Asia VR & AR Industry Development Conference Final Guest Speaker List Confirmed

We may have finished with the Mobile World Congress and GDC but that isn’t the end of activities this month. Across March 8th-9th the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China is playing host to the Asia VR & AR Industry Development Conference & Investment and Financing Forum

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The event is organised by the Guangdong Grandeur International Exhibition Group, and it’s purpose is to “accelerate the healthy development of VR industry”. A large number of industry professionals and academics have been invited as well as representatives from virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology companies.

As you would expect there are a large number of speeches and discussions scheduled, such as Dr. Pan Junjun, Associate Professor of School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University who is speaking on Virtual Operation and its Application in Medicine, which as VRFocus readers will know, is a large growth area in VR at the moment.

Also scheduled to speak is Miss Xu Xiao, Vice President of 7Invensun who is presenting on the importance of VR eye-tracking, another technology seeing development at the moment with regards to advertising, entertainment and medicine.

There will also be a talk on VR and Tourism by Mr. Shi Wei’an, CEO of FLY VR and one on the Shenlinqijing VR theme Park by Mr. Dong Dengyue, CEO of Beijing Shenlinqijing Culture Inc. The fusion of VR and theme parks have become an increasingly popular combination as we have seen in the UK with the VR roller coaster Galactica at Alton Towers and Derren Brown’s Ghost Train at Thorpe Park. VRFocus contributor Kevin Williams is also due to give a talk on “The New Business Model VR & AR Attractions”.

Any news coming out of this event we will of course make you aware of.

MARCH 8TH

Theme: Perfect Fusion between VR and AR

Mr. Kevin Williams,
Founder of DNA & CEO of KWP
Speech Topic: The New Business Model VR&AR Attractions

Mr. Wen Junlei,
Director of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence Industry Academy of China Industry Development Research Center of Tsinghua SEM
Speech Topic: Industrial Analyses and Giant Opportunities After the First Year of VR

Dr. Pan Junjun
Associate Professor of School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University
Topic Sector: Virtual Operation and its Application in Medicine

Mr. Ma Liming
Vice President of Magical World
Speech Topic: VR Industry Chain

Mr. Julien BENCE
Chief Business Development Officer of XXII Group

Miss Xu Xiao
Vice President of 7Invensun
Speech Topic: The Important Technology In VR: Eye Tracking

Mr. Su Bo
CEO of Oglass
Speech Topic: Application in AR Industry-To Define 4.0 with AR Intelligent Glasses

Mr. Yuan Xin
VP of Shanghai GDI Intelligent technology Co.,Ltd
Speech Topic: Analysis of VR Entertainment

Mr.Salar SHAHNA
Co-Founder & CEO of World VR Forum (Switzerland)

Mr. Zhuang Jishun
COO of LETIN VR
Speech Topic: Road of Optimizing VR Video

Mr. Xu Chenxiang
Co-founder & CEO of iMatchic
Speech Topic: Application of Image on VR

Mr. Zhou Yuanlong
Co-founder of Bean VR
The Brand New VR / MR Interactive Technology to Create Sharing MR Social Experience

Mr. Song Jiawei
Deputy Director of Sales in 3 Glasses
Speech Topic: Welcome the Era of VR Entertainment — Multiple Interactive VR experience

Mr. Shi Wei’an
CEO of FLY VR
Speech Topic: The Combination between VR AND Tourism

Mr. Liu Fengrui
Vice President of Nanjing Nibiru
Speech Topic: Nibiru to Specified VR Industry and Promote Instrumental VR Application Development

Mr. Wang Xingchan
Chairman of the board of Online Financing (Beijing) Stock Investment Service Co., Ltd.

Mr. Liang Yingtao
President of NINED
Speech Topic: Where Is the Opportunities of VR in 2017?

Mr. Dong Dengyue
CEO of Beijing Shenlinqijing Culture Inc
Speech Topic: Shenlinqijing VR Theme Park

Mr. He Jin
General Manager of Treno
Speech Topic: Developed Trend of VR Entertainment Marketing

Mr. Zhang Yi
Director of VR Business Marketing of Chongqing Bajie CangJingGe Network Co.,Ltd
Speech Topic: VR & AR Innovation on the basis of Platform VR Amusement Sector (e-Sports): The Leading Game

Mr. Li Jinlong
CEO of Battle Times

Mr. He Wenyi
CEO of Leke VR

Mr. Xu Jia
Vice President of Newcome VR

Theme: The Combination and Development of VR Interactive Amusement Sector

Featured Part for VR Content
Host: Miss Wan Zhen – Editor of VRAge
With
Mr. Ma Cong – CEO of Beijing HuanZhi Interactive Network Technology
Mr. Ran Zichen – Vice President of HashVR Studio
Mr. Chen Mingxin – COO of Shortfuse Game Studio
Mr. Liang Baohui – Owner of Shantou Age VR Experience

