Immersive Insights 11/03/24

Qatar Adventure on Roblox Attracts 7 Million Players, Spurring Real-World Tourism Interest

Qatar Adventure, a virtual haven on Roblox showcasing Qatari culture and landmarks, attracted over seven million players from 32 countries across four continents during its seven-week run. The immersive experience, developed in collaboration with Qatar's International Media Office’s Q Life and Century Games, featured iconic Qatari landmarks like the Lusail Stadium and offered activities such as pearl diving and swimming with whale sharks. The success of the virtual adventure sparked a keen interest in real-world tourism to Qatar, with 86.8% of participants expressing a desire to visit Qatar after their virtual exploration.

BIC Launches First-of-its-Kind Art Gallery in Africa's Metaverse

BIC has unveiled Africa's inaugural art gallery in the Metaverse, extending its Art Master Africa competition to showcase talent and creativity. Featuring artwork from Southern, Eastern, and West Africa, the digital gallery highlights pieces crafted with BIC Cristal ballpoint pens. This initiative offers a platform for emerging artists to exhibit and sell their work, with renowned talents like Nosakhare Igbinosa and Hezekiah Okon contributing. The initiative aligns with BIC's commitment to fostering self-expression and creativity, as seen through the success of the Art Master Africa competition, now in its sixth year.

NHS Surgeons Pioneer Augmented Reality Surgery Using Apple's Vision Pro Goggles

NHS surgeons at Cromwell Hospital in London made history by employing 苹果 's Vision Pro goggles during a spine surgery, marking a UK first. The ￡2,700 virtual reality device enabled the surgical team to navigate the operation in augmented reality, with a scrub nurse utilising the goggles to access vital information and select appropriate tools. Praised as a "gamechanger," the technology eliminates human error and enhances surgical confidence. The AI software, developed by US firm Exes, records operation stages for comparison with similar procedures, earning accolades from surgeons for its transformative impact. As the UK seeks to modernize NHS IT systems and embrace AI, this groundbreaking surgery underscores the potential of innovative technology in healthcare.

New Unreal Engine pricing and licensing is coming in late April

Unreal Engine announces the launch of a seat-based subscription model priced at $1,850 per seat for companies generating over $1 million in annual revenue, aimed at non-game industries. With the release of Unreal Engine 5.4, this new pricing structure will offer access to Unreal Engine along with complementary creative tools like Twinmotion and RealityCapture, facilitating the creation of high-quality 3D experiences. The subscription aims to make Unreal Engine development sustainable for industries beyond gaming while continuing to support students, educators, and hobbyists with free access to the platform.

Luxury Fashion Embraces Roblox for Digital-First Marketing

High-end fashion brands like HUGO BOSS are turning to Roblox to promote new collections, leveraging the platform's gamification and social features to engage with younger consumers. Despite challenges in the luxury retail sector, Roblox's expanding advertising services and focus on commerce make it an attractive destination for fashion partners seeking innovative marketing strategies.

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