In just the past month, we've partnered with several institutions of higher learning in order to bring our Virtual Reality booths to university-sponsored events, including the University of Maryland, Colorado State University, and Tulane University.
Why Do Universities Love Virtual Reality?
University Student Affairs and Event Departments curate events with a set of specific goals: to create an atmosphere for students that reduces stress, to integrate students into the intellectual and cultural climate of the institution, and to make students excited about their decision to attend the university. These departments have identified Virtual Reality as an activity that achieves each of these objectives. By exposing students to Virtual Reality, a university informs its students that the school has its finger on the pulse of emerging and innovative technologies, while simultaneously offering students an exciting and engaging immersion into that technology.
Additionally, students' experience with Virtual Reality may even lead them to consider new academic career paths, particularly in software engineering and design. On a few occasions, we were approached by Computer Science professors eager to test out our Virtual Reality booths. Often times, professors will acknowledge the fact that experiencing something as immersive and exciting as Virtual Reality has the potential to greatly persuade students to pursue degrees relevant to the development and creation of Virtual Reality environments.
What are Students' Favorite Virtual Reality Environments?
Not surprisingly, students gravitate towards Virtual Reality games. Below we listed some favorites.
Job Simulator
Description: In a world where robots have replaced all human jobs, step into the 'Job Simulator' to learn what it was like 'to job'
The Lab
Description: Set in a pocket universe of Aperture Science, The Lab offers a wide range of ways to enjoy VR, all in one application.
Audioshield
Description: Block the beats! Audioshield puts you at the point of impact for every hit in your songs. Block incoming orbs with your shields and feel the music. Works with any song
Ace Combat
Description: Discover the glory of being an elite fighter pilot. Become an Ace pilot by taking down enemies through tactical dogfighting, while experiencing the exhilaration of flying freely in a fully immersive world.
Resources for Students Interested in Learning about Virtual Reality Development:
Unity Tutorials: Expansive knowledge base offering a wide array of topics
FXphd: There are over 200 courses available via FXphd and its a subscription-based educational service
Unreal VR: An engine used to help create stunning graphics for virtual reality exploration
Pluralsight: A learning platform that is based on technology that is affordable and extensive
The easiest way to start creating Virtual Reality applications is by using the Unity Game Engine, which is free and accessible. Once students have the basics of Unity down, they can begin designing applications specifically for Virtual Reality. The resources listed above are great starting points to begin learning about Virtual Reality development.
The versatility of Virtual Reality makes it an ideal addition to any event, whether that’s at a trade show, conference, or on a University’s campus. Virtual Reality booths consistently and dramatically enhance the experience of an event’s attendees and will leave guests talking about their experience in Virtual Reality long after they take off the VR headset.
Check out our most recent press release for the full story
Looking to add a unique, immersive, and exciting new experience to your event? Skip the boring photo booth and choose an amazing experience that your guests will be talking about for years to come with virtual reality!
Click here to watch a video and see what guests think of Maverick VR:
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