Link: How Burning Man VR rebuilt after Microsoft shut it down

When the 2020 pandemic canceled Burning Man, enthusiasts recreated the festival on the VR platform Altspace, attracting roughly 13,000 participants.

This digital success led to the continuous offering of the VR event, even after Burning Man officially resumed in 2022, under the name BRCvr.

However, a shift away from consumer VR at Microsoft led to the closure of Altspace in early 2023, effectively ending BRCvr.

In response, the creators, unable to find an adequate replacement, decided to develop their own VR platform, now known as BurnerSphere, launching just in time for the next physical festival.

Despite the challenges, this initiative reflects the broader difficulties still present in mainstreaming VR and illustrates the friction within the digital landscape.

BRCvr remains committed to the non-commercial ethos of Burning Man, steering clear of external platforms to maintain control over their cultural and operational vision, charging members a nominal fee for special content and events. #

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.