AUSTRALIA'S FIRST 'LIVE' 3D VIRTUAL REALITY STREAMING PLATFORM LAUNCHES

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Born from a desire to help others during the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia’s first ‘live’ 3D virtual reality (VR) streaming platform, Inverse, has been launched to enable music fans remote access to ‘live’ gigs and performances, with broader applications set to benefit Australia’s aged care and mental health care sectors.

Through Inverse’s cutting-edge technology, users of the streaming platform can tune into a ‘live’ event and experience it in 360 degrees via tablet or 3D VR headset for a fully simulated front-row ticket experience. Inverse also enables audience members to craft customised characters, also known as ‘avatars’, so they can socialise and connect with their friends during performances, creating entirely new immersive experiences, creating a sense of community and socialisation for users.

Melbournian and Founder, Darren Vukasinovic, says Inverse was invented for lovers of ‘live’ music in response to the physical limitations of Covid-19, but sees much broader applications for the ‘live’ VR streaming platform to support better mental health.

“With physical number restrictions at venues right around the nation, we wanted to create a new virtual channel, that would not only mitigate risks of Covid-19 but help artists stay connected with their audiences virtually and open up a new VR experience economy for the music, performance art and events industry.  

“Inverse is also for those who are more permanently restricted, for instance hospital patients or residents within Australia’s Aged Care system, who are physically, mentally, and logistically challenged to attend ‘live’ events, but would greatly benefit from the uplifting experience,” explained Vukasinovic.

According to the National Ageing Research Institute, in 2009 it was understood that rates of depression among people living in residential aged-care were at around 35 per cent,1 however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it is understood that the rates may be much higher today. 

“It’s widely known the mental and emotional healing power of music and ‘live’ music has an even more profound impact on one’s feelings of health, happiness, and wellbeing. Through Inverse’s ‘live’ 3D VR streaming platform, aged care providers and facilities have the opportunity to offer their residents an enriching experience that has an immediate impact in enhancing mental health, reducing feelings of isolation, and will transcend their physical limitations,” concluded Vukasinovic.  

As part of launch, Inverse, in partnership with Melba Opera Trust, have been working on a specially curated immersive VR opera recital, featuring Melba Opera Trust alumni Stacey Alleaume, Nathan Lay, Michael Petruccelli, internationally renowned pianist Amir Farid and hosted by Mairi Nicholson.

Amy Black, CEO of Melbourne Opera Trust, who previewed the performance in a VR headset, shared: “I was experiencing a world class opera performance from the comfort of my own home – and yet I felt as though I had front row seats.  Being able to follow the artists around the room gave a totally fresh perspective of an operatic performance and, of course, the artistry and sound were superb. After the challenging year we have all endured, it was inspiring to feel as though I was once again in a room with live performance,” concluded Black.  

The operatic event will be live streamed in December in Virtual Reality via the soon to be released Inverse app (on Oculus), along with a free-to-watch 360-degree Youtube live feed available on desktop and mobile.

For further information on Inverse please visit: www.inverse.live  

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About Inverse

Inverse is Australia’s-first ever ‘live’ 3D virtual reality (VR) streaming platform, created to connect fans, families, friends and communities with the enriching experience of ‘live’ performance art and music, remotely. Through its fully immersive 3D VR streaming technology, Inverse enables musicians, performing artists, venues and event organisers to open-up a whole new VR experience economy for the ever-evolving digital age, whilst staying connected with those audiences who may be unable to physically attend ‘live’. Born amid the adversity of Covid-19, Inverse is independently owned and was founded by Darren Vukasinovic, CEO of Melbourne-based extended reality (XR) technology start-up, Ignition Immersive. For more information please visit: https://inverse.live  

For all images, profiles & operatic video footage: https://bit.ly/2Vd5fj3  

References:

1 - National Ageing Research Institute. (2009). beyondblue depression in older age: a scoping study. Final Report. Melbourne: National Ageing Research Institute.