Free 4-day virtual reality conference XR:WA returns to the Perth Cultural Centre this month

Our future is one filled with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and gaming, and XR:WA returns to the Perth Cultural Centre to get you fully immersed in all of the above this July.

The free conference, taking place from July 20-23 at WA Museum Boola Bardip and State Library of WA, is unlike any other in Australia, merges digital exploration, interactive events, workshops, presentations and networking opportunities across four futuristic days.

Curated by the same team behind Revelation Perth International Film Festival, it’s a jam-packed program that puts WA at the forefront of where these exciting mediums are headed.

“We love working in this area of powerful convergence of all media forms,” says Festival Director Richard Sowada. “Through our collaborations in producing six VR works in five years, creating more than 50 jobs doing that and investing more than a quarter of a million dollars into the sector, we’ve seen the real power of these immersive forms including games, so bringing these conversations to Perth for this event is thrilling for us all.”

Along with the 3-Day Trade Floor & Exhibition and the Games & Experience Emporium in WA Museum Boola Bardip’s Hackett Hall, other highlights include:

• Gravity (VR) – a thrilling journey through a chaotic universe in an intense 15-minute journey;
• Shadow (VR) – an immersive experience that lets you pilot a mosquito bomber plane in the Royal Airforce in 1945;
• Ghost Cam (VR) – a haunting VR exploration game where you’re tasked with ghost hunting in an eerie, abandoned room.
• The Virtual Circle – a digital installation comprising six sculptures presented as an AR short film;
• Transcendence – a multi-sensory exhibit in the museum that combines tradition artistry and state-of-the-art tech

At its core, XR:WA aspires to ignite a passion in the next wave of creatives and business enthusiasts, motivating them to delve into the limitless possibilities of VR, AR, immersive technology and gaming.

All events are free -head to the XR:WA website to learn more.

Image Credit: Supplied / Anthony Tran