VR Park Operation
Host: Miss Wan Zhen – Editor of VRAge
With
Mr. Wang Lei – CEO of Super Captain
Mr. Dong Dengyue – CEO of Beijing Shenlinqijing Culture Inc
Mr. Wang Baoliang – CEO of Longcheng Electronic Co.,Ltd
Mr. Zhu Weiming – CEO of Guangzhou Movie Power Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd

Themed Forum on VR & AR Education

Guest Introduction and Event Introduction
Mr. Zhang Mingjun of ARinChina

Mr. Xu Qiang – CEO of HEIVR
Speech Topic: VR Education Appication

Professor Zhou Mingquan – Head of VR Application Engineering Research Center of Beijing Normal University
Speech Topic: VR Education on Academic Level

Miss Li Jing – CEO of COOCAA
Speech Topic: VR System Solution

Mr. Sun Xiaozhe – CTO of Magical World
Speech Topic: Development Trend and Application Value of VR Education

Mr. Wu Yisong – CEO of ChocEnglish
Speech Topic: Specific Aspects of VR Education

Mr. Mo Zhaoyu – General Manager of WoSai
Speech Topic: Future Trend of AR Interactive Education

Mr. Liu Bin – Co-founder of Xiamen Rant Technology

Roundtable Forum
Host: Mr. Zhang Mingjun of ARinChina
With:
Mr. Xu Qiang – CEO of HEIVR
Miss Li Jing – CEO of COOCAA
Professor Zhou Mingquan – Head of VR Application Engineering Research Center of Beijing Normal University
16: 00-16：20 Launch Ceremony of HEIVR ‘Super Plan’

MARCH 9TH

Start-up and Investment of VR & AR

Content Roadshow
Host: Qi Bing
With:
Miss Mo Danting – CEO of EdSenses
Mr. Huang Jianwei – CEO of Makediguo
Lisa – Chinese Representer of Iran NAB Company

Content /Purchase Roadshow
David. Zhang – Founder of Atomic District Co., Ltd.
Mr.Miguel Martin – Investor of AllIanzing International
Miss Zhou Zhenmei – Secretary of Chairmen of the Board Guangzhou Xili Electric Science Co., Ltd.

Award Ceremony of Top 100 Brand Enterprises of Asia VR & AR

Content Roadshow
Hoster: Jiang Haihan
Mr. Chen Hao – Brand Manager of TianShe Media Co.,Ltd
Mr. Lin Renyi – Deputy General Manager of Bingo Culture Media Co.,Ltd
Mr. Huo Weifeng – Vice President Of GUJU VR

Content Roadshow
Host: Jiang Haihan
Mr. Chen Minjie – Deputy General Manager of Huaru Technology
Mr. Guo Zhihua – Kuyou Electronic Entertainment Co.,Ltd
Mr. Pang Youhuan – General Manager of XTIDEA Guangzhou

Content Roadshow
Host: Jiang Haihan
Mr. Wu Hao – CEO of Choice VR
Mr. Feng Bao – Investment and Financing Director of Switch Box
Miss Li Chenjun – Business Head of Multiverse

Content Roadshow
Hoster: Jiang Haihan
Mr. Liu Bin – Co-founder of Xiamen Rant Technology
Mr. Sun Yang – Director of Marketing Planning Department of Brahmr
Mr. Yang Yunhui – CEO of Dream VR

Content Roadshow
Host: Jiang Haihan
Mr. Wang Zhen – CEO of WildStrawberry Pictures
Mr. Liu Jin – CEO of Jaws Digital Technique Co.,Ltd
Mr. Yuan Yutao – Director of Operations of Yumo VR

February 21, 2017

The Virtual Arena: Jackpot! VR Slot Machines

In his latest column for VRFocus leading exponent of the out-of-home entertainment sector, Kevin Williams, reports back from Europe’s largest gambling, online gaming and casino convention. Exclusively revealing the impact that virtual reality (VR) is having on is industry that has a serious interest in the re-emergence of this technology.

We had only just visited the London’s ExCel convention center for our report on the massive education show (BETT), but jump forward a few weeks and we find ourselves back at ExCel. Rather than one hall of the vast convention center, instead we see nearly all the North and South halls of the exhibition facility turned over to the 23rd International Casino Expo (ICE) Total Gaming expo.

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For those not familiar with the gaming industry, it covers a vast number of different elements, and seeing incredible year-on-year profitability. The ICE event includes exhibitors interested in “bricks and mortar” gaming facilities, like casinos, licensed-betting offices and adult gaming arcades (land-based) – while the rest of the massive exhibition covers online betting, gaming and gambling (iGaming), sports betting, gaming machines and the services that support all of them.

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The need by the gaming facility business to attract younger visitors has seen great investment in skill-based gaming (defined as ‘Skill Gaming’); while at the same time the great profits coming from online gaming services is looking to be secured with the use of new technology – both elements looking at VR as a possible opportunity.

Compared to the major interest that VR engender back in 2016, this year’s show seemed to offer a glimpse of the reality of the love affair with the hyperbole of what VR could offer, and wake-up to the reality of what can be achieved with the available hardware. It was obvious that ICE represented a show of two halves – an analogy any good sports enthusiast would recognize.

