Category: Past Events

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Studio X Student Showcase

Lightning talks on XR student research

Friday, April 28th from 2 to 4pm
Register: bit.ly/StudioXStudentShowcase

Studio X is proud to present a series of lightning talks and cutting-edge extended reality work and projects from students across the University.

of a person wearing a VR headset with overlaying text that reads, "4/28 @2pm Student Showcase."

Student presenters will share their experiences, insights, and the outcomes of their work. There will be time after the presentations for a Q&A session and demonstrations. Some of the demonstration to look forward to include Phobigone, a product that allows users to confront their fears in a safe virtual environment; Studio X: The Game, created by Karp Library Fellow Liam O’Leary; and Aurum VR, a virtual alchemical laboratory created in collaboration with the Robbins Library.

The event is open to all. Light refreshments will be provided. We hope you choose to join us for an afternoon of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration, as we celebrate the achievements of our talented students.

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Intro to XR

person in a VR headset with overlaying text that says, "Intro to XR"

AR? VR? MR? What now? Want to learn more about immersive technologies or extended reality (XR) but don’t know where to start? This workshop will demystify these technologies, explain their history, and demonstrate use cases across disciplines all while showing you the newest applications in a fun-hands-on experience for any level of expertise!

person in a VR headset with overlaying text that says, "Intro to XR"

Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digital world of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!

Instructor: Waleed Nadeem
Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
When: Wednesday, April 12th from 3:30 to 5pm
Register: bit.ly/Intro2XR412

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The Value of Life in the Metaverse

promotional graphic for reading group. shows a VR headset. Text reads, "The Value of Life in the Metaverse, Discussions of the Metaverse rooted in philosophical readings and supplemented with virtual experiences. Thursdays 5pm to 6pm."
promotional graphic for reading group. shows a VR headset. Text reads, "The Value of Life in the Metaverse, Discussions of the Metaverse rooted in philosophical readings and supplemented with virtual experiences. Thursdays 5pm to 6pm."

Dive into philosophical discussions surrounding the significance of life in the Metaverse on Thursdays from 5 – 6 PM beginning March 16th. With selected readings in Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy by David Chalmers, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, and Jorge Luis Borges’ Borges and I, attendees will discover what value we place on people and objects in digital spaces.

Register

Schedule

Week 1 (3/ 16): Introductions, Chalmers’ Reality+ –“Introduction,” and Plato’s Cave on VR

Week 2 (3/23): Plato’s Cave, Chapter 1 of Reality+, and Borges and I

Week 3 (3/30): Reality+ Chapters 17-18, and Part 5

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Metaverse Reading Group

illustration of a woman wearing a VR headset reading a book.

Join Studio X for a casual reading group this spring in which we will discuss the metaverse and try out virtual reality (VR) experiences together. We’ll be reading The Metaverse Handbook to gain familiarity with the concept. Funds have generously been made available through the Humanities Center to purchase books for participants.

The group will meet biweekly from 12 to 1pm on Fridays beginning February 3rd. If you are interested in joining the group, please fill out this short form.

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Beat Saber Battle 2022

promotional image for beat saber battle. Shows two light sabers intersecting.

Like dancing to fun music, light sabers, and virtual reality? We have the perfect competition for you! Compete against your peers, and if you dominate, you will be crowned as the beat saber champion. If you are the ultimate, numero uno, top dog Beat Saberer, you will win the fanciest of prizes. The kickoff will be during a Drop-In Friday event on Friday, November 11th at 1pm.

promotional image for Beat Saber battle. Shows two light sabers crossing.

Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
Kick Off: Friday, November 11 at at 1pm

But what’s Beat Saber, you say? Only the most popular VR game of all time! Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game in which you slash floating boxes as they fly toward you to the beat of the music with gigantic light sabers.

The Rules

  • Participants must be affiliated with the University of Rochester. Students, faculty, or staff are welcome to participate.
  • Participants must show a UR ID with the name under which they registered.
  • Participants must complete all three rounds and final battle to be eligible for prizes.
  • There will be two competition brackets (1. easy/normal level 2. hard, expert, expert+ level). Once a participant selects a bracket, they must stay in that bracket throughout the entire competition.
  • Once the participant chooses their bracket, they are welcome to select which level therein.
  • Participants must complete each round in Studio X.
  • Scores must be verified by a Studio X staff member.
  • Participants will get three attempts for each of the three rounds but not for the final battle.
  • Participants are not allowed to use score multipliers.
  • The songs will be chosen by Studio X staff and will be presented upon arrival for each round.
  • Once you have your score, you will be added to our scoreboard.
  • At the end of each round, a selection of the lowest scoring participants will be eliminated. This depends on how many participants we have.

