February 9, 2018

The VR Market Matures – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends

Each year, different trends emerge from SXSW programming and act as identifiers for where we’re at and where we’re headed. From the 12 significant trends identified by the SXSW Programming Team for the 2018 event, The VR Market Matures explores a promising future for multiple industries through the growing presence of VR, AR, and MR. Get to know this trend and related-SXSW sessions below that we think will dominate discussions this March.

The VR Market Matures Trend

Virtual Reality first shook the tech industry with its ability to transport us to new worlds. But now, companies are looking beyond the spectacle of virtual spaces to improve the user’s sense of presence and interactivity. In turn, VR’s immersive nature has become the focal point of mainstream tech in the arts, medicine, business, and entertainment. Our 2018 speakers will be joining us to discuss how VR, AR, and MR will affect their respective trades, from revolutionizing news media consumption and the treatment of hospital patients to altering the experience of storytelling.

Hear from Jacqueline Bosnjak of Q Department & Mach1, Justin Denton of Here Be Dragons, and Tim Dillon of MPC Advertising, as they discuss the transition from virtual environments to overlays in The Next Phase of VR: Moving to MR. Discover how AR/MR technology can redefine our relationship with relevant news in the session Reality But Better: Augmenting the World with News, led by Google’s Erica Anderson, Jeremy Gilbert of The Washington Post, and more.

VR’s role in the medical field will be explored by Walter Greenleaf of Stanford University, Framestore’s Guillaume Raffi, and Mia Tramz of Time + LIFE VR in the session Designing VR Rx. Establishing a deeper connection between artist and audience through immersive storytelling will be explored in the session Setting the Visual Language of VR Storytelling, and and the next level of experiential fun is altering how we do entertainment in Full Body Immersive: The Future of Fun.

We’re a month away from SXSW 2018, but there’s still time to add these sessions to your 2018 SXSW Schedule. Until then, stay tuned for more programming announcements through March so you learn more about how VR, AR, and MR technology is becoming a mainstream tool for the world’s major industries.

The VR Market Matures Session Highlights

• The Next Phase of VR: Moving to MR
  
• Full Body Immersive: The Future of Fun
• Reality But Better: Augmenting the World with News
• Designing VR Rx
• Setting the Visual Language of VR Storytelling

<!–[if lte IE 8]>

<![endif]–> hbspt.cta.load(558236, ‘fa624deb-695d-4287-912b-3d53ae2cd965’, {});

Join Us for SXSW 2018

The SXSW Conference includes 24 programming tracks divided amongst Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence. Each March, some of the world’s most creative minds come together in Austin, Texas to discover, learn, network, brainstorm and collaborate.

Explore new opportunities during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and beyond from March 9-18 at SXSW 2018. Save big when you register to attend before Friday, February 9.

SXSW registrants get access to SXSW hotels at the lowest rates available by making reservations through SXSW Housing & Travel. Visit our availability page and then book your stay today to save.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

2017 SXSW VR Experience – Teaser Photo by Merrick Ales

The post The VR Market Matures – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 9, 2018

SouthBites Update: SouthBites Market Lineup and Quesoff Announcement

The sixth annual SouthBites® Trailer Park, rooted in celebration of Austin’s iconic food trailer culture, is right around the corner. Get ready for a great time full of food and fun, March 9-17.

In collaboration with Sprudge, SXSW is welcoming Roasters Village to SouthBites this year to highlight the growing tea and coffee industry on the weekend of March 10-12. Not only will you find your favorite roasted drinks at Southbites this year, but you’ll also discover some of the best rolling restaurants around. Exciting as this may sound, the icing on the cake and cherry on top for SouthBites this year are two new special events: SouthBites Market and Quesoff!

SouthBites Market

The SouthBites Market will run March 14-17 and offer thousands of SXSW attendees the opportunity to taste and purchase many different cuisines and items. The options at the SouthBites Market will be diverse and delicious from a wide range of different vendors that are sourced locally and globally. Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the confirmed vendors for this year:

• Suga’s Cakery
• Thunder Beast
• Raaka Chocolate
• BrainJuice
• Steel City Pops
• On the Rocks Gourmet Jams
• Woops! Bakeshop
• +More Southbites market exhibitors coming soon

Quesoff

SouthBites is thrilled to announce Washington State Wine presents Quesoff, a Hot Luck pop-up on March 13 this year during the trailer park, brought to you by Washington State Wine and Hot Luck. As much as Austin loves the warm, melted cheese phenomenon that is queso, it’s time that SXSW brings a one-of-a-kind “best of the best” edition of the classic Quesoff. Experience quality queso from the most iconic past competitors, plus a special appearance by Aaron Franklin. Who makes the best queso in Austin? You decide! Take a look at our Quesoff teams:

• Frank
• Austin Facial Hair Club
• Cheesus
• Willigan’s Island
• Franklin Barbecue
• JuiceLand
• Mixtli
• Emmer & Rye
• Valentinas Tex Mex

Get your taste buds ready for the SouthBites Trailer Park because SXSW is cooking up something special to share with you!

