HTC’s Web-Based World Builder VIVERSE Crosses 1 Million Users

• VIVERSE has surpassed 1 million monthly active users on its browser-based immersive creation platform.
• HTC’s first global “Spark” hackathon featured WebXR projects from students at more than 40 universities worldwide.

HTC’s VIVERSE has crossed 1 million monthly active users, a notable milestone for the company’s immersive content platform. Built to run directly in a web browser, VIVERSE is gaining ground as a place where people can create, explore, and interact with 3D content online.

Part of HTC’s broader XR portfolio, VIVERSE offers tools for building and sharing 3D experiences that run in browsers on laptops, tablets, smartphones, and headsets. VIVERSE is part of HTC’s extended XR ecosystem, which also includes the VIVEPORT app store, enterprise offerings, and VIVE X, a $100M VR business accelerator. It’s designed for use by individuals, developers, and organizations building immersive content.

To highlight what’s possible on the platform, HTC launched its first global VIVERSE Spark hackathon, drawing students from more than 40 universities worldwide. Participants submitted immersive content across three categories: Immersive Storytelling, Games, and Social Experiences using various WebXR engines. Winners were from the University of Houston, the Academy of Art University, and the Royal College of Art.

“We're extremely honored to see such amazing, creative works built in VIVERSE, from the next generation of creators,” said Andranik Aslanyan, Head of Growth, HTC VIVERSE, in a press release. “We built VIVERSE as a springboard for imagination and creativity, to help people learn how to make immersive worlds and build a career out of it. To everyone who participated in this year’s hackathon, we couldn’t be prouder to show off your creations for the world to see.”

🌀 Tom’s Take:

A million users on a browser-based 3D platform signals people are interested in immersive experiences that are easy to access. Reducing the barrier to entry for both creation and engagement is a key ingredient for success here.

Source: Business Wire / HTC