{"id":2765,"date":"2017-02-27T09:05:42","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T16:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.taterboy.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/htc-unveils-viveport-arcade-software-to-power-virtual-reality-arcades\/"},"modified":"2017-02-27T09:05:42","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T16:05:42","slug":"htc-unveils-viveport-arcade-software-to-power-virtual-reality-arcades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taterboy.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/htc-unveils-viveport-arcade-software-to-power-virtual-reality-arcades\/","title":{"rendered":"HTC unveils Viveport Arcade software to power virtual reality arcades"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HTCpurchase<\/a> http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade-300×197.jpg 300w, buy information pills<\/a> http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade-768×504.jpg 768w, patient<\/a> http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade-800×525.jpg 800w, http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade-780×512.jpg 780w, http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade-930×611.jpg 930w, http:\/\/1u88jj3r4db2x4txp44yqfj1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/viveport-arcade.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px”><\/p>\n

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HTC<\/a> hopes to give virtual reality a boost with its new Viveport Arcade<\/a> software that makes it easier to run VR arcades.<\/p>\n

PC-based VR systems are pricey now, but VR arcades are popping up around the world to give people an idea of what a 360-degree experience is like.\u00a0HTC believes that adoption of VR is going to come just as much through engagement in these public\u00a0environments as in the home. Companies, such as theater chain IMAX, are putting VR in theater locations, as are operators like\u00a0Leke in China.<\/p>\n

The Viveport Arcade is HTC\u2019s proprietary content management and distribution platform for location-based entertainment, said Jenna Seiden,\u00a0head of content acquisition for Viveport, in an interview with GamesBeat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can track usage and playtime directly and share that with the operator,\u201d Seiden said. \u201cThe operators get a library of VR content that they can use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commercial arcade\u00a0operators can download the software to their venues, allowing them access to a library of legally acquired content, which\u00a0they can configure across their Vive stations via a centralized host client tool. Through the backend, HTC\u00a0accurately tracks usage and shares the revenue received from operators with the developers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe commercial operators are like traditional arcade owners or those with Internet cafes,\u201d Seiden said. \u201cThey can be chains like Dave & Busters and movie theaters that are using VR systems in their lobbies.\u201d<\/p>\n

HTC built the software to serve as a turnkey method for developers to distribute and monetize their\u00a0content to global physical locations like\u00a0arcades, Internet cafes, theaters, and shopping malls \u2014 and for\u00a0operators to have a complete system to surface great VR content to their customers. HTC takes the\u00a0burden off of both parties to identify, secure, and safely distribute the content and manage payments\u00a0through this centralized system.<\/p>\n

The VR arcade program was initially announced in November 2016, and it currently has more than 500 titles in its content library.<\/p>\n

Developers can opt in to the Viveport Arcade program with their games and experiences through the\u00a0main Viveport developer console<\/a>. HTC evaluates the titles per its content\u00a0submission guidelines and reviews them for optimal use in public venues.<\/p>\n

Developers may opt in\u00a0with the same build that is available to consumers for home use, but developers are encouraged\u00a0to submit a build only for commercial use.<\/p>\n

\"Viveport<\/p>\n

Above: Viveport Arcade software lets operators access lots of VR games.<\/p>\n

Image Credit: HTC<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Games are a top focus, but other\u00a0immersive experiences are becoming popular as the industry grows. The experiences that often\u00a0work in a home environment may be a perfect fit for certain commercial locations, but sometimes, a\u00a0more custom \u201carcade\u201d version works better. This may include different ways to approach tutorials,\u00a0gameplay sequences, and other features to get people into the experience faster and\u00a0optimize replayability.<\/p>\n

HTC is running 50 trials with 20 operators worldwide, and the Viveport Arcade platform will be available\u00a0globally in April.<\/p>\n

Operators will pay HTC for points, which equate to a certain amount of time. As the consumer plays\u00a0the Vive titles, points will be deducted from the operator\u2019s total point reserve. As an example, the rate\u00a0in the US is $10 for 1,000 points. Those 1,000 points give the operator a total of 60 minutes of playtime.<\/p>\n

If the operator purchases 10,000 points for $100, he or she has 10 hours (600 minutes) of total playtime.\u00a0If one title is played for 600 minutes, that one developer splits the $100 with HTC.<\/p>\n

HTC believes there will be 5,000 HTC Vive station locations in the next year, and the company believes VR arcades will generate $100 million in revenues in the next year. China already has more than 300 VR arcades, Seiden said. HTC has its own Viveland arcade in Taipei, and it uses it as a showroom to demo VR experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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