Afleveringen
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"The Thrill of the Fight" is unquestionably one of the most iconic and authentic VR experiences ever created. Now, with "The Thrill of the Fight 2," the franchise is entering a bold new chapter.
In this episode, I dive deep into the making of TOTF2 with Creative Director Edward Vasquez, exploring how the video game company Halfbrick is evolving the raw, room-scale intensity of the original, fully developed by the one-man-army Ian Fitz, while introducing multiplayer, a full career mode, smarter AI, and a stronger sense of presence and narrative.
Edward shares his personal story of falling in love with boxing, the moment VR âclickedâ for him, the challenges of designing real-time multiplayer combat, and why the version of TOTF2 available today represents only 10â15% of their full vision. We also break down embodiment, agency, player freedom, and what it means to design a VR experience that truly makes you feel inside the fight.
Whether you're a longtime fan of TOTF, a VR developer, or someone curious about the future of immersive sports, this conversation delivers exclusive insights, big reveals, and an inspiring look at where VR boxing is headed.
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I sit down with someone whose influence can be felt across technology, education, entrepreneurship, and global community building. Julie Smithson is the CEO and co-founder of METAVRSE, XR Women and Unlimited Awesome. She is a driving force in shaping how we create, collaborate, and thrive in the spatial web.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Julie shares the incredible trajectory that brought her to becoming one of todayâs most respected voices in immersive tech. We explore how her human-centric background in hospitality, combined with more than a decade of XR experience, informs the way she leads and designs for people rather than machines.
She opens up about the mission behind Unlimited Awesome, a new educational ecosystem focused on perseverance, social impact, environmental responsibility, and preparing young people for a future where entrepreneurship and emerging technologies converge. We also discusse about why AI-first creation tools will redefine how students and creators build immersive worlds.
We dive into the importance of governance and AI literacy, the shift toward agents over assistants, and why collaboration may become the most transformative âkiller appâ in the next wave of immersive adoption.
And of course, we celebrate XR Women on its 5th anniversary: a vibrant global community now spanning more than 60 countries, empowering women and girls to lead, innovate, and shape the next era of spatial computing. Julie reflects on the current state of womenâs representation in XR, where progress is happening, and where the industry urgently needs to evolve.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In December 2024, live from Stereopsia 2024 in Brussels, I sat down with Alexandra Gerard, Co-Director and Co-Founder of UnitedXR Europe, and Managing Director of Stereopsia, to explore how one of the continentâs leading XR events has evolved over the years. Alexandra shares how she fosters collaboration across Europeâs diverse XR ecosystem, the growing presence of women in immersive tech, and her mission to create a circuit connecting XR events across the continent.
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Dans cette Stereopsia Session, je rencontre Christophe Hermanns, directeur de Vigo Creative, pour discuter de la maniĂšre dont le Serious Gaming en rĂ©alitĂ© virtuelle transforme la formation professionnelle â des pompiers belges apprenant les protocoles liĂ©s aux matiĂšres dangereuses jusquâaux simulations pour centrales nuclĂ©aires. Christophe partage Ă©galement des rĂ©flexions sur le succĂšs du studio avec The Smurfs: Blueberry Battle, un jeu bientĂŽt disponible dans plusieurs parcs dâattractions Ă travers le monde, et explique pourquoi les expĂ©riences multijoueurs reprĂ©sentent, selon lui, lâavenir vĂ©ritable de la rĂ©alitĂ© virtuelle.
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In this Stereopsia Session, I spoke with Prof. Raigmor Barras and Prof. Rosemary Bernabe, coordinators of the EU project XR4Human, about creating a Code of Conduct for ethical and human-centred immersive technologies. They discuss the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and interoperability in XRâand their hope that the European Commission will adopt their guidelines to ensure an equitable future for all users.
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In this Stereopsia Session, I sat down with Roger ter Heide, CEO and Founder of ImproVive, to discuss the intersection of AI, VR, and interactive narrative design. His museum installation "Anders?!" from the Museum de Heksenwaag, immerses visitors in the emotional tension of historical witch-trial interrogationsâpowered by conversational AI and responsive avatars. Roger shares how this technology sparks reflection on modern discrimination and how AI-driven motion and emotion are reshaping VR storytelling.
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In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Jon Yu, founder of Elysium AR, a no-code AR co-creation app designed to make worldbuilding accessible to everyone.
We talk about the inspirations behind Elysium, the challenges of designing for AR in vibrant public spaces, and why user experience is becoming the true âmoatâ in immersive technology. Jon shares his thoughts on the upcoming wave of wearable devices, from the Meta Ray-Ban Display and Orion to the Spectacles by Snap, as well as the Meta Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro passthrough technologies, and what they mean for the future of creativity and connection in AR.
Itâs a wide-ranging conversation about accessibility, storytelling, and the social dimensions of AR, and why the next chapter of immersive media might not be built in code, but through collaboration.
