Augmented reality(AR) is such an beautiful and effective media. Where the real world becomes digitized to enhance how we experience it. There is a basic conceptual foundation, yet complex methodologies for stabilized AR experiences. First, digital objects needs to be tracked in relation to the physical environment. Second, the screen door and shutter effect needs to be resolved to reduce the uncanny effects of digital objects. Third, digital objects need to interact with the physical environment in a realistic way. Fourth, people need to have intuitive and seamless interactions with digital objects in the physical environment.
Fortunately, dedicated individuals have came up with various methodologies to achieve these. These people have formed their own studios to help those wanting to skip the rigorous work of AR creation and get straight to developing the experience itself, rather than the mechanics of AR. This is great for brands who now can go to an AR studio for streamlining AR production for branded AR experiences.
Rock Paper Reality propelling AR
With over 12 years of AR development experience, Rock Paper Reality(RPR) is a pioneering studio offering brands an convenient way to create stabilized AR experiences. “Rock Paper Reality is an Augmented Reality design agency that helps startups and Fortune 500s in marketing, education, entertainment, and retail agencies harness the full value of AR.” The dedicated AR studio is led by Bobby King(Founder, COO), Patrick Johnson(Founder, CEO), Preston Platt(Founder, CTO) and Jiten Dajee(Head of Digital Strategy). Their leadership has won them Best-In-Show at the renowned extended reality(XR) event coordinator, Augmented World Expo.
Digital services for stabilized AR experiences
They offer valuable services, including AR app production, unique AR gift packaging, WebAR implementation and expert consulting for effective AR experiences. With so many years in AR development they have a robust toolset for AR production. ARKit, AR Core, Vuforia, 8th Wall are only the few XR tools Rock Paper Reality utilizes to bring AR content to life. The AR studio also has the expertise to implement AR for mobile devices(iOS/Android), XR head-mounted-displays(Lenovo Explore/Hololens/Magic Leap) and WebAR. Magic Leap and Hololens has been increasingly adopted by companies in various industries. Useful for visual prototyping of ideas and integrated environment on-board training, which Rock Paper Reality has the very means to do.
Fantastical media for product packaging
Siduri, a subsidiary of Jackson Family Wines and distinguished Pinot Noir specialist, partnered with RPR to produce a leading photorealistic WebAR experiences for wine connoisseurs. The WebAR app introduces people to holographic Adam Lee, the founder of Siduri, where he takes them on a fun adventure of shenanigans. RPR called on Microsoft’s volumetric capture team to create the hologram of Adam Lee. With holographic Adam Lee, various 3D digital assets, smart partnership for effective workflow, the Siduri wine bottle is brought to life. The objective of the Siduri AR application is to increase brand engagement and provide customers an unique way interact with their products. The experience is accessible through the QR code on the wine bottle label.
Immersive application for selecting Saatchi hosted art pieces
For the art lovers or those wanting to redecorate their abodes with beautiful pieces of artwork, will find value in Saatchi Art WebAR application, “View In A Room”. RPR developed an AR showcase app, where people could try out different art pieces on their wall. Utilizing 8th Wall’s WebAR platform, millions of art pieces by nearly 100k artists can be viewed without downloading any application. One of the largest e-commerce AR application to date. Giving people the ability to physically see how an piece of art will look in their homes or other places increases sales, reduces product returns and enhances the customer experience. And the fact there is no need to download additional applications makes for a smoother sales channel. “View In A Room” has re-imagined the e-commerce experience, giving costumers a more visceral approach to buying product or in this case, artwork.
Propelling stabilized AR experiences
What used to be seen only in science fiction, is now reality with dedicated XRists proving the value of augmented reality. After all, we already rely on heavy computing devices for our day-to-day activities. How about use that computational power to elevate the way we experience life. This is what Rock Paper Reality offers brands and people who connect with their captivating experiences. A studio that will be recognized from Around Your Screen.
Thank you for reading!
With extended reality(XR) headsets becoming increasingly popular and mobile devices with strong computing capabilities, XR developers have been on the mission to create techniques for visceral XR interactions. Early interactions in mobile XR expriences, used either a capacitive button on a cardboard VR headset or flat controls panel in the scene itself. When the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift first arrived, they came with their own haptic solutions. But as time past and more people began to see the impact of XR technology, more techniques for visceral XR interactions were formed.
XR studio propelling visceral mobile XR interactions
The Pantomime Corporation has been at the forefront of the XR user-interface. Before the release of the pioneering XR headsets, Pantomime has been developing techniques to incorporate users devices to be used as an object that interacts with the scene. To put the device in the action. Essentially, “mobile user visit shared worlds, reach in and interact.”
