VRLA – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

February 2, 2019

No VRLA Conference Planned For 2019

A large-scale Los Angeles VR conference is “on hiatus” in 2019, according to a co-organizer.

VRLA grew from a meetup in 2014 to a multi-day conference in 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Around 10,000 people attended the last event on May 4 and 5, 2018, according to co-organizer John Root.

“VR is in a weird place right now, and we’re taking a break while it sorts itself out,” Root said.

He said there’s still a possibility of VRLA events in the future but there are no plans right now.

Layout of the VRLA show floor from 2018 hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

With VRLA out of the picture in 2019 that likely makes computer graphics conference SIGGRAPH at the end of July the best chance to get a peek at the future of VR and AR technology in the Los Angeles area.

New games or platform announcements are also likely in connection with E3 in June.

One of the booths from VRLA 2017 showcasing the interactive “Puffer Fish” 360 display.

A wide collection of AR and VR companies appeared at VRLA over the years, and its absence in 2019 is a notable one. There is still a full schedule of events in 2019 which are likely to preview future immersive technologies and software.

Platform-centric developer conferences Google IO, F8 and WWDC will undoubtedly preview upgraded immersive technologies in Silicon Valley. In addition, Display Week and the Game Developers Conference will be major showcases for new VR technology and games in California. There is also a full film festival circuit where future VR and AR ideas are explored as well as other international conferences.

Tagged with: los angeles, VR Los Angeles, vrla

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November 6, 2018

AR Horror Attraction Comes to UK

By now it is fairly well established that horror tends to work extremely well with virtual reality (VR). Indeed, there have been a number of VR experiences, videogames and location-based attractions that take advantage of this. So far the use of horror with augmented reality (AR) has not been thoroughly explored, something which Red Frog Digital are trying to change with Zombie HoloMaze.

AR content developer Red Frog Digital have devised an AR horror attraction that involves visitors donning an AR headset in order to battle against, and ultimately attempt to escape from, a zombie horde.

The AR experience has been devised as a mix between horror scare maze and escape room. Visitors wear an AR headset that not only comes with Ar glasses, but also a head-mounted weapon. Players are given a time limit, in which they need to explore the maze and find a secret antidote. Failure to find the antidote means they are doomed to become one of the zombies they are trying to escape.

Obstacles in the way include hidden trap doors, zombie dogs, blockades and a variety of undead creatures. The attraction had its initial debut at the PrimEvil scare attraction event, which took place in Norwich, UK.

“With augmented reality at the forefront of technology, we thought it be amazing to add an extra layer to human actors from traditional scare mazes with incredibly detailed 3D holograms,” James Loveridge, commercial director at Red Frog Digital, explained. “Our HoloMaze effectively transports guests inside of a video game, blurring the lines between real and virtual terror.”

Red Frog say the concept was developed after it had some initial success at VRLA, an event which is described as one of the biggest immersive technology events in the world. The company says the small footprint of the attraction means it is suitable for a large number of locations.

For future coverage of new and upcoming AR content, keep checking back with VRFocus.

May 4, 2018

VRLA This Weekend Showcases The Latest In Immersive Entertainment

One of the industry’s largest VR-focused conferences is back today and tomorrow.

Over the last few years VRLA grew from a small meetup showcasing individual creators and startups to a large multi-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Its main attraction is a show floor which opens at noon both Friday and Saturday featuring booths from a long list of exhibitors including Microsoft and Intel, as well as an enormous installation from Exit Reality and Neurogaming (the featured image is a concept rendering of their booth).

On site, Saturday-only tickets should be around $50 while two-day tickets are more than $300. Saturday is likely to have longer lines and those can get extremely lengthy for the more interesting VR/AR experiences. Organizers appear to have pulled together a nice collection of exhibitors offering a good look at what is possible with VR in 2018 both at home and at arcades.

What To Look For At VRLA

As of this writing, Beat Saber is the most highly rated game on Steam and Microsoft is expected to show the game paired with VR headsets at its booth. So attendees maybe be able to try one of VR’s newest and most enjoyable games on some of the easiest-to-setup VR hardware on the market.

