James Lewis
@trentjim.bsky.social
Nottingham Trent University - Senior Lecturer Virtual Reality. Started with VRML in '99
evangelising & criticising #3D #VR #AR & #MR via the media of #UnrealEngine #3DS & #Unity.
Research interest straddles Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Neurodiversity
evangelising & criticising #3D #VR #AR & #MR via the media of #UnrealEngine #3DS & #Unity.
Research interest straddles Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Neurodiversity
It's great that the (obvious) value of the tech is finding it's applications - still a tough value proposition though in mainstream when you factor in device lifespan and ( typically ) 1-2-1 facilitation
See how one NYC school is teaching autistic students crucial social skills through immersive virtual reality worlds.
NYC autism school teaches social skills with VR headsets
See how one NYC school is teaching autistic students crucial social skills through immersive virtual reality worlds.
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 6:28 PM
It's great that the (obvious) value of the tech is finding it's applications - still a tough value proposition though in mainstream when you factor in device lifespan and ( typically ) 1-2-1 facilitation
Good to see some mixed reality WebXR
February 18, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Good to see some mixed reality WebXR
And with that the last wisp of Hololens evaporated into the ether...
Anduril Breathes New Life Into Microsoft And The Army’s IVAS Program
After years of delays, hardware and software development for the IVAS project will shift to Anduril, with Microsoft continuing to supply cloud infrastructure.
www.forbes.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
And with that the last wisp of Hololens evaporated into the ether...
I don't care how hard it is making the sums add up in this business... It isn't acceptable to make people redundant via email from a faceless no reply address!
Unity slashes jobs, tells employees they're unemployed via 5am email
Another wave of redundancies has hit Unity, the company behind the ubiquitous video games engine.
www.eurogamer.net
February 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I don't care how hard it is making the sums add up in this business... It isn't acceptable to make people redundant via email from a faceless no reply address!
Not just "fake" but also "simply poor quality" I think the time has come for "reputable" publication to be dependent upon independent replication. And for funding and prestige to be attached to the important job of replication. For everything awaiting replication and verification there is Arxiv...
Fake papers are contaminating the world’s scientific literature, fueling a corrupt industry and slowing legitimate lifesaving medical research
‘Paper mills’ are contaminating the world’s scholarly output with fake papers that hinder research. Lifesaving biomedical fields are especially hard hit.
theconversation.com
January 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Not just "fake" but also "simply poor quality" I think the time has come for "reputable" publication to be dependent upon independent replication. And for funding and prestige to be attached to the important job of replication. For everything awaiting replication and verification there is Arxiv...
Reposted by James Lewis
New preprint of out! We investigated in people with body integrity dysphoria neural and phenomenological changes after playing a #VR game in a body corresponding to their desired body #amputated. We are very excited about the results, check medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
January 29, 2024 at 4:17 PM
New preprint of out! We investigated in people with body integrity dysphoria neural and phenomenological changes after playing a #VR game in a body corresponding to their desired body #amputated. We are very excited about the results, check medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Yeah... I like this.... But mirrors become really problematic when you aren't projecting into an adopted avatar.... Nothing breaks immersion like looking in a mirror and seeing a different face to your own staring back...
VR mirrors are crazy complex, and Godot has limitations which make them even harder to do, but if you're stubborn enough, you can make it happen! I did it by using the old trick of "just make a whole-ass mirror world" with smart clipping.
#GodotEngine #gamedev
#GodotEngine #gamedev
January 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Yeah... I like this.... But mirrors become really problematic when you aren't projecting into an adopted avatar.... Nothing breaks immersion like looking in a mirror and seeing a different face to your own staring back...
Blindsided by this news...
trying to figure out how a tie up between these two is going to work out. $250 mil isn't that significant a sum really so feels like there is some kind of genuine partnership thing afoot...
www.vive.com/us/newsroom/...
trying to figure out how a tie up between these two is going to work out. $250 mil isn't that significant a sum really so feels like there is some kind of genuine partnership thing afoot...
www.vive.com/us/newsroom/...
HTC Announces XR Agreement with Google
www.vive.com
January 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Blindsided by this news...
trying to figure out how a tie up between these two is going to work out. $250 mil isn't that significant a sum really so feels like there is some kind of genuine partnership thing afoot...
www.vive.com/us/newsroom/...
trying to figure out how a tie up between these two is going to work out. $250 mil isn't that significant a sum really so feels like there is some kind of genuine partnership thing afoot...
www.vive.com/us/newsroom/...