Photo by Jessica Alexander

The post SouthBites Update: SouthBites Market Lineup and Quesoff Announcement appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 9, 2018

Digital Disruption, Esports, and the Mixed Reality Fan Experience: Sports Track Sessions at SXSW 2018

The Sports Track is back for SXSW 2018 and finds itself in some new digs tackling the future of sport from a cultural and technological perspective. Explore how the sports industry has transformed and will continue to change with our session highlights below.

“Just a few years ago, the concept of esports raised eyebrows when it aired on ESPN 2,” says SXSW Programmer Meaghan Herrmann. “Since then it has gone mainstream, estimating half a billion in revenue and drawing the attention of some of our favorite NBA teams. Through strategic partnerships, esports and traditional sports organizations can unite forces to not only grow their own fan base but drive the future of the sports industry as a whole.”

Dive deeper into the increasingly popular world of esports and learn more about technology transforming the global sports industry as we highlight sessions that discuss data-driven fan engagement, the benefits of user-generated content, and virtual reality and augmented reality technology for both fans and athletes from March 9- March 11 during SXSW Convergence programming. SXSW Convergence programming features a range of topics that straddle the cultural and technological intersection at the heart of SXSW with primary access granted to all SXSW Badges.

Sports Session Highlights

The Connected Future of Sports and Esports

Speakers: Macy Mills (GameInfluencer), Kent Wakeford (KSV esports), Andrew Paradise (Skillz), and Alexander Lasry (Milwaukee Bucks)

By 2020, esports will reach $5 billion and have more fans than basketball. As esports grow toward competitive dominance, traditional sports organizations are throwing their hats in the ring – but how can both entities combine their efforts to grow the sports industry as a whole? Through discourse between NBA, Overwatch League, and mobile esports leaders, this session will explore how esports and traditional sports visionaries can unite forces to dictate the future of this powerful industry.

Add to Your Schedule

How to Create a Mixed Reality Fan Experience

Speakers: Jonathan Lowe (LA Kings / AEG Sports), Jay Kapoor (Madison Square Garden Ventures), David Feldman (NFL), and Ashley Crowder (VNTANA)

Fans want to be a part of the experience, which demands the latest in technology. Sports venues, teams, and partners are designing innovative in-game experiences to cater to this demand. Experts from NFL, AEG, MSG and leading AR brands will discuss new ways to interact with fans. They will guide attendees through situational cases including details on technology solutions that offer not only engagement but data. Additionally, they will discuss the benefits of user-generated content.

Add to Your Schedule

Beyond the Game: Data-Driven Fan Engagement

Speakers: Peter Heneghan (LADbible Group), Andrew Diggle (Manchester United Football Club), and Caroline Barker (BBC)

With over half of the world’s population identifying themselves as sports fans, clubs and teams are investing in new ways to engage with their fans 24/7. Data is enabling sports clubs and teams to provide relevant content to their fans across the globe, from VR to live streams. But how do sports teams cut through all the noise in a crowded market to interact with and develop their fan base? We’ll explore how data can be used to predict and meet the needs of the always-on fan.

Add to Your Schedule

The Death of Amateurism

Speakers: Kavitha Davidson (ESPN), Patrick Hruby (Vice), Ray Jackson (Rise Up Inc), and Andy Schwarz (Historical Basketball League)

A defining premise of the NCAA is that amateurism—that athletes are unpaid students—is an essential part of the appeal of college athletics. The upstart Historical Basketball League seeks to challenge that notion simply by paying players. Revenues generated by college sports are in the billions of dollars, shouldn’t the labor producing all that value be paid for it?

Add to Your Schedule

Browse All Sports Sessions

Crossover Track Recommendations

Looking to level up within the esports industry during your time at SXSW? Explore SXSW Gaming programming dedicated to esports. All SXSW Badges can access SXSW Gaming programming and events.

• The Rise of the New World Sports, Esports
  – Travis Gafford (Journalist), and Sam Mathews (Fnatic)
  Track: SXSW Gaming

• The Future of Statistics in Esports
  – Sabina Hemmi (Elo Entertainment)
  Track: SXSW Gaming

• Telling the Stories Behind Esports
  – Duncan McMonagle (Minute Media)
  Track: SXSW Gaming

<!–[if lte IE 8]>

<![endif]–> hbspt.cta.load(558236, ‘fa624deb-695d-4287-912b-3d53ae2cd965’, {});

Purchase your SXSW Badge and reserve your hotel today to experience these sessions along with 10 days of screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and more this March 9-18 in Austin, TX. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge will suit your needs.

Already have your badge? Learn how to upgrade to Platinum for primary access to all of SXSW and then begin building your 2018 SXSW Schedule.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

Teaser Photo by Jon Currie

The post Digital Disruption, Esports, and the Mixed Reality Fan Experience: Sports Track Sessions at SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film