The Immersive Wire - 20 April 2022 (News edition)

The Immersive Wire - 20 April 2022 (News edition)

April 20, 2022

By Tom Ffiske

VR/AR and metaverse analysis every Wednesday and Sunday // 20 April 2022

TOP STORYRubbing a Geenee in a bottle 

Razorfish and VICE Media Group released a study on how Gen Z and millennials see the metaverse. 

  • The study defines the metaverse as something that already exists. "Through virtual events, AR, gaming, and other immersive experiences, the metaverse is impacting the way Gen Z thinks, acts, socialises, and spends money every day."

  • I don't agree with this. The common conception of the metaverse is long into the future, where interoperable worlds can connect together and will open new doors when it comes to economics, social interactions, and experiences. At most, we have various micro-metaverses where people play in private worlds (such as Fortnite); but it's a stretch to say we are already in the metaverse. 

  • Another weakness is that it focuses on gamers. While gaming will certainly be part of the metaverse, it further confused the data to the gaming side, when it will be so much bigger. 

  • I recommend having a read if you are focused on video games and the sentiment of gamers within these virtual spaces. But I would have a pinch of salt on a wider analysis, at least for now. 

  • In response to my analysis, Nicolas Chidiac - Brand Strategy Lead at Razorfish who spearheaded this study - said the following: "The intent of the study was to understand the promise of the metaverse, and its world, through the lens of gaming because it is one of the most developed parts of the metaverse, and it hints at what’s to come."

Amazon is hiring for immersive roles

  • It is unclear where the people will focus. An obvious link might be with their e-commerce arm, as AR has been proven to help sales and immerse people with the product. Separately, we may see immersive technologies being used with a new product line. One to watch closely as they research the technology further. 

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. 

  • Among Us VR might release in December 2022.

    • Ironically, the story might seem suspicious (or sus); it comes from application updates released by StreamDB, rather than a full-on confirmation. 

  • Big Brane Studios and nDreams will work together to publish Sushi Ben VR. 

  • Future of Film is looking for applications for its incubator programme, and accepts immersive professionals. 

  • Hadean and PixelMax announce their collaboration to build interactive virtual worlds. 

  • India hosted its first metaverse event, with the help of Gamitronics. 

  • Mayaka Art is pleased to announce the first international arts festival in the metaverse.

    • No, this is not an NFT festival; it primarily focuses on VR. 

    • I would also say that other festivals have been doing VR for longer, such as London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival etc. Still, if you are a creative who wants to be a part of it , I would get in touch. 

  • MetaVRse's TheMall aims to have 100 floors and 100m square feet. 

  • Mytaverse, which helps to manage business spaces, raised $7.6m in seed funding.

  • Niantic announced a new game called Peridot. 

  • Slipknot is launching its own metaverse, called the knotverse. 

    • We are in the worst timeline. 

  • University for the Creative Arts and the University of Greenwich are working in partnership to host the first Extended Senses & Embodying Technology Symposium.

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!