a16z Podcast | VR, AR, and Beyond: The New Medium of Human Experience

TL;DR

A discussion about the challenges and potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), and how they are changing the way we experience storytelling.

Transcript

hi everyone welcome to the a 6nz podcast I'm sonal today we're kicking off our new series on new mediums storytelling with the conversation about VR AR that's virtual reality and augmented reality and beyond and what does it mean when the celluloid that we're now working with is actually the human experience joining us to have this conversation we ... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ High-quality consumer headsets and advancements in software have made now an appropriate time to invest in VR as an ecosystem.
• 📽️ Hollywood is shifting its perspective on VR, moving from marketing-funded projects to content with the potential to generate revenue.
• 👾 The future of VR involves a blend of narrative forms, game-like experiences, and live events.
• 👻 The format of VR is fluid, allowing for the evolution of storytelling structures and the potential for democratization of human experience.
• 🤗 The merging of VR and AR technologies opens up new avenues for immersive experiences and social interaction.
• 💨 The democratization of human experience in VR, in a similar way to the democratization of information on the internet, is an exciting prospect.
• 😑 The future of VR and AR as mediums for self-expression and social interaction is still evolving, with various possibilities and avenues to explore.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is now the right time to jump into VR as an ecosystem?

Now is the right time to jump into VR due to the availability of high-quality consumer headsets that have overcome previous issues of motion sickness. This, coupled with advancements in software development, allows for the creation of great products and companies in the VR industry.

Q: How is Hollywood thinking about VR and its potential investments?

Hollywood is shifting from exclusively funding VR pieces with marketing budgets to funding content with the intention of monetizing it. Studios are starting to realize the need to explore VR to be prepared for when the VR market is more mature and profitable.

Q: What is the future of VR as a cinematic medium?

The future of VR as a cinematic medium is still uncertain, but the panelists believe it will involve a range of narrative forms, game-like experiences, and live events. The storytelling structure will also need to evolve as the technology and capabilities of VR improve.

Q: How will self-expression work in VR? Will we be sharing 360 videos like we do with photos and videos captured on our phones?

Self-expression in VR may involve sharing 360 content once it becomes easier to capture and distribute. However, the panelists also highlight the potential for user-generated content that allows people to create their own virtual worlds and explore them with friends. This type of functionality may not be mainstream yet but has the potential to evolve as VR technology develops.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The panel discusses the challenges and potential of VR and AR technologies, including their impact on storytelling.

• The panelists highlight the importance of high-quality consumer headsets and the development of software in making VR accessible and enjoyable for users.

• They also explore the evolving role of Hollywood in funding VR content and the need for a back catalog of content to drive VR adoption.

• The conversation delves into the future of VR as a cinematic medium and the potential for user-generated content and social interaction.

• The panelists also discuss the merging of VR and AR technologies, the importance of immersive experiences, and the democratization of human experience.