{"id":9117,"date":"2020-06-18T10:08:57","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T08:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/une-nouvelle-ere-pour-les-evenements-et-mondes-virtuels\/"},"modified":"2020-07-01T11:39:02","modified_gmt":"2020-07-01T09:39:02","slug":"a-new-era-for-virtual-worlds-and-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/en\/a-new-era-for-virtual-worlds-and-events\/","title":{"rendered":"“A new era for virtual worlds and events”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last night, about a hundred people, VR\/AR experts or not, simple curious or fervent specialists, gathered in the Laval Virtual World. Almost two months after the virtual version of the annual exhibition<\/a>, these all-digital Laval Virtual Days<\/a> were an opportunity to look back on the virtual adventure of the past few weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual worlds: the rebirth of the phoenix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last night was no longer the excitement of discovering the virtual world, but rather the taste of reunion. Laval Virtual World has become a familiar environment for many people. Since the virtual event was held last April, many people have embraced this digital space to continue exchanging, sharing and meeting<\/strong>. Two months later, the virtual world built in VirBELA<\/a> takes all its meaning through punctual meetings like these Laval Virtual Days. So many events that are full of enrichment and insights to continue exploiting these new virtual worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laurent Chrétien<\/a>, CEO of Laval Virtual, made it clear in his introductory speech: “Welcome home!” This was the mission that Laval Virtual and its entire team had set for itself: the longevity and ownership of the Laval Virtual World. A few weeks ago, it resulted in the creation of the Mayenne World<\/a> by the French department. The development initiated by the Laval Virtual World continues, and the emergence of virtual worlds is now certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his introduction, Laurent Chrétien spoke about the rebirth of a phoenix through the emergence of virtual worlds. The health crisis has led to finding alternative solutions to work, to meet, to organize events. Finally, when we thought we were back to normal after these months of transformation, we realize that all the solutions imagined and deployed have a role to play in the future. Some of them are even seen as a way to preserve the planet and its rich nature. How to continue using virtual worlds?<\/strong> How to avoid the exhaustion of solutions that may seem too avant-garde and innovative? How can we appropriate new technologies, including immersive techniques, to offer alternatives that are respectful but above all accessible to all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A (virtual) world of possibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The success of virtual events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A few months ago, it was inconceivable to hold conferences and meetings in a completely virtual world, with participants reincarnated as avatars. Well, we weren’t thinking about it! Systematically, a meeting, a seminar, an event (especially an international one), was done face-to-face. However, alternative solutions quickly emerged. The world of virtual and augmented reality<\/a> has now appropriated them and is seeing the benefits. Othman Chiheb, Product Marketing Manager for HoloLens Microsoft<\/a>, spoke about the Microsoft Area from the Laval Virtual World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Microsoft Area was a reserved space during the Laval Virtual World. A space that was built and set up in just 5 days, after Microsoft made the decision to support the virtual event: “Microsoft used to be a historical partner to Laval Virtual’s physical event.<\/em>” Microsoft teams did not hesitate more than five seconds before expressing their support for Laval Virtual World, sensing the importance of encouraging this kind of initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The enthusiasm was also strong among Microsoft partners and speakers chosen for the three virtual days: “Our partners really wanted to be part of this world premiere.<\/em>” So much that more than 80 speakers contributed to conference programme built in only 24 hours<\/strong> which was a great success. Between 70 and 100 people attended, which is much more than during the physical events. “3,200 avatars entered the Microsoft Area on the first day<\/em>“, reports Othman Chiheb, and “460 during the keynote of Mark Day.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining links within the XR community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Othman Chiheb already sees the benefits of a virtual event, first of all the cost which is much less than a physical event. He also explains that the Laval Virtual World has helped strengthen relationships with Microsoft customers. The same goes for Andrey Lunev, Community Activist for XR Crowd. In his lecture, he explained how the XR community stayed connected during the lockdown<\/strong>. The virtual worlds were a great help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrey Lunev began by explaining, “In March 2020, I was looking forward to more events, when suddenly all of those events started canceling.” So we had to find another way to bring the XR community together. And what better choice than virtual reality<\/a>, the heart of its universe, to do that? #ZeroEvent was then created: “it’s a weekly gathering of the community.” The goal was to continue the exchange, but the opportunity was also to test virtual reality platforms<\/strong>: “We all wanted to explore the social interactions and the only way to do that was to get together in VR and test the platforms.” Many platforms have been tested: Engage, VirBELA, VR Chat, AltspaceVR, Rumii, Glue Collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is these virtual gatherings and tests that led to the choice of VirBELA<\/a> to organize the Laval Virtual World. But they have also helped to grow the relationship between all members, especially between Laval Virtual and XR Crowd. The virtual worlds and events have not only maintained the existing link within the XR community, but have also created new content and studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n