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Altspace has also just introduced technology it calls FrontRow that promises to make it possible for thousands of people to watch a performer in VR, yet feel like they’re up close no matter where they’re physically situated.
The company’s first big FrontRow showcase was when comedian Reggie Watts took the virtual stage Thursday night. But when I repeatedly tried to attend the event, I kept getting a black screen instead. Well into Watts’ one-hour performance, I finally got in, as Altspace feverishly worked in real time to fix the bugs.
Nine other avatars were visible inside this "comedy club" environment, not counting the avatar for Watts himself. Alas, the problems persisted—choppy movement, lags, poor sound.
Reggie Watts performs in AltspaceVR. (Photo: AltspaceVR)
AltspaceVR’s CEO Eric Romo concedes that the experience was “mixed.” At peak there were more than 1200 attendees, exceeding company expectations, and about ten times as many people, Romo believes, who have ever gathered before for a single VR event. It was also something of an achievement that attendees could come at it from different VR vehicles.
But then there were all the many people like me who had a heck of a time getting in....
Lots of potential, but here's a virtual reality check.