Wagner James Au / New World Notes

If people citing postmodern theorists in VRChat videos isn't enough of a sign of the virtual world's growing cultural prominence, here's another one: South by Southwest (i.e. SXSW), generally considered one of the leading tech and culture (music, movies, etc.) conferences in the US if not the world, is staging some of its events and showcases in VRChat this year:

Using the SXSW 2021 look and feel, SXSW Online XR will showcase live panels, meet ups, special events, a selection of 360° videos from the Virtual Cinema program, as well as 2D video feeds of SXSW programming. Austin venues recreated in the space include The Paramount Theatre, the Contemporary Austin, Mohawk, Empire Control Room & Garage, and Cedar Street Courtyard. SXSW worked with world-renowned artists and the social XR events studio VRrOOm to design and produce the festival’s virtual edition, which will be hosted on VRChat. The complete Virtual Cinema Program, including previously-announced Virtual Cinema Competition and Virtual Cinema Spotlight projects, will also be accessible and downloadable via the VRrOOm store online. The VRChat worlds can be experienced on PC, PCVR and Oculus Quest headsets.

I like the abstract, dreamlike version of Austin, Texas they've created for VRChat, and am curious if the platform allows enough local concurrency to capture anything like the wild serendipity that SXSW itself is beloved for, possible only when enough creative and zany people can be close together in the same place. (Three random personal examples off the top of my head: Joining a live klezmer band street party at 3am, watching a Japanese punk band turn themselves into human bowling pins, and playing real life Frogger on Austin's busiest street with a remote-controlled Roomba from a hotel balcony.)  

Anyway, info for joining the VRChat conference below:

Accessing the SXSW Online XR Worlds in VRChat

All SXSW Online passholders with a Windows PC, PCVR headset or Oculus Quest headset can access the SXSW Online XR Worlds in VRChat. Click on the SXSW Online XR tile at online.sxsw.com or go to the Creative Industries Exhibition and search for the SXSW Online XR booth. Follow these steps:

1. Register for VRChat and create your VRChat ID at hello.vrchat.com. Register early to get acquainted with your controls and social safety settings.

2. Add your VRChat ID to your sxsw.online.com attendee profile so we know you are a registrant when you friend us in VRChat.

3. After you register, visit the SXSW Online XR Booth at online.sxsw.com for the Official SXSW Hosts and friend us! Note that your friend request will not be accepted automatically and will need some time to be verified.

4. Download the VRChat app to your Windows PC, PCVR headset or Oculus Quest headset. Login and join the SXSW Hosts!

More info here.