ENGAGE

REVIEW: EngageVR is probably one of the most sophisticated social Virtual Reality platforms to come along in a long time. Its strengths are focused on sharing VR environments efficiently with large groups of people. It offers access for multiple headsets, even the Oculus GO! and the Quest users can join in and of course desktop users too, not as much fun but works in a pinch. There are wonderful tools for rehearsing and recording multi-levelled presentations that include speaking and synchronization with hundreds of effects from video screens to dust storms and flocks of birds, animals and specific objects, all recorded in true 360-degree magic! The recordings are stored and can be shared with others or played back any time later to an actual audience where you can even act as your own assistant by adding more details and effects in real-time on top of the pre-recorded sequence playing back. EngageVR features a very novel virtualized Tablet where you can store notes or links to external Youtube videos or websites, and also give hosts special features for setting conditions for presentations. It is packed with other features like mic mute, sharing options, IFX and other media. There is an amazing full 3d spatial sound placement option which allows sounds to be placed in proximity locations throughout an event. The User Interface is no-nonsense yet provides all the necessary channels to find an excellent environment to suit your purposes. Top of that list is a full 360 theatre which displays excellent quality 360 video allowing multiple people in attendance to be right inside the playback! There are some tutorials provided and while the software can probably do a better job of showing who is online at any given time, there seems to be a significant sense that individuals should be relying on their own networking to meet and greet at specific times. The Calendar of Events is the first thing to check if you are looking to attend pre-organized presentations. Hard to fault this VR platform either with its enhanced Avatar creation tools that include a well-integrated use of your facial photo to give your Avatar realistic individuality. This is a platform designed by and for educators and creative people with an eye on demonstrating that VR is so much more than a gaming platform but rather one that explores what exactly VR excels at doing best, and in that regard, communication, sharing experiences and simulations comes to a whole new level within EngageVR. Having lived through a lot of social VR worlds evolving since 1995, this one just seems the most professional at being optimized for multiple media sources and providing broad user-accessibility. It opens a vital gateway to this incredible age of real, virtual environments, particularly for teaching, meetings and planning a knowledge-based future. Check it out.