Some really surprising stats coming put of this years GDC State of the Game Industry report.
Over a third of respondents are active in the development of XR!
Is this just a blip or is this really going the be the ongoing size of the VR/AR/MR sector.
VR IS DEAD! - LOL!
gdconf.com/news/gdc-202...
Over a third of respondents are active in the development of XR!
Is this just a blip or is this really going the be the ongoing size of the VR/AR/MR sector.
VR IS DEAD! - LOL!
gdconf.com/news/gdc-202...
GDC 2025 State of the Game Industry: Devs Weigh in on Layoffs, AI, and More | News | Game Developers Conference (GDC)
One in 10 developers have lost their jobs over the past year. Opinions on live-service games are mixed, more studios are adopting Generative AI (even though it’s increasingly unpopular among developer...
gdconf.com
January 22, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Some really surprising stats coming put of this years GDC State of the Game Industry report.
Over a third of respondents are active in the development of XR!
Is this just a blip or is this really going the be the ongoing size of the VR/AR/MR sector.
VR IS DEAD! - LOL!
gdconf.com/news/gdc-202...
Over a third of respondents are active in the development of XR!
Is this just a blip or is this really going the be the ongoing size of the VR/AR/MR sector.
VR IS DEAD! - LOL!
gdconf.com/news/gdc-202...
If this is as bad as it appears (at first glance) then I fear severe reputational harm.
Reports of Quest headsets bricked at Christmas are surfacing on multiple forums online:
Reports Surface Of Quest Headsets Bricked By Software Update
Reports of Quest headsets bricked at Christmas are surfacing on multiple forums online.
www.uploadvr.com
December 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM
If this is as bad as it appears (at first glance) then I fear severe reputational harm.
Low poly modelling in #VR. It seems like an eternity has passed since Google blocks... Really excited to see that the software will live on as open source. Already available on Steam VR.
docs.openblocks.app/blog/introdu...
docs.openblocks.app/blog/introdu...
Introducing Open Blocks! | Open Blocks Docs
Blocks is going open source 🎉
docs.openblocks.app
December 14, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Low poly modelling in #VR. It seems like an eternity has passed since Google blocks... Really excited to see that the software will live on as open source. Already available on Steam VR.
docs.openblocks.app/blog/introdu...
docs.openblocks.app/blog/introdu...
Seems like a decent bit of kit. But it's in the same zone as a Meta Pro and the market just doesn't seem to exist for a premium device.
To what extent was this just about being seen to keep up with Apple? And will it follow the same trajectory?
That said I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. Hope.
To what extent was this just about being seen to keep up with Apple? And will it follow the same trajectory?
That said I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. Hope.
BREAKING: first reveal of Android XR and the Samsung MR headset!
uploadvr.com/samsung-andr...
#VirtualReality #MixedReality #AndroidXR #technology #SpatialComputing
uploadvr.com/samsung-andr...
#VirtualReality #MixedReality #AndroidXR #technology #SpatialComputing
Hands-On With Samsung's Android XR Headset, Shipping In 2025
Samsung's first standalone headset is coming in 2025, running Google's new Android XR operating system and powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset.
uploadvr.com
December 12, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Seems like a decent bit of kit. But it's in the same zone as a Meta Pro and the market just doesn't seem to exist for a premium device.
To what extent was this just about being seen to keep up with Apple? And will it follow the same trajectory?
That said I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. Hope.
To what extent was this just about being seen to keep up with Apple? And will it follow the same trajectory?
That said I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. Hope.
(video) Steampunk headset design for combining a Neuralink Blindsight brain implant with The vOICe visual-to-auditory sensory substitution smart glasses for the blind. Credit: OpenArt & Kling AI. White paper at www.seeingwithsound.com/neuralink.htm #BCI #NeuroTech #HMD 🤯😎
December 10, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Quest 3 multi monitor setups come to Windows 11
"Microsoft is partnering with Meta to make this experience available today in public preview, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community."
I'm presuming this isn't a Quest Link alternative yet?
"Microsoft is partnering with Meta to make this experience available today in public preview, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community."
I'm presuming this isn't a Quest Link alternative yet?
