Identity in virtual spaces

Executive summary

Welcome to your weekly briefing on the metaverse and spatial computing. Here are your snippets to sound smarter in meetings this week. This will also be a shorter one as I travel to Rotterdam for Immersive Tech Week, to give an opening talk. I expect a bigger issue after the announcements from the show floor.

Stories

• 3lbXR has launched the open beta for GroKit Core, a Unity toolkit designed to streamline XR application development with full-code and low-code solutions, saving developers time and enhancing results.

• FEMPUNKS, a VR rhythm game featuring an exclusive soundtrack from female-led punk bands worldwide, has been released by 20 Below Games.

• The GameTech Early Careers Programme, starting 16 December 2024, offers fully funded training in Unity or Unreal Engine, preparing participants for creative tech careers through flexible, hands-on learning and paid project opportunities.

• Nem x Mila released the qualitative report Identity in the Metaverse, exploring how 1,012 social VR users perceive and express identity in virtual spaces worldwide.

• ROBOCRACY, a dynamic VR shooter, is now available on SteamVR as of 30 November 2024, following its earlier release on the Oculus Store.

• Varjo has launched Teleport, a smartphone-based ultra high-resolution 3D scanning service, available for $29.99 per month after a beta that reduced scanning times to minutes.

• VITURE launched Immersive 3D Powered by AI and the Pro Neckband, both compatible with VITURE Pro XR Glasses, enhancing mobile XR experiences with AI-driven visuals and gesture controls.

Personal update

I haven’t given this for a while, so this is a good a time as any. Things have been ok! I’ve finally tackled my back catalogue of films to watch (the Paddington movies are excellent) and got into the bigger ones coming this season (Wicked is all good vibes). Book-wise, I am going through Some Desperate Glory, a sci-fi romp with a great writing style.

A goal in London next year is to go to more plays and make the most of the city. If you have any questions (or even film / play / event recommendations) then email me at tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com. See you next week!

Note: The Immersive Wire is run by Tom Ffiske, who also works within Accenture’s metaverse group. The contents of the newsletter should not be regarded as Accenture’s views.