| vTime XR | |
| Platform: | Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, iOS, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go |
| Released: | December, 2015 |
| Genre: | Social software |
vTime XR is a free-to-play virtual reality and augmented reality social network created by British virtual and augmented reality innovation company vTime Limited,[1] developed in Liverpool in the UK. Cross platform, the app allows groups of up to four users to "jump into VR or AR and talk in what is essentially a private chat room. Users can customize an avatar and select a 3D environment to host the chat inside".[2] Launching on Gear VR in December 2015, vTime was the first virtual reality social network on a mobile platform.[3] The app became the first social network to launch on Google Cardboard in March 2016,[4] [5] [6] and on Google Daydream in January 2017.[7] vTime was also the first virtual reality application to give its users the ability to socialise inside their own 360 images,[8] and was later a launch title for the Windows Mixed Reality platform in October 2017.[9]
In February 2019, vTime became the first cross reality (XR) social network after adding AR mode.[10] [11] The update gives users the ability to meet and chat with people in a shared virtual space using AR, VR, or 2D Magic Window mode.
"vTime likes to think of itself as a “sociable” network, rather than a social network, perhaps emphasising that these virtual social gatherings are essentially friendly and more genteel in nature than some of their counterparts".[12] The network focuses on facilitating shared conversations in virtual reality, though users without a VR headset are able to join sessions via 'Magic Window' mode on Android and iOS phones.[13] Cross platform, all user avatars support audio lip-syncing and avatar eye-tracking, and can use the network's library of virtual emojis 'vMotes' allowing "users to express themselves in numerous ways".[14] Users on high-end headsets can use platform controllers to add hand and body tracking to their sessions[15]
In April 2018, the vTime Limited announced that it had raised $7.6 million (£5.4 million) in a series A funding round to accelerate development of the app.[16]