It’s been sometime since VRFocus heard much about Icelandic virtual reality (VR) software developer Aldin (previously called Aldin Dynamics), the creator of Waltz of the Wizard for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Today, the team has revealed a successful seed funding round, securing the studio $1 million USD of investment.
The funding round was led by Crowberry Capital and joined by angel fund Investa and the Icelandic Technology Development Fund. Aldin will use the investment to produce new consumer VR entertainment products and to further develop the company’s technologies to make more believable VR worlds.
“The ability of old entertainment formats to astound and amaze is fading because we’ve seen it all before. We are ready for something new and completely different,” said Hrafn Thorri Thorisson, CEO & co-founder of Aldin in a statement. “Believable reality experiences are unlike anything that’s been possible in the past, offering the accessibility of movies and interactivity beyond conventional games. Since nothing can play on our emotions like reality, believable virtual realities are set to become the most emotionally engaging format in entertainment history.”
Aldin is currently developing a new VR title which it says will: “let users step into a fantastical world and become acquainted with a character in ways that could only happen in VR, powered by XR AI systems that help form personal connections with characters beyond what’s possible with screenbound entertainment.”
The new experience unites the elements of Aldins past products, Trial of the Rift Drifter, Asunder and Waltz of the Wizard, with further details and release dates set to be announced in the latter half of 2018.
“We’ve been at the forefront of VR since 2013, focusing on content and technologies that bring immersion and presence to the level that justifies VR and gives people a reason to want it,” adds Gunnar Steinn Valgardsson, CTO & co-founder of Aldin. “We are humbled and thankful for the amazing response to our earlier work. We’re now at the next frontier and we are going to deliver experiences that place users in worlds that are only possible in VR.”
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Aldin, reporting back with its latest announcements.