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In this powerful episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with MÄori filmmaker, educator, and immersive media innovator Wiremu Grace, the creative force behind "Atuatanga," a groundbreaking VR experience told entirely in te reo MÄori. Premiered at the 2025 Imaginative Festival in Toronto, "Atuatanga" brings MÄori spiritual narratives, environmental awareness, and ancestral wisdom into the immersive realm of VR.
Together, we explore the cultural and creative journey behind "Atuatanga," the role of Indigenous storytelling in XR, and the future of MÄori participation in immersive technologies. From community engagement to language revitalization, this episode shines a light on the transformative power of VR when rooted in Indigenous identity and knowledge.
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In this powerful episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with MÄori filmmaker, educator, and immersive media innovator Wiremu Grace, the creative force behind "Atuatanga," a groundbreaking VR experience told entirely in te reo MÄori. Premiered at the 2025 Imaginative Festival in Toronto, "Atuatanga" brings MÄori spiritual narratives, environmental awareness, and ancestral wisdom into the immersive realm of VR.
Together, we explore the cultural and creative journey behind "Atuatanga," the role of Indigenous storytelling in XR, and the future of MÄori participation in immersive technologies. From community engagement to language revitalization, this episode shines a light on the transformative power of VR when rooted in Indigenous identity and knowledge.
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In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Jonathan Griffith, director, producer, and sports photographer, to explore the making of his groundbreaking VR film Touching the Sky, co-produced by Meta and Red Bull. Filmed across the French Alps and the Himalayas, the documentary captures wingsuit flying, paragliding, and other adrenaline-fueled sports in stunning stereoscopic 360°.
Jonathan reveals the creative and technical challenges of filming extreme sports in VR, why this medium demands raw honesty with no retakes or tricks, and how immersive media is reshaping storytelling for audiences worldwide. Whether youâre passionate about virtual reality, filmmaking, or extreme sports, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to capture the impossible.
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In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Jonathan Griffith, director, producer, and sports photographer, to explore the making of his groundbreaking VR film Touching the Sky, co-produced by Meta and Red Bull. Filmed across the French Alps and the Himalayas, the documentary captures wingsuit flying, paragliding, and other adrenaline-fueled sports in stunning stereoscopic 360°.
Jonathan reveals the creative and technical challenges of filming extreme sports in VR, why this medium demands raw honesty with no retakes or tricks, and how immersive media is reshaping storytelling for audiences worldwide. Whether youâre passionate about virtual reality, filmmaking, or extreme sports, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to capture the impossible.
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In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Stephen Henderson, multidisciplinary artist, programmer, and spatial designer, to explore tAxI, a groundbreaking immersive installation that invites passengers into a driverless cab for a deeply human conversation with an AI, presented at the Immersive Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Co-directed by Henderson alongside Yamil Rodriguez and Michael Arcos, tAxI challenges our expectations of immersive media by removing the headset entirely. Through spatial design, AI-driven dialogue, and real-time responsive visuals, it becomes a space of confession, memory, and reflection.
We discuss what it means to create presence without VR hardware, how AI can be designed to truly listen, and why a driverless taxi becomes the perfect vessel for storytelling. From linguistic nuance to emotional resonance, this experience raises profound questions about intimacy, technology, and the future of narrative design.
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In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Stephen Henderson, multidisciplinary artist, programmer, and spatial designer, to explore tAxI, a groundbreaking immersive installation that invites passengers into a driverless cab for a deeply human conversation with an AI, presented at the Immersive Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Co-directed by Henderson alongside Yamil Rodriguez and Michael Arcos, tAxI challenges our expectations of immersive media by removing the headset entirely. Through spatial design, AI-driven dialogue, and real-time responsive visuals, it becomes a space of confession, memory, and reflection.
We discuss what it means to create presence without VR hardware, how AI can be designed to truly listen, and why a driverless taxi becomes the perfect vessel for storytelling. From linguistic nuance to emotional resonance, this experience raises profound questions about intimacy, technology, and the future of narrative design.
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Dans cet Ă©pisode de Dr. VR, je reçois Dominic Desjardins et Rayne Zuckerman, crĂ©ateur·trice·s basé·e·s Ă Toronto et fondateur·trice·s de Zazie Films, Ă lâorigine de lâexpĂ©rience en rĂ©alitĂ© virtuelle La maison de poupĂ©e / The Dollhouse, prĂ©sentĂ©e Ă la CompĂ©tition Immersive du Festival de Cannes.
Ă travers le regard sensible dâune enfant et un univers de papier qui se dĂ©ploie, La maison de poupĂ©e explore les dynamiques de pouvoir, la culpabilitĂ©, et la responsabilitĂ© individuelle dans lâintimitĂ© des foyers. Ce rĂ©cit interactif donne au spectateur un rĂŽle actif et engageant : que feriez-vous si vous teniez une poupĂ©e fragile entre vos mains, seul, avec tout le pouvoir de choisir ?
