Last Tuesday, I attended the Imisi3D VR Showcase at CcHub. It was the first time I’d ever experienced Virtual Reality, so it made a rather strong impression on me. The experience led to a long stream of thoughts about VR tech that culminated in this article.
Simon says you should read it and come share your thoughts on here. First, about the post, but also about VR as a storytelling format and how Africa can take advantage of its nascency. Got a minute?
My argument is/was based on the fact that it’s not the first time everyone’s lost their minds over relatively nascent tech that’s ended up as little more than gum on the tech industry’s figurative shoes. 3D TVs anyone? How about Google Glass? Amazon Fire phone? Holograms nko?
Something tells me you’ll be writing another article like this one after you experience Microsoft Hololens. Also, why is the Amazon Fire phone on that list?
The first time I truly experienced VR - truly because those Google Cardboard demos don’t count for shit - was at Six Flags. You could say it was VR and AR in one package. Basically, a roller coaster ride while wearing Gear VRs that works to combine the loops and drops of an actual ride with an immersive experience of flying a virtual fighter jet through the city and shooting down hostiles.
Perhaps your questions are due to the fact that you are looking at VR as new way of delivering movies, rather than considering the more natural possibilities.
Here’s a link to the ride’s description - https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/attractions/vr/experience
International exposure …eyyy
I saw hype about the phone before it was released. “5 cameras!” etc. As soon as it hit the market, nobody said pim. FUCK. Six Flags. adds to bucket list
And yeah, I’m looking at it through my (narrow) lens, so the work I’ve done in film must have influenced the way I thought (and eventually, wrote) about it. For emphasis: SIX FLAGS.
While I’m yet to experience VR, and with the ‘wow experience’ being described here by those who have experienced it, I wonder what the radical AR technology being built by this company, Magic Leap, will evoke in its first experience, when it is ready for consumption. This is a piece from a Wired writer who was granted access to some inside stuffs going on in the company
So I found this; The F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize. And it brought me back here.
This year’s challenges will focus on how virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) technologies could be used to make the sport more immersive for fans, and help the teams work more effectively together in the run-up to and during each Grand Prix.
The first challenge, set by Formula One Management, calls on technology enthusiasts to develop a solution that uses VR and AR to enable fans at home to experience a Grand Prix virtually. The solution should allow fans who are not at the live event to immerse themselves into the exhilarating world of F1 racing - from the pit lane and the Formula One Paddock Club, to the drivers’ parade and the starting grid formation.
John Morrison, Chief Technical Officer of Formula One Management and one of the judges, says, “We want to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to experience first-hand the thrill of a Grand Prix - and VR or AR could enable us to do just that. These technologies represent the next big innovation opportunity for the sport. In the not-too-distant future, they could enable fans to get virtually transported to a Grand Prix, complementing and enriching the race experience.”
More here.
IMO,like most other technology, this VR/AR thigamajig is going to pass Africa by. We’ve had attempts by some people over here to make something of it but apparently the startup costs to make something reasonable are crazy.
@SkweiRd I’ve not tried VR but I read your post. And I must say it was easily one of the best things I’ve read in a while. I don’t know where you got your talents or skills from, but if they’re taking applications - pls DM details to me!
Super excited about Magic Leap too, and if you would like to try out VR and are in Lagos the Imisi 3D creation lab will be back in August.
Agree, the startup costs are pretty crazy and this would naturally exclude too many. That’s one of the reasons why the Imisi 3D creation lab is being set up. Access to the high end equipment required and support will allow us to participate in this story and not just watch it pass by.
Haha @SkweiRd, saw your blurb in the digest this morning! 
Guess you’re now a celeb. I had been wondering what was going on, with the sudden proliferation of (irrelevant, impersonal) VR articles everywhere. (Techpoint’s was the worst.)
PS. You missed this one.
@Diakon LMAO. The entire thing is hilarious to watch. Funny enough, I didn’t miss the Mobility Arena piece. I linked to it, but it didn’t autosave. Etisalat, smh.