Crytek Brings VR Labs to Universities

Crytek, an independent videogame company and developer of Cryengine software, has established VR First, an initiative to bring virtual reality labs to universities around the world.

The VR First program encourages higher education institutions to establish dedicated virtual reality labs on their campuses. Participating schools receive free access to the complete source code for Crytek's Cryengine development software, and hardware partners equip the labs with VR headsets and other equipment. "VR First locations will become key centers for nurturing new talent in VR development and creating a global community equipped to embrace this exciting field of technology," according to information on Crytek's site.

Universities that have already joined Crytek's VR First initiative include:

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has made its virtual reality/augmented reality lab available to partners across campus and has equipment from Oculus/Facebook, HTC/Valve, Microsoft, Samsung and others. RIT's Magic Spell Studios, where the VR First lab is located, is also working with partners to develop "homebrew" kits. "Virtual reality is a major focus of the entire industry right now and sits at the intersection of multiple entertainment media including games, film, mobile and interactive experiences," said Andrew Phelps, founder and CEO of RIT's MAGIC Spell Studios. "It is a new medium and we are excited to work with our friends and partners as we explore the impact that this technology can have on storytelling and engagement."

Further information about Crytek's VR First initiative can be found on the company's Cryengine site.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • computer with a red warning icon on its screen, surrounded by digital grids, glowing neural network patterns, and a holographic brain

    Report Highlights Security Risks of Open Source AI

    In these days of rampant ransomware and other cybersecurity exploits, security is paramount to both proprietary and open source AI approaches — and here the open source movement might be susceptible to some inherent drawbacks, such as use of possibly insecure code from unknown sources.

  • hand with glowing networking lines and bokeh lights

    Call for Speakers Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education: Thriving in the Age of AI

    The annual virtual conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will return on May 7, 2025, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and student success.

  • abstract pattern with interconnected blue nodes and lines forming neural network shapes, overlaid with semi-transparent bars and circular data points

    Data, AI Lead Educause Top 10 List for 2025

    Educause recently released its annual Top 10 list of the most important technology issues facing colleges and universities in the coming year, with a familiar trio leading the bunch: data, analytics, and AI. But the report presents these critical technologies through a new lens: restoring trust in higher education.

  • sleek fishing hook with a translucent email icon hanging from it

    Report Identifies Rise in Phishing-as-a-Service Attacks

    Cybersecurity researchers at Trustwave are warning about a surge in malicious e-mail campaigns leveraging Rockstar 2FA, a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) toolkit designed to steal Microsoft 365 credentials.