With Neurogaming, attendees could get a glimpse at what’s possible at high-end VR arcades and attractions. I’ve tried both Neurogaming’s World of Tanks multiplayer game and the high-end fully wireless free-roaming system. Based on that experience, if you are heading to VRLA I’d recommend trying for this one early as I suspect it’ll be in high demand. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, there’s a scanning truck with 200 cameras inside as well as a pair of AR projects — a zombie maze and an episodic comedy. There’s also what sounds like an eye-catching installation called MEZO (pictured above) described as: “an alternative future where Mesoamerican societies have thrived and become technologically advanced. A 20-foot futuristic temple will tower over the VRLA show floor, fully equipped with LED panels, lasers, spatial music and an AR experience that transports attendees to a cyborg Amazon forest. In tandem, live performers will interpret Mesoamerican-styled dance around the temple, resulting in a visually and sonically stunning journey through destruction, creation and rebirth.”

Friday at VRLA is geared toward professionals. It starts at 10 am with remarks by organizer Jonnie Ross and presentations from The VOID, Qualcomm, Microsoft and others followed by a full schedule of panels.

Tagged with: vrla

April 30, 2018

Tower Tag feiert Premiere auf der VRLA 2018 (In eigener Sache)

Im Jahr 2013 startete die Reise der VR-Nerds mit einem kleinen Blog zum Thema Virtual Reality und Augmented Reality. Das Ziel war es nicht, eine Redaktion im Zuge des Hypes aufzubauen. Wir wollten die Sache aus einer anderen Perspektive angehen, nämlich aus der der echten Bastler, Enthusiasten und VR-Entwickler. Im Laufe der Jahre konnten wir nicht nur zahlreiche Leser gewinnen, sondern auch unser Team durch diverse Entwicklungsaufträge vergrößern und uns einen Traum erfüllen: ein eigenes Virtual Reality Spiel zu entwickeln, das man sogar als Erfinder am Ende noch spielen mag. Kein Funding, keiner redet rein – ein reines VR-Nerds-Produkt. Nun ist es Zeit Tower Tag ins Rampenlicht zu lassen, denn das Spiel, das exklusiv VR-Arcades vorbehalten ist, möchte auf der VRLA zeigen, was er VR-Arcade-Betreibern und den Spielern zu bieten hat.

Tower Tag feiert Premiere auf der VRLA 2018

Während der VRLA in Los Angeles werden Besucher die Möglichkeit haben, das Arcade-VR-Game Tower Tag in der neusten Version 2018.1 auszuprobieren. Damit verlässt Tower Tag die Beta-Phase und neben der deutlich verbesserten Version ist nun auch eine Spectator View und ein Online Tournament Management Teil der Software. Somit sollte den Zuschauern beim Warten nicht langweilig werden und wir kommen unserem Ziel ein echtes V-Sport-Spiel zu veröffentlichen ein wenig näher. Tower Tag ist schon heute in über 10 Ländern weltweit spielbar und als Partner für Teile des APEC-Raums konnten wir SEGA gewinnen.

Die VRLA findet am 4. und 5. Mai in Los Angeles statt und ist eines der wichtigsten Events für die Themen Virtual Reality und Augmented Reality. Selbstverständlich werden wir vor Ort nicht nur unser Spiel ausstellen, sondern uns auch alle neuen Entwicklungen anschauen und für euch ausprobieren. Falls euch bestimmte Aussteller, Spiele oder Erfindungen besonders interessieren, könnt ihr uns gerne einen Kommentar hinterlassen und wir versuchen, es uns vor Ort anzuschauen.

Der Beitrag Tower Tag feiert Premiere auf der VRLA 2018 (In eigener Sache) zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

April 27, 2018

VRLA’s John Root on AR, Privacy, & eSports in VR

John Root co-founded VRLA with Cosmo Scharf in 2014, and it has organically grown into a thriving VR event with over 10,000 attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center. VRLA is a non-profit where funding from sponsors helps to support about half of their exhibitors within the event’s Indie Zone, which helps them feature a lot of innovative independent VR experiments and start-ups. VRLA is happening this year on May 4th and 5th. I had a chance to walk the showroom floor of VRLA 2017 with Root where he took me on a guided tour through the history of VRLA, his thoughts on AR, using VR for film production, the future of privacy in AR/VR, as well as why he is interested in seeing where eSports in VR is headed.

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Here’s the full press release for VRLA 2018 (Road to VR readers can save 15% on passes, details here):

Announcing VRLA 2018 Keynotes & Expo Highlights

The Biggest Immersive Tech Event of the Year Returns May 4-5, Exploring “A New Reality.”

