The Immersive Wire - 13 April 2022 (News edition)

The Immersive Wire - 13 April 2022 (News edition)

April 13, 2022

By Tom Ffiske

VR/AR and metaverse analysis every Wednesday and Sunday // 13 April 2022

TOP STORYRubbing a Geenee in a bottle

EXCLUSIVE: Geenee AR and Ready Player Me announced an integration that allows anyone to use their Ready Player Me avatar in WebAR.

  • Why is this significant? Geenee is the first and only WebAR platform that offers full-body tracking, which ties nicely to discussions on digital identities.

  • Once their Ready Player Me avatar is made, users can download a .glb file that is compatible with the Geenee platform. AR graphics can be overlaid in ways that follow body movements.

  • The social media side is positive too; devs can use Geenee’s WebAR SDK to build custom AR experiences featuring Ready Player Me avatars, including multiplayer games and avatars that mimic dance moves.

  • My thanks to the teams for allowing the Immersive Wire to announce this first.

TikTok

has made its AR tools available for its user

s, called

  • A huge deal. TikTok is one of the great powerhouses of social media, outstripping the likes of Facebook and YouTube when it comes to attention for younger generations.

  • As AR is already highly engaging, the potential for its tools on the platform is massive. We already see viral content when it is spliced together with users, adding to the virality of certain trends.

  • Safe to say that, alongside Spark AR, it is one tool to get comfortable with quickly if companies want to reach younger generations.

Epic Games

raise

d another $2bn

  • The company has a strong foundation to build on in the future, with investments from Sony - a gaming company - and KIRKBI, who wants to build a 'family-friendly' metaverse.

  • The real winner is Tencent which invested $330m in 2012 for 48.4% of the company (they now own 40%). 10/10 move.

Trapped in a black hole of time. Photo credit: Tom Ffiske.

Creative technologists from Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the United States will participate in PitchBLACK Forum: Immersive. The winner will receive $50K USD in funding, and the runner-up will receive $25K. Projects include AI, 360VR, 6DOF VR, projection mapping, and AR projects. Watch the contest on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 13:00 ET and 19:00 CET.

OTHER STORIESSipping cola in hidden app labs

If you have any news, then respond to this email or contact tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com.

  • Accenture designed a metaverse for its employees.

  • Avatar Dimension is making its 3D volumetric capture studio available to customers.

  • Didimo launched a new full-body avatar solution.

  • Coca-Cola launched a metaverse-related drink.

    • While I rolled my eyes, I am still curious to see what it actually tastes like.

  • ENGAGE XR announced that its partner, VictoryXR, will launch ten metaversities in the US this fall.

  • EOLIA, the symphonic fantasy-adventure follow-up in the award-winning Rhythm of the Universe series, will come out on Meta Quest 2 this summer.

  • Fracked, an action-adventure game, is coming to Viveport and Steam on 5 May.

  • Future of Film Incubator is now open for applications to their free talent development programme, and welcomes immersive projects.

  • Glimpse Group has announced the appointment of immersive technology marketer James Watson as CMO.

  • HBAR Foundation announced a $250m metaverse fund to onboard consumer brands onto Hedera Hashgraph.

  • Meta revealed that 1,400 titles are available via App Lab.

    • A sizable number. The same Protocol interview showed that a curated app store helps to retain users, which is why their store is so controlled nowadays. Well worth a read if you want to see why Meta controls its content.

    • Also, Meta is monetising Horizon Worlds - albeit at a very high rate.

  • Lumus announced today that it is introducing two new products, expanding its Maximus line.

  • Startup Wise Guys launched a new XR accelerator.

  • Synth Riders unveiled the Lindsey Stirling Music Pack.

  • Ultraleap announced a Hand Tracking Accessory for the Pico Neo 3 Pro and Pico Neo 3 Pro Eye.

  • Vuzix announced that it has formalised a reseller agreement with VR Expert.

  • The XR Stories Internship scheme is open to creative industry SMEs in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Jobs boardDISTRIBUTION AND TOURING PRODUCER. Marshmallow Laser Feast is looking for someone to join our team as a Distribution & Touring Producer. You will have a desire to work at the bleeding edge of immersive storytelling and help shape how that work is distributed globally. We see the development and distribution of MLF’s own work as key to the future success of the business, a key revenue stream and integral in building global brand awareness. This new role will be a vital part of the core team that formulates and realises this ambitious vision. Learn more. Find more roles here.

That's all for this week! Want to have a chat, let me know about a news story, or talk business? Either reply to this email, or contact tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com. Have an excellent day!