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Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Microsoft resuscitates AltspaceVR for social mixed reality

Source: venturebeat.com --- Tuesday, October 03, 2017
Microsoft announced today that it has acquired the AltspaceVR team as it announced its big initiative to created a hardware and software ecosystem around Windows mixed reality headsets. Microsoft didn’t explain the terms of the deal, saying only that AltspaceVR is joining Microsoft . Microsoft calls the emerging technology “mixed reality” to encompass both augmented reality headsets, such as its own HoloLens, and virtual reality headsets. When AltspaceVR shut down in July , it seemed like the glory days of VR were over, as other well-known startups such as Envelop VR were also closing. But the fledgling industry is full of winners and losers, some of which are still raising money. Now it seems like the glory days are back, with Microsoft moving in to save the day. AltspaceVR was founded by Eric Romo in his home office in 2013. He wanted to create a social space in the emerging medium of virtual reality. The company raised $10.3 million in 2015 from Comcast Ventures, Tencent, Dolby Family Ventures, Raine Ventures, Lux Capital, Western Technology Investments, Maven Ventures, Promus Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, and Rothenberg Ventures. Rivals include Rec Room, Roblox, Linden Lab, and TheWaveVR. Above: Eric Romo, CEO of AltspaceVR at SVVR. Image Credit: Dean Takahashi Things seemed to be going well at first, but VR itself had a big hiccup. VR didn’t meet expectations for sales, since PC-based systems were pretty expensive during ...



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