Los Angeles, CA (April 12, 2018) – Experience next generation immersive technologies and explore “A New Reality” at VRLA, the leading virtual and augmented reality expo, May 4-5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Industry-leading companies sponsoring this year’s expo include Intel, Dell, Qualcomm, VIVEPORT, Microsoft, Neurogaming and OptiTrack, as well as a full lineup of innovative companies shaping the future of immersive tech. Passes are available now and start at just $30, and for the first time ever attendees can register in VR via the official Payscout VRLA Registration 2018 app.

Saturday’s keynote will feature a live performance by Light Balance, the captivating dance group from “America’s Got Talent.” Equipped with custom-designed suits that integrate a complex light system with unique wireless controllers, Light Balance blends expert synchronization of music, neon lighting and choreography with breathtaking performances. The Saturday keynote lineup also includes:

Walt Disney Imagineering SVP Jon Snoddy

A world premiere from Skydance, with Chris Hewish, EVP Games & Interactive and Pablo Leon-Luna, VR Developer

Special announcements from Intel, with Kumar Kaushik, GM, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality

YouTube star Vsauce3 (aka Jake Roper)

A special announcement from Ricoh

VR/AR expert and futurist Charlie Fink

VR and AR professionals who purchase the 2-day industry-focused Pro Pass will gain access to Friday’s keynote in the Dell Theater, featuring a mesmerizing performance by Digital Deception, aka Doug McKenzie and Ryan Oakes – an illusionary duo that combines interactive magic with technology for an unforgettable live spectacle. Friday keynote speakers include:

Cliff Plumer, CEO, The VOID

Rikard Steiber, President Viveport and SVP of Virtual Reality, HTC Vive

Gary Radburn, Director, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Dell

Hugo Swart, Senior Director of XR Product Management, Qualcomm

Katie Kelly, Head of Engagement, AltspaceVR / Microsoft

In addition to Friday’s keynotes, attendees who purchase the Pro Pass will benefit from access to the full expo, shorter demo lines and an exclusive lineup of professional and developer programming – including “VR Valuation: What Drives ROI,” “Artificial Minds in Artificial Spaces,” “Can VR Be Decentralized Using Blockchain?” and “Discovering New Worlds: Using VR/AR/MR for Space Exploration,” a session with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Saturday sessions feature industry experts from companies including Facebook, Glitched, VIVEPORT, The Third Floor, Vulcan, Kilograph, Framestore, VIBEHub, Walt Disney Animation, TheWaveVR, Chaos Group, Light Sail VR, Sunnyboy Entertainment, OTOY and more.

From location-based entertainment, motion simulators and VR arcades, to next-gen haptics, 360-degree cameras and the hottest product launches across virtual and augmented reality, this year’s expo will feature something for everyone to explore.

In collaboration with LACMA, the breathtaking centerpiece of this year’s show floor will be Mezo, a 20-foot tall futuristic temple equipped with synchronized LED panels, lasers and spatial music. The interactive art installation will evoke an alternate future where ancient Mesoamerican societies have become technologically advanced, taking attendees on a visually and sonically stunning journey through destruction, creation and rebirth.

For horror fanatics, Red Frog Digital’s Zombie Holomaze will offer a terrifying AR experience for attendees to explore while wearing a Microsoft HoloLens. Mega Particle will debut its cross-platform Virtual Poker Table, with live play culminating in a tournament with award-winning poker champion Phil Hellmuth. For zen and psychedelic experiences, attendees won’t want to miss the Visual Reality Zone, featuring mind-bending immersive digital art installations. Additional expo highlights include Xtrematic’s extreme sports simulator, bHaptics’ full-body haptic suit, Bioflight’s VR medical training simulations and Phasespace’s large-scale motion capture system.

For industry professionals, students and attendees looking to cultivate their skills in VR and AR development, Circuit Stream – the official workshop partner of VRLA 2018 – will offer a variety of cutting-edge educational sessions designed to teach Unity development for platforms like Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, ARKit, ARCore and Microsoft HoloLens. Attendees can sign up for Circuit Stream’s workshops when they register for VRLA. The “Girls Make VR” workshop is also returning to this year’s expo, offering teenage girls 13-18 the opportunity to learn and create with the latest technology behind today’s most popular VR experiences.

For more information on VRLA 2018 and to purchase passes, visit: http://virtualrealityla.com/

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April 24, 2018

VRLA 2018 Returns to Los Angeles May 4th & 5th – Save 15%

VRLA 2018 returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center May 4-5, featuring hundreds of immersive tech demos, educational session, presentations and groundbreaking product launches from the most innovative technology companies shaping our world today.

