Virtual Reality
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].
