After having done a bit more research on the topic, I have discovered the Void is an extension of a much larger concept called “Evermore.” The project description is written up in this page for Theme Park University.
Evermore does have a Facebook page and I would encourage anyone interested to check it out.
Needless to say this is all very encouraging since it confirms the rantings of this blog in a very commercial direction.
Ok – I have to admit –
I am a little freaked out now.
This is exactly what I have been talking about for the last few years:
I really don’t know much about the Void but I am totally wigging out. It is almost like they have taken my idea and run with it. However, this is such a radical concept yet I am willing to let these guys take the initial punches while I learn and watch. I am jealous as all hell but excited as well. Other share the same vision and it will become reality.
Having dealt with much of these issues I realize that what these guys are doing is not easy. If they have what they claim to then they have already sunk millions of dollars into the tech. I am suspicious. However, I am looking forward to see how this progresses.
There has been a ton of VR activity the last couple of weeks. The Tech community is going crazy. Just as I had envisioned it years ago, the wave is breaking! With the seeming commercial success of one VR application; Occulus, Hololens, we will see an influx of money flowing to the technological development of the other sense.
As expected, Smell-O-Viosn has made its footstamp.
Although just a kickstarter, FeelReal is just the first of non-visual haptic feedback systems. There will be more for sure. I’ll need to dig deep into the Raconteur coffers and throw them a bone.
This is way cool. Last week we looked at an interface device for immersive VR that allowed the user’s shoes to elevate with the terrain. Nice Idea but hardly practical.
This new device, on the other hand is very cool. This still is very confining. But Oh!, what it can do!
I’m kind of wigging out about this. However, this is the wave and it’s starting to break. I see my opening. I’m going for it!
River is a collection of 13 new VR start-ups receiving funding from Rothberg Ventures.
As with any new venture, it will be interesting to see where and how far these start-ups will attain.
Based in: Tokyo, Japan
Website: http://fove-inc.com/
Based in: Czech Republic
Website: http://www.worldofcomenius.com/
Based in: South Africa
Website: http://sdklab.com/
Based in: Toronto, Canada
Website: http://immersivediscovery.com/
Based in Spain
Website: http://psious.com/
Founders: Howard Rose, Ari Hollander
Website: http://deepstreamvr.com/
Based in: Los Angeles, CA
Website: http://reload-studios.com/
Based in: Paris, France
Website: http://innerspacevr.com/
Based in: Argentina
Website: thehumgame.com
Based in: Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.emblematicgroup.com/
Founders: Juan Santillan, Michael Richardson
Website: vantage.tv
Based in: Australia
Website: http://www.triggar.com.au/
Based in SF
Website: n/a (but placehold, www.emergentvr.com)
Here it is guys and galls. Microsoft, in support for their Windows 10, released information about a holographic AR headset they have been working on called, “HoloLens”. With Hololens, the user’s perspective of reality is altered and changed.
In my prior article, Immersive Storyworld, I call for a technology which transforms an existing physical reality into a new alternative virtual storyworld. Will HoloLens be able to satisfy that need? It hard to tell, I’ll need to grab one of these, along with an Occulus Rift, and do me best to start developing a virtual reality experience. Time will tell.
This recent article explains some of the features of the new patent registered by Magic Leap:
While a patent does not really mean anything directly, it does show the direction which progressive thinks are thinking of taking immersive, technologies.
A tool such at the device introduced in the article would be perfect for the the Raconteur Immersive Storyworld.
Waiting for more to develop.
I came upon an article from Gamasutra lately discussing the possible avenues upon which VR could entertain:
Ultimately the article says that if VR is only good for first person shooters, what else can it be used for?
The article mentions that one of the possible uses of VR could be towards interactive storytelling:
“Interactive narrative (an opportunity to generate different points of connection brought about by presence in a story)”
I concur with this belief for it is one of the angle upon which I believe I will be able to launch Raconteur. Interactive Storytelling is still in its infancy. There is a mountain of work needed to be done before anything like the Holodeck is created. In the US, money for research flows where there is opportunity to make money. This is where I believe VR can help interactive Storytelling. I consulted Chris Crawford about this opportunity. He concluded the more substantial problems of language were slowing the progress of Interactive Storytelling, “the central problems in interactive storytelling are not matters of presentation; our killer problems are matters of language.”
Indeed, VR may be a superficial aspect of Interactive Storytelling especially concerning interpersonal interactions within the story. However, VR Is “virtually” here. By exploiting this wave I feel we could piggy-back the realm of Interactive Storytelling to increase attention and ultimately funding for addressing the big problems within the field. The more people and we have creating demand for Interactive Storytelling, the greater the opportunity to mature it to its full potential.
I look for occasional motivations and conformations that what I am trying to do with Raconteur is the right thing and the approach I am taking will succeed.
I recent came upon this article in Gamasutra which talks about the business side of game authoring:
http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/PaulWu/20141110/229786/How_to_Make_Games_a_Real_Business.php
While I am not trying to develop Raconteur as a computer game company, I am trying to develop it as a juxtaposition with the film world. This article explains many of the problems plaguing game developers and offers possible solutions to resolve those issues. These solutions are are mostly taken from the film world. I have integrated many of these same concepts into the Raconteur business model.
This mutual thought process gives me inspiration that the direction I am trying to take Raconteur is a good one.