From immersive full-room installations, motion simulators and VR arcades, to next-gen haptics, 360-cameras and the hottest product launches across VR/AR/XR, this year’s expo will feature the next generation of transformative technologies and something for everyone to explore. Exhibitors, speakers & sponsors for this year’s event include Intel, Qualcomm, Dell, VIVEPORT, Technicolor, Secret Location, Phasespace, Prosper VR, Beyond ONE, Walt Disney Animation, The Third Floor, Framestore, The Mill, Chaos Group and more!

VRLA 2018

“Excitement for VR and AR has never been solely about immersive headsets. It’s rooted in a deeper desire to better understand ourselves and reality itself, aligned with a new generation of technologies capable of raising the collective consciousness,” said Cosmo Scharf, Co-founder of VRLA. “With this year’s theme, ‘A New Reality,’ we’re expanding the expo’s scope beyond VR and AR to explore new ways emergent technology improves our lives in and out of the headset. New verticals include AI, internet of things, robotics, blockchain, 3D printing, alternative energy, cryptocurrency, biotech, and more.”

Additionally, attendees can look forward to next-gen haptics, VR arcades, 360-cameras, motion simulators, 3D scanners, and the latest in CG and VFX technology across the show floor.

“We’re thrilled to offer attendees even more ways to taste the future and open a conversation about how technology can help us manifest the reality we deserve,” said Scharf.

After nearly four years, VRLA has grown exponentially from a 100-person meetup group in 2014 to one of the year’s most important AR and VR gatherings. One of our favorite moments from VRLA 2017 last year was Justin Roiland’s keynote, featuring his signature offbeat humor as applied to VR.

Road to VR readers can save 15% on passes to VRLA 2018 using code Road_VRLA at registration.

Road to VR is a proud media sponsor of VRLA 2018.

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April 4, 2018

VRLA Co-Founder Cosmo Scharf on the Future of XR and the Impact of Blockchain

VRLA has become a regular fixture in the virtual reality (VR) industry events calendar, and now entering its 4th year the event organisers are looking to embrace more emerging immersion technologies. VRFocus addressed co-founder Cosmo Scharf for the latest details on what attendees can expect at VRLA next month.

VRLA 2018

VRLA 2018, taking place 4th – 5th May 2018, Los Angeles Convention Center, will play host to some familiar VR faces, including The Third Floor, Opaque Studios and 3D Live. However, this year will see the addition of augmented reality (AR) producers to the line-up, as well as discussions surrounding the emerging blockchain technology and it’s impact on the AR and VR industries.

Scharf offers some details on these developments at VRLA and his opinion of the new technologies in the Q&A session below, and tickets for VRLA are now available. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on the event.

VRFocus: Why have you decided to expand the focus of VRLA after three years of the expo?

Cosmo Scharf [CS]: Every year, we challenge ourselves to make VRLA bigger and better than the previous show. For 2018, we’re doubling down on our commitment to make technology from the future accessible to the average person.

Our excitement for VR and AR has never been solely about immersive headsets. We’re driven by a deeper desire to better understand ourselves and reality itself, so we’re expanding the kinds of exhibitors we bring to VRLA.

VRFocus: How does the theme “A New Reality” reflect the changing focus of VR/AR/XR?

CS: Immersive and transformative technologies are reshaping our notion of identity and our sense of responsibility to the myriad set of challenges we face as a species. VR/AR/XR are technologies capable of raising the collective consciousness because they help us experience reality beyond limitations and instill in us a desire for the physical world to be
just as malleable as the virtual one. They inspire us to create a positive new reality for our planet.

VRFocus: How has the XR event landscape changed since VRLA began?

CS: XR was not really a thing when VRLA began, so we’re happy to see new verticals emerge that offer consumers immersive experiences. XR today feels a bit like where VR was when VRLA first started – extremely promising, but lacking a release from a major consumer brand.

That said, ARKit and ARCore are doing tremendous work to bring high quality AR to millions of devices, while the Magic Leap glasses look very promising!

VRFocus: What are some of the most exciting developments you’ve seen in VR/AR/XR in the last year?

CS:We’re thrilled to see desktop VR start to merge with mobile VR, with headsets like the Oculus Santa Cruz and the Lenovo Mirage. The convergence of 6DoF head and hand tracking from desktop VR with the portability and price point of mobile VR are critical for the longterm success of the industry.

VRFocus: What role do you see cryptocurrency and blockchain playing potentially in an XR future?

