In this special midseason recap, co-hosts Don and Ben go guest-free to reflect on the evolution of the immersive tech landscape and forecast what's ahead for VR, AR, and AI-powered creation. They revisit highlights from earlier episodes featuring top creators like Emorgul, Arturo Perez (Kluge Interactive), and Jelitza Cintron—while connecting those conversations to major industry shifts happening right now.

Topics include:

🔮 The future of mixed reality (XR) and the pivot from VR headsets to mobile-first AR platforms

🤖 Generative AI in VR development: How tools like Meta’s AI-powered builders are reshaping game creation

🎮 Single-player vs. multiplayer in immersive games, including thoughts on the upcoming Deadpool VR release

🧠 XR for enterprise and business: Could 360° video and mixed-reality webinars find new life in B2B media?

🌱 Community-driven world-building: From Horizon Worlds hits like Plants & Bugs to collaborative storytelling

🎥 Content creation and platform culture: Why creators are gravitating toward Roblox, VRChat, Horizon, and beyond

🔥 Teasers for upcoming episodes with studios like New Canvas and reflections on standout moments from past guests

Whether you're a VR developer, immersive storyteller, AI enthusiast, or just curious about where spatial computing is heading, this episode is your pulse-check on the state of the industry in 2025.

📲 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes featuring cutting-edge creators, toolmakers, and platform innovators shaping the worlds beyond.

~~~Connect With Us!~~~

Don's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkianian/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkianian/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.dfk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dkianian

Website: https://dkianian.com/

Ben's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-veaner-7643a980/

Discord: https://bit.ly/HABITXR

Website: https://habitxr.net/

Yeet Yourself: https://horizon.meta.com/world/10162537277428570/

Pop & Drop: https://horizon.meta.com/world/700494979810910/

Bots!: https://horizon.meta.com/world/10163038930628570

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Don and Ben welcome Arturo Perez from Kluge Interactive, the acclaimed immersive game studio behind Synth Riders, Final Fury, and other hits spanning Apple Vision Pro, Oculus, PSVR, SteamVR, and more. Arturo dives deep into the philosophy and practical challenges of developing cross-platform VR games that are both genre-defining and widely accessible.

They explore the origins and evolution of Synth Riders, Kluge’s unique approach to carving out a niche in the crowded rhythm and fighting game genres, and how the team balances long-term player engagement with the desire to innovate. Arturo also shares lessons learned in adapting games across platforms, designing for different hardware constraints, and the growing importance of mobile-first and multiplayer-friendly VR experiences.

The episode also touches on the future of XR: ethical use of AI in game dev, trends in community-building, and the emerging divide between casual AR experiences and deeply immersive VR worlds.

Whether you're a VR developer, gamer, or just fascinated by the future of interactive entertainment, this episode is packed with insights from the front lines of immersive game design.

~~~Connect With Us!~~~

Don's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkianian/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkianian/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.dfk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dkianian

Website: https://dkianian.com/

Ben's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-veaner-7643a980/

Discord: https://bit.ly/HABITXR

Website: https://habitxr.net/

Arturo's Links

Kluge Interactive Website: https://klugeinteractive.com/

Kluge Games TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@klugegames

Synth Riders TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@synthridersvr

Final Fury TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@finalfuryvr

Chicken Tag: https://horizon.meta.com/world/659765143878855/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Don and Ben are joined by Eugene Morgulis—known in Horizon Worlds as Emorgul—a prolific creator recognized for his diverse, genre-spanning VR experiences and deep community engagement. Eugene discusses his creative journey on the platform, from building fantastical worlds to crafting more grounded, relatable experiences.

The conversation explores the evolution of creator tools in Horizon, including Meta’s new AI-powered mesh generation features, and how they’re reshaping workflows and accessibility for developers. Eugene shares his take on integrating AI into the creative process without losing the human spark, and where these tools fit into his “jack of all trades” approach to development.

They also dive into topics like mobile-friendliness, cognitive accessibility, world interactivity, and maintaining creative momentum. The episode wraps with a thoughtful discussion on building meaningful communities within virtual spaces and advice for new creators entering the world of Horizon.

Whether you’re a VR enthusiast, developer, or someone curious about the future of immersive experiences, this episode offers rich insights from one of Horizon’s standout voices.

~~~ Connect With Us! ~~~

Don's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkianian/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkianian/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.dfk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dkianian

Website: https://dkianian.com/

Ben's Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-veaner-7643a980/

Discord: https://bit.ly/HABITXR

Website: https://habitxr.net/

Eugene's Links

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emorgulis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmorgulis/

Discord: https://discord.gg/qm9F8w4rGA

Website: https://www.emorgul.com/worlds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.