Virtual Perceptions

By Tom Ffiske // 13 May 2020New to the newsletter? 

"Day XX of self-isolation. I didn't buy the Millenium Falcon, but I did buy the LEGO ISS Space Station. Whoops."

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THE BIG STORY

AR is the next natural step for creative filters on the platform. With interactable elements, companies can sell a different kind of engagement rate: the number of 'clicks' it has as it is delivered. Snapchat doubled down on its AR offering to boost its revenue, and reaped considerable success through 2019. As TikTok takes over the lives of children, teens, and young adults, TikTok is poised to take more market share as the world self-isolates. The company knows it, as they roll out new ads in the UK. Will the plan work? Potentially. TikTok's is designed to keep users on the platform for as long as possible, offering a waterfall of fresh content matched to their tastes. Think of it as YouTube's recommendation algorithm, only it takes a swipe of a finger and very little thinking to be delivered something fresh and new. It's innovative and powerful, a natural evolution of how algorithms are designed to keep us on sites. The retention time gives TikTok a lot of influence. 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS

Virtual Library is your virtual reality reading list, providing marketing tips, insights, news, interviews, and more. Powered by VR marketing agency, Virtual Umbrella.

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OTHER STORIES

• Another reminder to sign up for the VR/AR Association Online Summit. Check it out here. 

• A jobs board mistake implies that the PS5 may be coming October 2020. Why do I mention this? Because other rumours say the PSVR 2 may launch alongside it. Though currently, these whispers are unsubstantiated. 

• Nearly 20% of US consumers have used VR, according to Thrive Analytics and ARtillery Intelligence. The report doesn't make clear whether it includes 360-degree videos, a common element I have seen repeatedly across multiple reports to bulk up their numbers. 

• Like Doctor Who or Peaky Blinders? Maze Theory announced an expansion plan for both franchises and new content, after some funding from the UK Creative Content EIS Fund. Nice work! I loved playing their last VR Doctor Who game. 

KAZIMIR BIELECKI AND LENNIE VARVARIDES - THE IMMERSIVE WIRE INTERVIEW

Kazimir Bielecki and Lennie Varvarides are from DYSPLA, a neurodivergent, Tottenham based studio lead by the award-winning disabled artists. Supported by the Arts Council England, DYSPLA produces the work of neurodivergent storymakers. One of my favourite episodes, we cover the philosophy behind immersive.

FINAL WORD

The second article argues that Sony should release multiple SKUs, to help boost its reach. The writer, Jamie Feltham, suggested that a standalone option may work wonders if the company is brave enough to take the significant step of literally stepping away from their console ecosystem. But if they do, then they may achieve PSP levels of success. If they fail, they may reach PSP VITA levels of failure. Both articles mirror my personal views on the VR market, with caveats so minimal that they are not worth mentioning for now. Support the site and read today.