The Twitch of virtual reality: VR live streaming startup VREAL comes out of stealth mode
VREAL's technology allows developers to turn their gaming environments into a theater-like virtual social meeting place, letting game streamers interact with viewers who want to participate in the experience.
For example, I tried out a few demos at VREAL last week, one of which was a mini putt-putt game. I strapped on a HTC Vive headset — VREAL’s technology works for any VR device — that was connected to a PC and was transported to the virtual golf world, where I watched another player make his way around the course. Joining me in real-time was another VREAL employee — I could see her virtual avatar, and we could talk to each other. We were able to move freely around the virtual world using the touch controllers, giving one another virtual fist-bumps when the other player sunk his putt.
It’s clear that VREAL wants to make virtual reality a social experience,...
VREAL’s technology lets developers enable these live streaming interactions without requiring many changes to the game itself, Hooper noted. There are no third-party broadcasting applications, as anyone can broadcast their stream directly through VREAL. The platform is not just for those with VR headsets, either, and also allows for 360-degree and 2D video streams — essentially, viewers using any type of screen can watch a VR gaming experience via VREAL.
“People see other people playing the game, and they get to experience it together,” he said. “That generates excitement around the game.
VREAL, which is launching its beta product this summer, employs 12 people and raised a $3.3 million seed round in November from Upfront Ventures, Vulcan Capital, Presence Capital, IT Farm, Dawn Patrol Ventures and Seattle and Bay Area angel investors.
See the full story here: http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virtual-reality-streaming-startup-vreal-comes-stealth/