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Dans cet Ă©pisode de Dr. VR, je reçois Dominic Desjardins et Rayne Zuckerman, crĂ©ateur·trice·s basé·e·s Ă Toronto et fondateur·trice·s de Zazie Films, Ă lâorigine de lâexpĂ©rience en rĂ©alitĂ© virtuelle La maison de poupĂ©e / The Dollhouse, prĂ©sentĂ©e Ă la CompĂ©tition Immersive du Festival de Cannes.
Ă travers le regard sensible dâune enfant et un univers de papier qui se dĂ©ploie, La maison de poupĂ©e explore les dynamiques de pouvoir, la culpabilitĂ©, et la responsabilitĂ© individuelle dans lâintimitĂ© des foyers. Ce rĂ©cit interactif donne au spectateur un rĂŽle actif et engageant : que feriez-vous si vous teniez une poupĂ©e fragile entre vos mains, seul, avec tout le pouvoir de choisir ?
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In this episode, I sit down with Eloise Singer, director and founder of Singer Studios, and Dr. Dave Ranyard, producer, immersive media pioneer, and studio director, to explore their VR work currently under consideration for an Emmy nomination and recently showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in the Immersive Competition. Their projects are redefining how we engage with history through virtual reality.
From the windswept decks of The Pirate Queen to the revolutionary journey of Bertha Benz in Trailblazer, this conversation delves into the creative and technical processes behind these genre-defying experiences. We discuss Trailblazer's Cannes premiere, the growing field of immersive historical storytelling, and the importance of agency, embodiment, and innovation in shaping the future of XR, while exploring how VR challenges traditional boundaries between audience and narrative.
And stay tuned for an exciting surprise announcement from Singer Studios!
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In this episode, I sit down with Eloise Singer, director and founder of Singer Studios, and Dr. Dave Ranyard, producer, immersive media pioneer, and studio director, to explore their VR work currently under consideration for an Emmy nomination and recently showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in the Immersive Competition. Their projects are redefining how we engage with history through virtual reality.
From the windswept decks of The Pirate Queen to the revolutionary journey of Bertha Benz in Trailblazer, this conversation delves into the creative and technical processes behind these genre-defying experiences. We discuss Trailblazer's Cannes premiere, the growing field of immersive historical storytelling, and the importance of agency, embodiment, and innovation in shaping the future of XR, while exploring how VR challenges traditional boundaries between audience and narrative.
And stay tuned for an exciting surprise announcement from Singer Studios!
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Step into the world of From Dust, the groundbreaking VR opera that just won the Best Immersive Experience at the Cannes Film Festival.
In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Michel van der Aa, the acclaimed composer, director, and innovator, whose latest work merges classical vocal performance with AI-powered interactivity to create an experience thatâs tailor-made for each participant.
We discuss the future of immersive opera, how AI reshapes storytelling, and what it means to place the audience at the center of the performance We also explore topics such as immersive design, digital performance, as well as the intersection of technology and emotion.
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Dans cet Ă©pisode spĂ©cial du podcast Dr. VR, enregistrĂ© Ă lâoccasion du 78e Festival de Cannes, je retrouve Elie Levasseur, responsable de la CompĂ©tition Immersive, pour un Ă©change passionnant sur la place grandissante de la XR dans le paysage culturel international. Nous discutons des nouveautĂ©s de cette deuxiĂšme Ă©dition, marquĂ©e par lâintroduction des catĂ©gories Immersive â Focus et Hors CompĂ©tition, qui tĂ©moignent dâune volontĂ© de structurer davantage la programmation immersive du festival. Elie revient Ă©galement sur la visite marquante de la ministre française de la Culture, Rachida Dati, et sur ce que cela reprĂ©sente en termes de reconnaissance institutionnelle et de soutien gouvernemental Ă la crĂ©ation immersive.
Nous explorons aussi lâessor de lâintelligence artificielle dans plusieurs Ćuvres sĂ©lectionnĂ©es cette annĂ©e, comme Lili, tAxI ou encore From Dust, en nous interrogeant sur lâimpact de ces technologies sur la narration, lâinteraction et la notion mĂȘme dâauteur. Enfin, Elie partage son point de vue sur le choix du jury de remettre le prix de la Meilleure Ćuvre immersive Ă From Dust de Michel van der Aa, une expĂ©rience en rĂ©alitĂ© mixte qui redĂ©finit les codes de la crĂ©ation immersive contemporaine. Un Ă©pisode riche en rĂ©flexions, entre innovation artistique, politique culturelle et avenir de la XR.
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I sat down with freelance professional Danielle Giroux who works in the XR industry contributing to XRMust to unpack the bold, moving, and unexpected pieces from the SXSW 2025 XR lineup. From headset-free experiences to global stories about memory and place, this yearâs festival had a lot to say about where XR is heading.
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