Reflecting on GDC 2024: Embracing the Evolution of Augmented Reality

As entrepreneurs, it's natural to immerse ourselves in the narratives we've crafted for our ventures, fuelled by optimism and passion. These stories sustain us through challenges, propelling us forward. However, there's a unique satisfaction when our stories materialise into reality.

GDC 2024 marked a significant milestone in the journey of Beyond, validating our longstanding belief in creating inclusive virtual worlds. The event underscored the mainstream embrace of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and spatial computing, evident in the proliferation of XR gaming across the expo floor. It was heartening to witness an abundance of new headsets and games signalling a shift towards widespread adoption.

Among the prominent sponsors, Meta's presence stood out, showcasing the boundless possibilities and compelling games within the XR realm. Meta 3 has been a game changer for our studio so it was no surprise to see lots of other studios making games using this headset.

?While the Apple Vision Pro was non-existent on the expo floor, discussions and meetups highlighted the anticipation surrounding this innovative device. As seasoned early adopters, we recognise Apple's track record of iterative improvement and commitment to delivering on promises which is why we’re getting ready to ship our first Vision Pro title Runaways, next month.

Yes, this is a first generation headset for them. Good things take time.

Engagements with industry leaders like Niantic, Pico, and Meta offered insights into the evolution of hardware and it was exciting to see just how far they have all come. Our visit to Sandbox VR provided a fun diversion, experiencing their latest creation, Squid Games. The camaraderie shared during the game underscored the enduring appeal of social immersive experiences.

To those sceptical about the future of mixed reality, I extend a challenge: attend the next GDC and witness the burgeoning ecosystem firsthand. The proliferation of developers, games, and cutting-edge technology reaffirms the vitality of this sector.?

Augmented reality is here. Consumers are no-longer embarrassed to try headsets on in public, games are getting better and the hardware is amazing.

As we celebrate eight years of crafting immersive experiences, we eagerly anticipate the advancements yet to come. The era of immersive technology is upon us, and Beyond remains steadfast in our commitment to shaping its narrative.

Bring it on!