Dr. David Levitt and Don Hopkins founded Pantomime in 2014, quickly achieving the Silicon Valley Launch Cup for Digital Media and Mobile. Dr. Levitt holds a MIT doctorate in AI, a B.S. from Yale and have patents for next-level XR environment interactions. If you ever played The Sims, then you have experienced the work of the founder and Chief Software Architect Core developer of the recognized game franchise, Don Hopkins. Eric Hedman is the Key Content Developer for the Sim’s franchise and its expansion packs, who is now the Content Lead for Pantomime. There is also a expert group of advisors assisting in Pantomime’s endeavors. A testament to their dedication for advancing XR tech.
Pantomime has a fun way of showcasing visceral mobile XR interactions
They have XR games that showcases visceral XR interactions. Pantomime Creatues AR is one experience where people can feed, capture, scoop up and play with dinosaurs, right on their tabletop or a flat surface. The game incorporates shared gameplay through a shared Wi-Fi network. Players can see each other’s movements within the game. The actually framework of the game is practically flawless, making for seamless real-time virtual interactions. The dinosaurs can be scooped up, pushed and paddled with the smart-device itself. And they are quite alive, chasing food, flying and making noises.
When playing Creatures AR, players tilt, turn and swing their devices for in-game motions. If want to paddle a dinosaur, then simply paddle them with the tablet of smartphone rather than pressing button on screen to initiate the maneuver. Though there is a flat UI that provides players additional options for gameplay. Using either 1, 2 or 3 fingers, players can tap the screen, sending either food or snowballs at the dinos. The same combination of fingers can be used to navigate within the scene through swipe gestures. The combination of a flat UI and in-game smart-device makes for seamless intuitive gameplay. This implementation of the smart device enables players deeper interactions within the XR scene.
Continuing to optimize augmented reality features
Pantomime’s device-tracking tech can replicate the shape and size of the users device in the game. As stated by them, people “can accurately reach into first person 3D worlds with most any mobile device, join other people in them, and see into them through… flawless screens that increasingly surround us.” And indeed they’ve accomplished this objective. With their propelling effort for more visceral XR interactions, they are undoubtedly pushing what’s possible for immersive mobile experiences. It true, they are showing us all what’s possible from Around Your Screen.
Thank you for reading!
P.S.- Possibly Legacy Studio
The arcade used to be the place people would go to have a visceral and tactile gaming experiences. It was the place to test your gaming skills against the public. Arcade’s were notorious for having “unbeatable” games, driving hardcore gamers to break the machine. But also a place where peers, friends and families could have a fun time. A vibrant culture was built around the arcade experience. What happened to the arcade industry? Where did the arcades go? Are the on the outskirts of society now? Just maybe, but with the emergence of VR arcade management platforms, arcades could once again be a popular place of social engagement and exploring new exclusive immersive experiences.
Location Based Entertainment Venues benefit from VR Arcade management platform
SpringboardVR, a Vertigo Games acquisition, is a recognized solution for setting up a VR arcade. When VR was realized with the release of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, there wasn’t too many VR marketplaces set up to easily find and experience VR content. This has been slowly solved with VR marketplaces like SideQuest VR. But still wasn’t quite solving the dilemma of serving LBE venues that could greatly benefit from VR tech.
LBE venues have the open space that many people may not want to invest in their own homes. VR can be experienced without consumers having invest in their own VR gear. These locations could also serve as a firsthand experiences that could lead to personal investment in VR gear. LBE venues would be the way cheaper alternative to theme parks. Ultimately being places of thriving social engagement and immersive gaming experiences.
Marketplace of experiences from SpringboardVR
Instead of venue managers having to figure out how to time VR gaming sessions or uploading new VR experiences for arcade goers, SpringboardVR provides an all-in-one VR management platform. In addition to the extensive SpringboardVR marketplace, in addition to HAZE VR, venue managers have access plenty of titles to curate from. Individual booth game installations are automated for added selected VR games. Meaning no manual game installs for each VR booth.
Session timing with Springboard’s VR arcade management platform
Time spent in sessions are automatically clocked, requiring no need to pull out the stopwatch. Automatic clocking helps with cost management since most of the game through the VR marketplace are pay-by-minute. This brings the quarter-to-play feature for VR experiences in arcades. Essentially, after initial setup, all VR booths connected to the SpringboardVR account is easily maintainable through a single VR management system.
VR management for educational institutions
The same platform for managing VR arcades can be used for education objectives. SpringboardVR makes it easier to curate VR content for curriculum plans, through their centralized educational VR marketplace. In-house licensed educators provide content lesson guides for seamless application of educational VR. As with the VR arcade management platform, content can be launched and monitored remotely. Content can also be restricted for each students for individualized lesson plans. Students are also able to request virtual assistance from the instructor without having to be in the same physical space. For cohesive learning, students can be launched in the same station simultaneously.
