia education, we couldn’t just stop there.
This past weekend, Particle attended the Virtual Reality Los Angeles (VRLA) Summer Expo at the LA convention center. This is technically VRLA’s third year running, although it started as just a 100-person meetup two years ago and is now a massive exposition with 3,000 attendees. It was amazing to see thousands of people passionate about this technology’s potential in one place, showcasing their products in front of an equally enthralled crowd. As we mentioned earlier, VR is just entered into the mainstream but a thriving community of insiders has been in the works for years now.
VRLA is put on by The Virtual Reality Foundation, a non-profit founded in 2014 that was created at the nexus of the emerging medium of virtual reality and Los Angeles’ entertainment industry.
Photo Credit: VRLA
“VRLA started as my side project to bring together virtual reality enthusiasts like me,“ said Cosmo Scharf, Co-Founder, VRLA. “We’re proud to have been in on the ground floor of the VR industry, and to provide a home for the latest innovations.”
VR is not an entirely new concept and for those of us with good memories can recall arcade games from over a decade ago with some VR aspect. The capabilities of VR have also been exaggerated in the movies for dozens of years which brings to mind titles like Tron, The Matrix, and Minority Report. However, the technology has been refined to the point where it’s not just a dream anymore but is accessible and, very importantly, affordable. What’s impressive is that many of these advancements have been made by sole individuals and small operations who believe in its power and VRLA is where they convene to show it off.
Photo Credit: VRLA
“We aim to highlight incredible work and foster some friendly competition,” said Jonnie Ross, Founder of The Proto Awards. “For VR to reach the masses, people need knockout experiences. We exist to showcase the most original and daring work, and the people who create it.”
The Proto Awards is also produced by The Virtual Reality Founday and is where the developers, groundbreakers and tastemakers of the VR world are acknowledged for the progress they’ve made. This is the second year the awards are planned to take place, coming to the AVALON Hollywood on September 22, 2015. This year’s host is Jonah Ray, co-host of The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail on Comedy Central, The Nerdist on BBC America and the wildly successful Nerdist podcast. Even with all the product demos at VRLA 2015, we are just as excited for the Proto Awards simply because it is so rewarding to see passionate people get recognized for their work. Award categories included Most Transportive, Best Live Action Experience, Best Mobile Experience, Best Student Experience, Best Art Direction, and Best Educational Experience among others.
Photo Credit: VRLA
Now that Particle is back in the office, fueled up and inspired to carry VR to the next level, we can’t wait to launch our new projects in the works. What is Particle up to in the VR world? You’ll have to keep an eye on us to find out! Unfortunately these developments are still hush-hush but we can tell you that they involve seeing the remote corners of the world from the convenience of your desk chair and even experiencing other worlds from the one we live on. If that’s doesn’t leave you wanting more, we don’t know what will!
-Edward Heinrich