Social VR Platforms of 2023
In today's digital world, spatial networking emerges as a new communication medium, reshaping how we connect and collaborate online. It goes beyond social media, incorporating elements of social presence and in-person characteristics.
These platforms offer a range of experiences, from team-building exercises to business meet-ups and imaginative explorations.
Social VR platforms go beyond entertainment, offering real value for internal teams and community events. These digital tools find practical applications in various use cases, and we'll explore some of these scenarios to showcase their benefits.
Co-research with John Williams.
Team Building & Collaboration
Social VR can enhance team cohesion by providing a virtual space for team-building activities. Teams can participate in challenges, games, or problem-solving scenarios, fostering collaboration and improving interpersonal relationships.
*credit: Glue Collaboration
Business Meetups & Conferences
Virtual meetings and conferences in social VR provide an interactive and engaging way to connect with colleagues or attendees from around the world. Participants can network, attend presentations, and collaborate on projects as if they were in the same physical space.
Training
& Onboarding
For businesses, VR offers an immersive training environment. New employees can explore virtual representations of their workplace, learn procedures, and practice tasks in a risk-free setting. Immersive simulations can also reduce onboarding time and costs.
Community Engagement
Social VR platforms can host community events, such as town hall meetings, art exhibitions, or support group gatherings.
They also offer unique opportunities for immersive brand experiences, enabling companies to engage with their audience in interactive ways.
*credit: NBA Lane in Horizon Worlds
Product Launches
& Demonstrations
Businesses can use social VR to launch products or showcase prototypes to a global audience. Participants can interact with the product, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback.
Cultural
& Art Events
Artists and cultural institutions can create virtual galleries, performances, and exhibitions, opening up their work to a broader audience. It allows for unique artistic experiences and cultural exchange.
Rec Room: Team Building Adventures
Best for: Teams looking to strengthen bonds and tackle challenges together.
Physically Engaging: Rec Room stands out as one of the most physically interactive platforms.
Cross-Platform: Players can join together from various devices such as mobiles, PCs, tablets, consoles, and VR headsets.
Games & Activities: From laser tag and old western shootouts to paintball, bowling, and dodgeball, Rec Room offers a rich selection of quests and sports to dive into.
Gifting & Interactive Edibles: Share clothes, accessories, and interactive snacks. Bite into crunchy apples, enjoy shared lattes, or play with flaming popcorn, adding a touch of engagement to virtual hangouts.
*credits: Rec Room
EngageVR: Learning & Collaboration
Best for: Educators, professionals, and businesses aiming for interactive virtual sessions.
Realistic Environments: EngageVR offers lifelike settings, enhancing the immersion and learning experience.
Collaborative Tools: From virtual whiteboards to group activities, the platform supports dynamic teamwork and interaction.
Calendar of Events: Users can join online workshops and seminars by entering an Event Code to access the venue.
Host Dashboard: EngageVR has a user-friendly dashboard for hosts to easily manage and change the virtual space.
*credits: EngageVR
FrameVR: Browser-Based Virtual Interactions
Best for: Those wanting quick and easy access to virtual spaces without downloads.
Direct Browser Access: Dive into virtual spaces directly from your web browser, no installations are needed.
No Account, No Problem: Frame lets users enter virtual spaces without creating an account, perfect for public events and newcomers to spatial experiences.
Collaborative Features: Tools like shared whiteboards and media playback make group activities engaging. You can also easily share your screen or show videos to others.
Private Spaces: Get a Basic frame for just $10/month for up to 8 people or upgrade to $50/month for a space that accommodates 50 people.
*credits: FrameVR
Horizon Workrooms: Virtual Workspaces
Best for: Businesses and professionals seeking an immersive and collaborative virtual office experience.
Flexible Capacity: Workrooms accommodate up to 16 VR participants. The virtual space enlarges automatically as more attendees join. With the Zoom integration, attendees can hop into Workrooms meetings without the need for a VR headset.
Persistent Whiteboard: Sketch, jot down ideas, or use sticky notes on a virtual whiteboard that retains its content for your next visit.
Adaptable Meeting Spaces: Depending on your needs, pick from various room templates and customize them with your own graphics, whether that be a presentation space, a round-table discussion setup, breakouts or a brainstorming corner.
Desktop Access in VR: With the Meta Quest Remote Desktop app, access and screen share any files from your computer while in VR. Additionally, images, videos, and PDFs can be uploaded via the Workrooms web app for shared viewing.
*credits: Horizon Workrooms
Virbela: Your Very Own Digital Campus
Best for: Organizations and professionals looking to host or attend conferences in a virtual reality setting.
Customizable Environments: Reflect your company's culture and branding by personalizing 3D spaces, from offices to design features.
