AR shooter, but different

Posted on 18/02/2023 by Sander Veenhof

In a classic “AR shooter” it is frustrating if you get hit by an ultra fast bullet that you didn’t see coming in, for whatever FOV or tech reason. But it is also frustrating if your target can just run away avoiding to be hit by a slow bullet.

So I’m trying something different. In the “Distant Hand” multi-user AR game you can keep controlling the hand that’s on its way to crash onto the HUD of your opponent.

And if you get hit? No worries, no need to run away. You can keep on playing for as long as you think you can still see your opponent. A game with a subjective end.

Give it a try with a Snapchat friend nearby (or elsewhere) by scanning the Snapcode in this clip. Have fun!

AR duo outfit

Posted on 09/05/2022 by Sander Veenhof

What’s going to be the main challenge for #digitalfashion? Mimicking physical fabrics in the most realistic way? Replacing some aspects of the current fashion production cycle in an environmentally friendly way?

Or will it be about exploring a new freedom, working with virtual materials and creating things that are not possible (or comfortable) in the ‘real’ world?

I’m in favour of the latter. Here’s a piece of virtual garment you don’t want to wear for real. But in #AR you can! This stretchy “duo outfit” changes its color from blue to red when you’re getting closer together. Anyone, except Mia and Vincent?

Gaat het bij digitale mode om het zo realistisch mogelijk imiteren van fysieke kleding en materialen?

Of geeft AR 'kleding' ook de (bewegings)vrijheid om wat nieuws te proberen?

(Zoals bijvoorbeeld een "duo outfit" die van blauw naar rood kleurt als je dichter bij elkaar komt) pic.twitter.com/T0VLl6Lyiv

— Sander Veenhof (@sander) May 9, 2022

New skills

Posted on 15/03/2022 by Sander Veenhof

Are we going to be wearing the AR glasses the tech industry is now getting ready for us? Then we’d better get involved in creating our own use-cases instead of the boring future scenarios Big Tech envisions for us, because the impact of these devices on our life will be huge. Wearing AR glasses not only means your environment will get an upgrade, people wearing AR glasses will also be upgraded. For example, with new skills that will make someone the fastest graffiti writer in the world.

When creating AR experiences, I’m not just trying to replicate existing practices we know from the physical world, and then recreating them virtually. Instead of being just a (lesser) substitute, I’m trying to find ways to let AR be an improvement by using the new opportunities and the freedom the technology provides.

But finding the right balance is important too. There’s no limit to what digital technology can do, but when working in mixed reality it’s important to let the non-technical aspects play a significant role too. Yes, creating graffiti using this AR effect will be a piece of cake, requiring just a snap of the finger. But controlling the digital universe with the right physical gesture will still be quite a challenge.