Immersive productivity with Windows and Meta Quest
YouTube video by Windows community
youtu.be
December 9, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Quest 3 multi monitor setups come to Windows 11
"Microsoft is partnering with Meta to make this experience available today in public preview, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community."
I'm presuming this isn't a Quest Link alternative yet?
"Microsoft is partnering with Meta to make this experience available today in public preview, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community."
I'm presuming this isn't a Quest Link alternative yet?
Congratulations to all the nominees (and winners) I would love this to achieve greater visibility in future years. If you want to try out the games themselves you can find them here.
itch.io/jam/me...%E2...
And for more info safeinourworld.org/news/mental-...
itch.io/jam/me...%E2...
And for more info safeinourworld.org/news/mental-...
Awards Showcase | Mental Health Game Dev Champions 2024
YouTube video by Safe In Our World
youtu.be
December 8, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Congratulations to all the nominees (and winners) I would love this to achieve greater visibility in future years. If you want to try out the games themselves you can find them here.
itch.io/jam/me...%E2...
And for more info safeinourworld.org/news/mental-...
itch.io/jam/me...%E2...
And for more info safeinourworld.org/news/mental-...
I agree with the sentiment here. Gimp really failed to achieve traction (and it's been over 25 years now) The patents which gave Adobe advantage over Open Source have largely expired. Given what a good job they did with video I wonder if @blender.org will rise to the challenge
My visceral hate for Adobe is growing by the minute. Software that has been a fundamental tool for the out of pocket creative industry has been transformed in to a faceless money, greedy landlord type, money grabbing operation.
Good morning!
Good morning!
December 8, 2024 at 10:53 AM
I agree with the sentiment here. Gimp really failed to achieve traction (and it's been over 25 years now) The patents which gave Adobe advantage over Open Source have largely expired. Given what a good job they did with video I wonder if @blender.org will rise to the challenge
Getting VR push buttons "right" is so hard...
Made some clicky button tech. Clickity click click hehehe.
I've always wanted buttons in VR that have some *resistance* to them, but are also light and snappy, not heavy. I think I've found the right balance for my game.
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev
I've always wanted buttons in VR that have some *resistance* to them, but are also light and snappy, not heavy. I think I've found the right balance for my game.
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev
December 8, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Getting VR push buttons "right" is so hard...
Reposted by James Lewis
If you aren't familiar with me, hi! I'm a senior engineer on Unity's XR team, and the technical lead for AR Foundation and its ARCore, ARKit, and Meta Quest implementations.
Here's our team's latest info from Unite 2024. (Pardon my nerves in the beginning hehe)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW27...
Here's our team's latest info from Unite 2024. (Pardon my nerves in the beginning hehe)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW27...
Immersive experiences: Building cross-platform mixed reality | Unite 2024
YouTube video by Unity
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2024 at 2:46 AM
If you aren't familiar with me, hi! I'm a senior engineer on Unity's XR team, and the technical lead for AR Foundation and its ARCore, ARKit, and Meta Quest implementations.
Here's our team's latest info from Unite 2024. (Pardon my nerves in the beginning hehe)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW27...
Here's our team's latest info from Unite 2024. (Pardon my nerves in the beginning hehe)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW27...
I'm quite intrigued by this. Its a karaoke game by the developers known for Guitar Hero so it's credentials don't get much better. I do wonder how effective it's feedback mechanism is for actually developing vocal talent. Promises a lot
Songbird | Announcement Trailer | Meta Quest 2 + Meta Quest 3
YouTube video by Songbird
youtu.be
December 6, 2024 at 9:55 PM
I'm quite intrigued by this. Its a karaoke game by the developers known for Guitar Hero so it's credentials don't get much better. I do wonder how effective it's feedback mechanism is for actually developing vocal talent. Promises a lot
Another freebie. If you have a Quest 3 this is superb. Limited time only.
Cues on Meta Quest
Introduce your friends and family to the magic of mixed reality with Cues.
- “It looks amazing. One of the coolest looking MR games I’ve seen” – Matt BMFVR
Dive into Cues, a hand-tracking experience...
www.meta.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:44 PM
Another freebie. If you have a Quest 3 this is superb. Limited time only.
Its so important that Godot thrives! My crystal ball says that Unity's days are numbered...
Godot essential so that we don't one day wake up to an Unreal Engine monopoly.
Blender led the way. I wish Godot the same success
Godot essential so that we don't one day wake up to an Unreal Engine monopoly.