Conference and Collaboration Spaces: Virbela offers large virtual halls with stages, breakout rooms, and networking areas. The platform also includes spaces like offices, classrooms, event venues, service desks, and chill zones for various needs.
User-Friendly Presentation Tools: Engage and collaborate using tools like slides, screen-sharing, laser pointers, sticky notes, and more.
Pricing Tiers for Virbela:
Team Suite: $350/month for 10 users; 12 offices, 1 boardroom, screen-sharing, support.
Private Campus: TBD/month for 150-1,000 users; custom spaces, logos, integrations.
Enterprise Campus: TBD/month for 1,000+ users; fully tailored; app-labeling.
*credits: Virbela
VRChat: Dive into Imaginative Worlds
Best for: Individuals and groups seeking a platform to explore, create, and socialize in diverse virtual worlds.
Limitless Exploration: VRChat features diverse user-made worlds, from calm landscapes to lively cities. Experience peaceful meditation or vibrant parties. Many worlds are Quest-compatible without needing a PC connection.
Personalized Avatars: Design a custom avatar to express your unique identity or choose one from an avatar world that resonates with you.
Social Interaction: Connect, join diverse communities, and participate in events like digital concerts or book clubs. With member-created Clubs, VRChat makes it easier to find your niche community.
Fly, Play, and More: VRChat is more than chats. Experience flying, immersive games, and activities that highlight VR's potential. Dive into a world showcasing VR at its best.
*credits: VRChat
RemioVR: Simplified Virtual Collaboration
Best for: Professionals and teams seeking for fun virtual work environments.
Dynamic Collaboration Spaces: RemioVR provides various templates for streaming, screen sharing, whiteboards, and presentations. You can choose from spaces like a gallery room, a cozy boardroom, or the Aurora Auditorium, each designed for specific needs.
Large-Scale Gatherings: While most VR platforms limit room capacities, RemioVR supports up to 120 people in a single room, making it perfect for larger companies, offsites, and town hall meetings.
Blend of Work and Play: RemioVR is unique in combining professional collaboration tools with fun activities like disc golf, hide-and-seek, paintball, and team puzzle races.
Accessible Beyond VR: Even without a VR headset or when on the move, RemioVR's web app lets you join in directly from a computer browser.
*credits: RemioVR
Horizon Worlds: Create, Meet, Explore & Play
Best for: Creators, adventure seekers and communities wanting to immerse themselves in diverse virtual realms.
Collaborative Creation: Horizon Worlds allows you to prototype and build virtual worlds alongside others, fostering teamwork and shared vision.
Asset Library & Interactive Scripting: Access a comprehensive library of assets to enhance and personalize your virtual creations. Introduce dynamic interactions within your worlds using the platform's scripting capabilities.
Diverse Avatars & SDK: Personalize with Meta avatars, adjusting everything from expressions to styles. The SDK boosts this customization, providing advanced features and integrations.
Engage & Navigate: Use party chat for group communications and portals to seamlessly transition between different virtual spaces.
*credits: Horizon Worlds
Mozilla Hubs: Open Source WebVR Platform
Best for: Enthusiasts who value customization and community-driven enhancements.
Customizable Spaces: Whether you're crafting your own virtual environment or selecting from community-created options, Hubs offers a canvas for your imagination.
Instant Access, No Downloads: Engage in real-time across devices with just a click, no software installations are required. Plus, Hubs places a premium on user privacy.
Many Use Cases: Hubs lets you have virtual meetings, classes, or workshops. It gives you special online places to work together and host remote events.
Pricing Tiers for Mozilla Hubs:
Starter: Free; 10 guests, 500 MB.
Personal: €7/month; 20 guests, 2 GB; logos & subdomains.
Professional: €79/month; 50 guests, 25 GB; includes custom domain & code.
*credits: Mozilla Hubs
Glue: Collaboration for Remote Teams
Best for: Remote Teams who want online meetings to be as great as face-to-face meetings.
Collaboration Tools: Team can efficiently present, brainstorm, co-create, annotate, take notes, and facilitate meetings.
Spatial Audio: Recreates the sensation that you are having a discussion with other people in a real space, with attenuation (audio volume falling off with distance) and proper directionality to the sounds and voices.
Custom Content: Custom 3D environment models can be used as templates for new virtual spaces. These templates are visible and available only to your team.
Cross-Platform: Glue Team Spaces can be accessed with various devices, including desktop and laptop workstations (PC and Mac), SteamVR, Quest 2 and 3, Meta Quest Pro.
Pricing Tiers for Glue:
Free up to 10 team members
50€ per month for unlimited Team Spaces
*credits: Glue Collaboration