Three steps to the ultimate in escapism: virtual-reality worlds you never need to leave
Pioneers tell Tribeca Film Festival how they see VR evolving, from immersion in virtual worlds to interacting avatars to users creating escapist worlds. Online game Second Life takes us a step closer
“It’s fascinating to see virtual reality finally arrive,” says Philip Rosedale, founder of online virtual world Second Life, during a recent presentation introducing his company Hi Fidelity at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
“VR is now as disruptive as the internet was in 1994. We are all about to be profoundly affected by what is happening in VR, although we don’t understand exactly what its impact will be. It’s going to affect our development as a species, as it will be more impactful than any other previous technology,” says Rosedale.
It was a provocative speech that characterised events at The Hub, a varied, 10-day programme of new-technology debates and virtual reality showcases at the Tribeca festival, which took place from April 13 to 24.
The film festival, which was co-founded by Robert De Niro in 2002 to help regenerate Tribeca, an area devastated by the September 11 attacks, says its move into tech reflects how filmmakers are using new technologies such as virtual reality (VR), and platforms such as the internet, to show their work.
Games and filmmaking were discussed, but the event was dominated by VR, which after about 10 years of gestation, seems primed to be the next big media platform.
More than 25 virtual reality exhibits, which consisted of 360-degree VR cinema shows and partially interactive VR experiences, were on show to the public.