One side of the application of VR into the gaming scene we see its use as a promotional and marketing tool. One of those exhibitors that dedicated an area of their big booth to a VR component was BetConstruct, provider of online and land-based gaming solutions. The company had a “Virtual Reality Gaming” area offering two Oculus Rift (CV1) with both TOUCH and game pad enabled demonstrations. The demo offering the ability to navigate round a virtual casino.

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Another company looking at promoting a VR casino experience approach was Innovecs Gaming a company known for working with leading Intellectual Properties for application in gaming, came to the London show with a HTC Vive demonstrating their interpretation of how VR could be used as a compelling gaming experience. The company’s Vice President observing that while current consumer VR hardware is not suitable for land-based application, there were opportunities for online gaming experience supporting the mobile VR installed base.

Another company that favored the HTC Vive VR platform for demonstration was International Game Technology (IGT), the influential gaming machine manufactures vast booth had a dedicated enclosure with two HTC Vive, running the game Siege VR. Attendees to the show booked for their chance to experience the castle battlements bow and arrows siege defense game, a packed booth indicating interest in the demo.

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Speaking with a IGT representative confirmed the game was being used as a presentation of their intentions towards creating skill-based gaming experiences that are totally immersive, testing the water regarding the trade interest.

Siege VR was originated by Sixense to demo their then STEM VR in 2014. This ICE demonstration had been commissioned exclusively by IGT, now running on HTC Vive’s rather than converted Oculus headsets. There are no plans for this to be released as a full game however, used wholly as a promotional tool, (there is also no news of the situation with Sixense after recent announcements of further delays).

VR offered a unique tool to present a message to visitors to the myriad big presentation; exhibitor Evolution Gaming, came to ICE with a portion of their booth turned over to several Samsung Gear VR used as a promotional tool offering a 360° visualization of the company’s studios and a behind the scenes view of their land-based live dealer games and interactive online casino experiences.

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Several ICE exhibition exhibitors just placed VR promotions on their booth to draw attention; Processing.com (a payment solutions specialist) had F1 racing action competitions, using CV1’s in a fast pace racing simulator promotion.

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The financial muscle of the international gaming industry has shown a strong VR interest; exhibitors from this territory included Digital Graphix Hub Technologies (based in the Philippines had many examples of their mobile VR setup running demonstrations of their envisaged online VR games.

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International exhibitor Global Bet presented their Virtual Sports platform, offering the opportunity for punters to experience their Virtual Sports events with a 360° presentation placing the guest in the heart of the action. Sadly, the CV1 seated presentation of their platform at ICE was not working.

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A surprise appearance on the vast Novomatic electronic gaming machine giants’ booth was the inclusion of a Sony PSVR experience –a themed area on the booth branded Barcade, visitors trying their skills on old school arcade games recreated in VR, run as a competitive promotion on their booth.

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Another surprise appearance at ICE was on the NSoft booth, known for software solutions for the gaming and betting sector (such as Sportsbooks), the company demonstrated the concept of using Augmented Reality (AR) to facilitate gaming with a Microsoft Hololens deployed into action representing virtual stats in the real-world.

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Beyond the use of VR as a demonstration / promotional tool of aspirations; on the other half of VR’s application, it was harder to find actual business initiatives towards building a revenue stream, and opening the door on the proposed opportunity that VR represents for the casino sector. Of those showing actual products.

The World’s largest online casino operator NetEnt followed on from their mobile VR Jack and the Beanstalk cartoon slot proof of concept in 2016, to launch at this year’s ICE the “first real-money virtual reality slot game”, to be delivered through their existing NetEnt Casino Module. The new game called Gonzo’s Quest VR has the player in a vibrant virtual environment and fun characters while playing virtual slots. On the booth players used the Samsung Gear VR to play the virtual slots, but the game is agnostic of mobile VR platform. The developers at NetEnt believe that VR has a given place in the future of online gaming, and feel that WebVR technology will mature enough to offer basic support for VR game-play by 2018.

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At ICE 2017 exhibitor JoinGames Malta, and VR partners Parallel66 created a VR themed area on their stand for the global reveal their first VR iGame: Kleopatra VR. They feel the game is the first fully interactive slot game experience for mobile VR. The team behind the product will launch the game as a VR app for smartphones in Q2 2017, allowing players to combine any VR Head Mounted Display (HMD) with their existing smartphone to enter a mystical Egypt-themed playing environment to move around, explore and play a unique 3D slot-game for real money.

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Considering the level of interest generated from last year’s ICE event towards VR, this year saw a greater penetration of VR hardware examples, but a need to find a “hook” to hang their efforts upon. As one well respected VR developer in the iGaming scene commented during the show. For demonstrations, they were happy to use CV1’s and Samsung Gear VR’s, but to generate a revenue, the reality was that until something like a universal WebVR platform is established (through solutions possibly like Googles Daydream) then there was still a vacuum regarding generating revenue while supplying a deliverable to the paying audience.

We wait to see if NetEnt, and the industry in general, will be the first to find that magical solution to profitability in VR.