V2V: Host your own VR meeting

Summary

A variety of use cases have been identified for a novel form of an open source, shared VR space that would allow a user to host a session and invite others to join.

Brief overview of current state of V2V development

December 2020 Update

The application has been named V2V. Work has commenced and a project page set up here.

Overview

The essential idea is to offer Zoom / Skype style communication, but using VR instead of webcams and by connecting peer-to-peer instead of via centralised login servers. The intention is to offer a means of meeting and communicating in VR that behaves more like a 3D website browser with private peer-to-peer communication and less like an MMO. This decentralised, simplified approach provides users with the opportunity to produce near photorealistic graphics, greater creative freedom and enhanced privacy whilst reducing overall system complexity.

Unlike V2V, the various existing shared 3D environment / social VR platforms (VRChat, AltSpaceVR, Second Life, etc) are based on a centralised model that requires registration and logging in to third party servers. V2V also differs substantially from existing platforms in that it is intended only for providing smaller, epheremel, private meeting spaces.

Due to the focus of many existing platforms on in-application editing tools and other limiting factors, existing VR meeting places limit creative freedom and potential quality of graphics when creating or customising avatars, environments and other UGC.

By releasing the Unreal Engine project as open source it is intended that a community of developers and UGC creators will grow over time.

Intended Users Identified (so far)

~ Family and friends	~ Product designers and clients
~ Architects and clients	~ Teachers and students
~ NFT owners and creators	~ Therapists and clients