CS: Cryptocurrency and blockchain are critical technologies for the evolution of our consciousness because they have the potential to help decentralize control and make the world more of a level playing field. When it comes to XR, crypto could become a major asset to devs as they start to monetise virtual worlds. We’re already seeing major players like High Fidelity and Otoy work with these technologies, and I expect many more to jump in.

January 31, 2018

VRLA 2018 Tickets On Sale For May 4 and 5

Tickets are now on sale to one of the largest conferences in the world focused on virtual reality, VRLA.

The event will be held May 4 and 5, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. As of this writing there’s an early bird offer that lowers the price to $20 for a pass to Saturday, May 5 only. There’s also an early bird two-day pass for $249 geared toward professionals, adding access for Friday, May 4. There’s also a one-day student pass starting at $15. Prices go up significantly starting Feb. 10.

While VRLA draws visitors and exhibitors from around the world, its location in the heart of Los Angeles draws a lot of professionals and enthusiasts from both Southern California and Silicon Valley. With a number of VR arcades expanding or opening in 2018 and lower prices being achieved by headset manufacturers, it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts the type of exhibitors and turnout at VRLA.

“With this year’s theme, ‘A New Reality,’ we’re expanding the expo’s scope beyond VR and AR to explore new ways emergent technology improves our lives in and out of the headset,” Cosmo Scharf, Co-Founder of VRLA, said in a prepared statement. “New verticals include AI, internet of things, robotics, blockchain, 3D printing, alternative energy, cryptocurrency, biotech, and more.”

Tagged with: vrla

January 31, 2018

VRLA 2018 Passes Go on Sale

For fans of virtual reality (VR) technology there are plenty of ways to get your hands on the latest tech. One of the best ways tends to be at events and if you happen to reside in California – or don’t mind travelling there – then one of the biggest dedicated shows is Virtual Reality Los Angeles (VRLA). Announcing that it would return in May 2018 back in September, the VRLA has now made passes available to buy.

Passes for the two day event start from $30 USD for students, giving access to the event on the Saturday, or $40 for standard visitors on the same day. The two-day pro pass is a little more expensive, setting you back $299. It does however give you an extra day to wander the show floor, making it less of a rush; access to professional and developer focused programmes and sessions. Plus, demo lines will be shorter which is always a bonus.

This year’s expo is set to feature hundreds of tech demos, educational sessions, presentations, and groundbreaking product launches from some of the most innovative technology companies. Currently, the VRLA has yet to reveal the lineup of exhibitors but there’s still several months to go.

“Excitement for VR and AR has never been solely about immersive headsets. It’s rooted in a deeper desire to better understand ourselves and reality itself, aligned with a new generation of technologies capable of raising the collective consciousness,” said Cosmo Scharf, Co-Founder of VRLA in a statement. “With this year’s theme, ‘A New Reality,’ we’re expanding the expo’s scope beyond VR and AR to explore new ways emergent technology improves our lives in and out of the headset. New verticals include AI, internet of things, robotics, blockchain, 3D printing, alternative energy, cryptocurrency, biotech, and more.”

VRLA image 1

“We’re thrilled to offer attendees even more ways to taste the future and open a conversation about how technology can help us manifest the reality we deserve,” adds Scharf.

After nearly four years, VRLA has grown from a 100-person meetup group in 2014 into a two-day expo attracting 12,000 plus tech fans from around the world. As further details about the event are rel;eased, VRFocus will keep you updated.

June 20, 2017

‘Rose Colored’ is an Impactful Sci-Fi Morality Tale in the Vein of ‘Black Mirror’

My favorite narrative VR piece that I’ve seen so far this year is Rose Colored by Adam Cosco that premiered at VRLA. It’s a science fiction morality tale that is asking us to look at a potential future of immersive technology. I’m cautious to say much more without spoiling his experience, and so I’d highly recommend checking out Rose Colored either on Vimeo, Facebook, or Samsung VR before listening to this interview.

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VR Scout recently named Cosco as “one of VR’s Early Auteurs,” and I definitely have to agree. He has a distinct style with a lot to say about the impact of technology on our humanity.

Rose Colored is his fourth VR narrative piece, and the first one written specifically for VR. There’s a lot of profound ideas explored in the piece that really stuck with me afterwards, and I had a chance to dive in and unpack it with Cosco at VRLA in April. We do cover many spoilers in this discussion and so I recommend checking it out first in order to have the full experience.

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