The Structure

The competition is divided between two brackets:

BEGINNER

Players who are new to the game on the easy/normal levels.

Winning prize: Projector!

EXPERIENCED

Players who have experience with the game on the hard, expert, and expert+ levels.

Winning prize: Meta Quest 2 VR headset!

You can choose which bracket you would like to participate in.

The Schedule

Kick Off: Friday, 11/11 @1pm in Studio X
Round 1: Participants must complete this round by 11/18.
Round 2: Participants must complete this round by 11/22.
Round 3: Participants must complete this round by 12/2.
Final Showdown: Three finalists from each bracket will participate in final competition event on Friday, 12/9 @1pm.

Register!

promotional graphic for drop-in fridays at Studio X with geometric design. Reads "Drop-in Fridays. Fall 2022 series. Join us Fridays at 1pm for informal XR talks, tech demos, workshops, and more."

Drop by Studio X every Friday at 1pm for informal workshops, talks, demos, and more! View the full schedule.

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XR Game Night

promotional image for XR game night. Shows people in VR headsets.

Take a break from studying and unwind at XR Game Night at Studio X! The night will begin with a brief headset tutorial, and you can reserve the headsets after the event to keep playing later. We will have snacks, beats, and games to relax, have fun, and vibe!

promotional image for XR game night. Shows people in VR headsets.

Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digital world of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!

Instructor: Nefle Nesli Oruç
Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
When: Tuesday, December 6th @7:30pm
Register: libcal.lib.rochester.edu/event/9662693

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Make Your Own AR Mini Driving Game

illustration of a person using a cell phone that shows an augmented reality car.

Learn how to create your own AR mini driving game with Apple ARKit, a mobile platform that makes it easy to create all kinds of AR experiences. In this workshop, participants will use Reality Composer, a tool within ARKit, to create simple 3D models, add physics and behaviors, and deploy their creation on an iPhone or iPad.

Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digital world of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!

Note: In order to participate, you will need to complete the pre-workshop instructions, which will be sent by email prior to the event. Need assistance with this process? Ask for help on the Studio X Discord (Quick Questions Channel). 

Instructor: Hao Zeng
Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
When: Tuesday, November 15th from 6 to 7:30pm
Register: libcal.lib.rochester.edu/event/9662565

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Create Your Own Selfie Filters for Instagram

person holding a smart phone high in the air.

Ever wondered how the fun selfie filters on Instagram are created? It’s easier than you think!

Create your own custom effects with Spark AR Studio, a free AR tool. With this platform, you can incorporate images and 3D models, animation, interaction, and more into filters without knowing how to code. During this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of creating effects and how to publish them to Instagram. We’ll also provide some custom UR assets, so you can spread that Meliora spirit!

Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digital world of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!

Note: Attendees will need a Facebook account and to download Spark AR studio (Mac and PC) as well as the Spark AR app (iOS and Android) for testing ahead of time. Need assistance with this process? Ask for help on the Studio X Discord (Quick Questions Channel). 

Instructor: Mila Paymukhina
Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
When: Friday, 11/4/2022 @1PM
Register: libcal.lib.rochester.edu/event/9662190

promotional graphic for drop-in fridays at Studio X with geometric design. Reads "Drop-in Fridays. Fall 2022 series. Join us Fridays at 1pm for informal XR talks, tech demos, workshops, and more."

Drop by Studio X every Friday at 1pm for informal workshops, talks, demos, and more! View the full schedule.

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VR Games Pop-Up @iZone

promotional image for pop up at izone. Shows a polar bear in a vr headset.

Hang out with friends and play fun virtual reality games at a cozy Studio X pop-up at iZone! There will be donuts, cider, and swag up for grabs (warm Studio X beanies). 

promotional image for pop-up at iZone. Shows a polar bear wearing a VR headset.

Games will be playing…

  • Acron: Attack of the Squirrels
  • Beat Saber
  • First Steps
  • Epic Roller Coasters
  • Job Simulator
  • iB Cricket
  • Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR series

Where: iZone Forum
When: Thursday, 11/3 from 4 to 6pm

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Scare Fair 2022

Scare fair on old film

Do you love Halloween? Do you love VR? Yes?!!!?!! We have the perfect spooky afternoon planned for you…. if you dare. Stop by this Friday during Scare Fair to try the spookiest VR experiences.

Some options will include…

1. Beat Saber Spooky Beat

2. Haunted Halloween roller coaster

Promotional image for Scare Fair Shows Scare Fair text on burnt film

When: Friday, 10/28 from 1 to 4pm

Where: Studio X, Carlson Library, First Floor