The sort of VR solution for education is truly revolutionary. Expanding the pace and efficiency at which students learn with gamification of education. Meaning more tactile and interactive learning, being guided by the instructor. Ben Wilkof states “SpringboardVR is the only way I know of to ensure VR runs smoothly and autonomously at our school… where students have to get in and out quickly.” A true statement to how SpringboardVR is impacting educational practices.
Springboard is propelling the future
SpringboardVR is a solid solution for managing VR experiences remotely. Making conducting business in VR effortlessly as well as enhancing the learning experience. What was being pondered as a use-case of virtual reality no too long ago, is now being proven with solutions that SpringboardVR offers. Maybe the next VR arcade you visit, you will see the power of SpringboardVR.
Thank you for reading from Around Your Screen!
Within the past few years, there has been a significant increase in production of extended reality(XR) applications. Through these endeavors to propel the XR industry, many use cases has emerged and been proven to be effective. Brands have found XR media to enhance brand engagement. Branded XR solutions provides exponentially more content real-estate for brands to tell their story and make informational content entertaining(infotainment). This allows consumers a more visceral experience when exploring products and services without them having to purchase and test-drive. Individuals have already utilized and produced XR when applying photo filters or live digital effects on video streams. This is easily seen on social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat. But there immersive experiences wouldn’t be as prevalent without dedicated development teams and XR enthusiasts pushing the bounds of XR technology.
Award winning studio enhancing brand strategy
MediaSquad is an XR production studio based in Austria. They have been a trusted for various branded XR solutions. Their immersive media solutions gained them the 2020 VR Enterprise solution of the Year award and Prix Victoria 2020 VR experience award. Making recruitment pamphlets interactive with quizzes or developing a full-scale virtual training environment is very much within their expertise. Best stated by the MediaSquad, “with great attention to detail, perfect user experience design and seasoned with a pinch of gamification, we create virtual presentations, trainings, showrooms and assessments.”
Branded XR solutions used for assessing job recruits
The BRP-Rotax job assessment virtual reality(VR) application is what won them the VR Enterprise Solution of the Year Award. BRP-Rotax turned to MediaSquad for assessing potential recruits on their production line. Manufacturing production lines have inherit risks, due to how fast and alert an employee has to be to keep to schedule. The VR job assessment provides BRP-Rotax real-time performance data on potential recruits. This reduces the risk of hiring an employee to see how they’ll perform on the job, reducing recruitment costs. It is a high-fidelity VR solution for assisting BRP-Rotax in filtering out applicants.
Immersive gameplay is part of MediaSquad’s repertoire
Though MediaSquad can develop high-end XR solutions for enterprise businesses, doesn’t mean they’re all work and no play. Mühle VR is an competitive VR game based on a German board game. Players are placed within a Roman inspired environment to face off. Each player receives 9 pieces in which they must strategically move around the board to eliminate the other players pieces by creating mühles, a.k.a. mills. A mill is created with 3 pieces either aligned horizontally or vertically. The winner is determined when an opponent only has 2 pieces left. Players have an option to compete against a computer or another person in VR. Mühle VR is available on the Oculus Store.
Branded AR solutions for educational handbooks
Since MediaSquad is an all-around XR production studio, they are also a trusted solution in augmented reality(AR) production. INNIO Jenbacher commissioned the squad digitally augment an educational book targeted towards young learners. The book presents pop-out mini-games, 3D models of engines and unlockable content exploring INNIO Jenbacher. There are achievements that can be attained. When necessary achievements are attained the learners will unlock the ultimate goal, Application Plus. This gamification of printed media makes for much more engaging learning experiences, verses viewing flat content. The educational AR book has been featured on Wikitude.
Trade fairs benefiting from branded XR solution
During the Career & Competence trade fair, the premium jewelry producer Swarovski had MediaSquad work on the Endless Facets AR App. Attendees could download the app and point their smart device towards a specialized wall, displaying various interactive data about the company. Data such as amount of water recycled from jewelry production and real-time location of sellers across the world can be viewed. The AR wall was an digitized pop-out experience, increasing brand engagement and enlightening attendees. This is the sort of branded XR solutions that all trade fairs should consider when enhancing their attendees experience.
There is still much to discover in the realm of XR. But seeing dedicated XR studios like MediaSquad, signifies that XR is becoming an valued solution for companies and brands to implement. After all, in the age of accelerating technology, it is only beneficial to elevate people’s day-to-day experiences. Interacting with brands, companies and individuals is part of those experiences. Now it’s time to embrace our endeavors with a little bit of XR.
Thank you for reading from Around Your Screen!