While currently an entertainment platform primarily, virtual reality (VR) is being used to highlight important issues around the world. In December the prestigious Ocean Gala event will take place organized by MaiTai Global and OceanElders. The event brings together global leaders in business and kiteboarding communities for a fundraiser to raise awareness and support for ocean causes. As part of the gala they’ve partnered with VRFEST and Extreme Tech Challenge to present a new oceanic conservation themed VR and augmented reality (AR) filmmaker competition.
Sponsored by: Unofficial Cardboard, Holocube, Phasespace, Pufferfish, Dreamland Entertainment, and PassmoreVR, the competition features ten oceanic conservation themed VR/AR exhibits from some of the world’s leading creators. During the event the experiences will be showcased on the latest head-mounted displays (HMDs) including: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Microsoft Hololens, Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard.
The exhibits will be judged by VR pioneer Greg Passmore (PassmoreVR) along with the XTC VR Ambassadors including Chris Crescitelli (Director of the Extreme VR Challenge), Gregg Katano (Unofficial Cardboard), Nitin Gupta (Google) and Ryan Pulliam (Specular Theory).
“I am honoured to be the Head Judge for the Extreme VR Challenge to support oceanic conservation and look forward to meeting all of the talented filmmakers who were officially selected for this exciting and meaningful event” said Passmore.
The official VR/AR projects selected for the Extreme Virtual Reality Challenge are:
The Click Effect by Sandy Smolan and James Nestor presented by Annapurna & Within
Valen’s Reef by Within & 3DPaint/FX
Share the Science: Climate Change VR by Otherworld Interactive
The Mini Mantas of Maria by Danny Copeland
California Platform Reefs produced by Dryft VR and C.A.R.E.
Aquarium Earth by Phasespace
Cry Out: The Lonely Whale Experience by 3D Live/Dell
Huebert the Holographic Manatee by Mirage Holographic
theBlu by WEVR presented by VRsenal
Great White Sharks by Curioscope
The entrants will be inline for a $10,000 USD cash prize when the winners are announced at the Ocean Gala on Saturday, 3rd December, 2016, in San Francisco, California. Keep reading VRFocus for all the latest VR news from around the world..