Blender led the way. I wish Godot the same success
It's been over 10 years now that #Godot has been developed in the open, with code contributions from 2,800 users.
Today, we reached the issue #100,000 on GitHub:
github.com/godotengine/...
Today, we reached the issue #100,000 on GitHub:
github.com/godotengine/...
You're breathtaking! · Issue #100000 · godotengine/godot
It's been over 10 years now that Godot has been developed in the open, with code contributions from 2,800 users. The total count of people who helped build Godot is actually far greater, as it shou...
github.com
December 5, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Its so important that Godot thrives! My crystal ball says that Unity's days are numbered...
Godot essential so that we don't one day wake up to an Unreal Engine monopoly.
Blender led the way. I wish Godot the same success
Godot essential so that we don't one day wake up to an Unreal Engine monopoly.
Blender led the way. I wish Godot the same success
"...we introduce Genie 2, a foundation world model capable of generating an endless variety of action-controllable, playable 3D environments"
Second concept image to 3D world announcement this week.
Reading between the lines perhaps more 2D+ time than true geometry....
Second concept image to 3D world announcement this week.
Reading between the lines perhaps more 2D+ time than true geometry....
Genie 2: A large-scale foundation world model
Generating unlimited diverse training environments for future general agents
deepmind.google
December 4, 2024 at 7:09 PM
"...we introduce Genie 2, a foundation world model capable of generating an endless variety of action-controllable, playable 3D environments"
Second concept image to 3D world announcement this week.
Reading between the lines perhaps more 2D+ time than true geometry....
Second concept image to 3D world announcement this week.
Reading between the lines perhaps more 2D+ time than true geometry....
Carlsberg Marston's has been accused of "wiping out UK brewing heritage" following a decision to cut a number of beers sold in pubs.
I am bereft that this is the end of 'Old Empire" in my local.
(Pic from the good old days before it's trendy yoof brand refresh)
I am bereft that this is the end of 'Old Empire" in my local.
(Pic from the good old days before it's trendy yoof brand refresh)
December 4, 2024 at 8:44 AM
Carlsberg Marston's has been accused of "wiping out UK brewing heritage" following a decision to cut a number of beers sold in pubs.
I am bereft that this is the end of 'Old Empire" in my local.
(Pic from the good old days before it's trendy yoof brand refresh)
I am bereft that this is the end of 'Old Empire" in my local.
(Pic from the good old days before it's trendy yoof brand refresh)
Reposted by James Lewis
HAHAHA BEHOLD MIXED REALITY RECORDING!
COOL RIGHT?! (please validate me, this took forever to get working) ((Game is up-coming Project AEROES on Quest 3))
#gamedev #indiegames #indiegame
COOL RIGHT?! (please validate me, this took forever to get working) ((Game is up-coming Project AEROES on Quest 3))
#gamedev #indiegames #indiegame
December 3, 2024 at 3:49 PM
HAHAHA BEHOLD MIXED REALITY RECORDING!
COOL RIGHT?! (please validate me, this took forever to get working) ((Game is up-coming Project AEROES on Quest 3))
#gamedev #indiegames #indiegame
COOL RIGHT?! (please validate me, this took forever to get working) ((Game is up-coming Project AEROES on Quest 3))
#gamedev #indiegames #indiegame
Really interesting paper
"...effects of occipital cTBS on stereoscopic depth perception vary with the population tested. While occipital cTBS improves stereoacuity in amblyopic vision through yet unknown mechanisms, it is apparently not effective in healthy vision. Why might this be?..."
"...effects of occipital cTBS on stereoscopic depth perception vary with the population tested. While occipital cTBS improves stereoacuity in amblyopic vision through yet unknown mechanisms, it is apparently not effective in healthy vision. Why might this be?..."
Frontiers | cTBS over ventral cortex enhances depth perception
www.frontiersin.org
December 3, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Really interesting paper
"...effects of occipital cTBS on stereoscopic depth perception vary with the population tested. While occipital cTBS improves stereoacuity in amblyopic vision through yet unknown mechanisms, it is apparently not effective in healthy vision. Why might this be?..."
"...effects of occipital cTBS on stereoscopic depth perception vary with the population tested. While occipital cTBS improves stereoacuity in amblyopic vision through yet unknown mechanisms, it is apparently not effective in healthy vision. Why might this be?..."