Virtuality: Difference between revisions
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{{see also|Companies}} | {{see also|Companies}} | ||
'''Virtuality Group plc''' (originally founded as '''W Industries''') was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] company based in Leicester, England, that developed and commercially produced some of the world's first VR arcade machines and entertainment systems in the early 1990s. Founded by Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern in 1987, Virtuality became one of the most influential companies in the first wave of virtual reality technology, creating immersive gaming platforms and innovative VR hardware solutions for both entertainment and professional applications. | '''Virtuality Group plc''' (originally founded as '''W Industries''') was a pioneering [[virtual reality]] [[company]] based in Leicester, England, that developed and commercially produced some of the world's first VR arcade machines and entertainment systems in the early 1990s. Founded by Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern in 1987, Virtuality became one of the most influential companies in the first wave of virtual reality technology, creating immersive gaming platforms and innovative VR hardware solutions for both entertainment and professional applications. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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=== Public flotation and partnerships (1993-1995) === | === Public flotation and partnerships (1993-1995) === | ||
In 1993, W Industries officially changed its name to Virtuality Group plc to align with its product branding and prepared for a public stock offering. | In 1993, W Industries officially changed its name to Virtuality Group plc to align with its product branding and prepared for a public stock offering. In November 1993, Virtuality successfully went public on the London Stock Exchange, with shares starting at 170p and reaching 315p on the first day, valuing the company at £75m. Waldern, retaining a 10.4% stake, was worth over £7m, and the flotation brought in £12.6m, with Waldern selling part of his holding for £750,000.<ref name="independent39">The Independent, "Dr Waldern's Dream Machines", November 28, 1993. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-hunter-davies-interview-dr-walderns-dream-machines-arcade-thrills-for-spotty-youths-today-but-revolutionary-tools-for-surgeons-and-architects-tomorrow-says-the-pioneer-of-virtual-reality-1506176.html</ref> | ||
In January 1995, the company expanded its executive team, bringing in Dennis Ohryn as Deputy Executive Chairman and Ray Ticer as Finance Director, together bringing over 50 years of experience from technology companies such as Prime Computers, Sun Microsystems, and Apple.<ref name="vrs11">Virtual-Reality-Shop, "The History of VR – Part 14: The Beginning of the End, of the Beginning", December 7, 2021. https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/the-complete-history-of-vr-part-14/</ref> | In January 1995, the company expanded its executive team, bringing in Dennis Ohryn as Deputy Executive Chairman and Ray Ticer as Finance Director, together bringing over 50 years of experience from technology companies such as Prime Computers, Sun Microsystems, and Apple.<ref name="vrs11">Virtual-Reality-Shop, "The History of VR – Part 14: The Beginning of the End, of the Beginning", December 7, 2021. https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/the-complete-history-of-vr-part-14/</ref> | ||
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While the company ultimately failed as a business venture, Virtuality demonstrated the potential for immersive virtual experiences and multiplayer virtual environments. Many of the concepts introduced in Virtuality's systems, such as 6DoF tracking, motion controllers, and networked multiplayer VR, remain central to modern VR technology. | While the company ultimately failed as a business venture, Virtuality demonstrated the potential for immersive virtual experiences and multiplayer virtual environments. Many of the concepts introduced in Virtuality's systems, such as 6DoF tracking, motion controllers, and networked multiplayer VR, remain central to modern VR technology. | ||
At its peak, the company operated over 1,200 arcade machines worldwide, primarily in the United States and Japan, significantly outperforming its nearest competitor, which sold only 25 units.<ref name="independent51">The Independent, "Dr Waldern's Dream Machines", November 28, 1993. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-hunter-davies-interview-dr-walderns-dream-machines-arcade-thrills-for-spotty-youths-today-but-revolutionary-tools-for-surgeons-and-architects-tomorrow-says-the-pioneer-of-virtual-reality-1506176.html</ref> These systems demonstrated many core | At its peak, the company operated over 1,200 arcade machines worldwide, primarily in the United States and Japan, significantly outperforming its nearest competitor, which sold only 25 units.<ref name="independent51">The Independent, "Dr Waldern's Dream Machines", November 28, 1993. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-hunter-davies-interview-dr-walderns-dream-machines-arcade-thrills-for-spotty-youths-today-but-revolutionary-tools-for-surgeons-and-architects-tomorrow-says-the-pioneer-of-virtual-reality-1506176.html</ref> These systems demonstrated many core principles: head-tracked stereoscopy, networked multiplayer, and 6-DOF interaction that underpin modern VR arcades and consumer headsets.<ref name="vrs52">Virtual Reality Society, "Virtuality – A New Reality of Promise, Two Decades Too Soon", April 17, 2018. https://www.vrs.org.uk/dr-jonathan-walden-virtuality-new-reality-promise-two-decades-soon/</ref> | ||
Today, the legacy of Virtuality is preserved by enthusiasts and museums, including the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester, which displays and maintains working Virtuality machines. VirtuosityTech, the current owner of the arcade machine assets, has announced plans to port classic Virtuality games to modern VR platforms, allowing a new generation to experience these pioneering virtual reality titles.<ref name="roadtovr33b">Road to VR, "Official Virtuality '90s Game Ports Could Be Landing on Modern VR Headsets Soon", August 18, 2020. https://www.roadtovr.com/dactyl-nightmare-2-virtuality-port/</ref> | Today, the legacy of Virtuality is preserved by enthusiasts and museums, including the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester, which displays and maintains working Virtuality machines. VirtuosityTech, the current owner of the arcade machine assets, has announced plans to port classic Virtuality games to modern VR platforms, allowing a new generation to experience these pioneering virtual reality titles.<ref name="roadtovr33b">Road to VR, "Official Virtuality '90s Game Ports Could Be Landing on Modern VR Headsets Soon", August 18, 2020. https://www.roadtovr.com/dactyl-nightmare-2-virtuality-port/</ref> | ||
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<ref name="virtuositytech8">VirtuosityTech, "About Us". https://virtuositytech.com/index.php/about-us</ref> | <ref name="virtuositytech8">VirtuosityTech, "About Us". https://virtuositytech.com/index.php/about-us</ref> | ||
<ref name="wiki9">Wikipedia, "Virtuality (product)", March 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuality_(product)</ref> | <ref name="wiki9">Wikipedia, "Virtuality (product)", March 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuality_(product)</ref> | ||
<ref name="vrs11">Virtual-Reality-Shop, "The History of VR – Part 14: The Beginning of the End, of the Beginning", December 7, 2021. https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/the-complete-history-of-vr-part-14/</ref> | <ref name="vrs11">Virtual-Reality-Shop, "The History of VR – Part 14: The Beginning of the End, of the Beginning", December 7, 2021. https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/the-complete-history-of-vr-part-14/</ref> | ||
<ref name="virtuositytech12">VirtuosityTech, "About Us". https://virtuositytech.com/index.php/about-us</ref> | <ref name="virtuositytech12">VirtuosityTech, "About Us". https://virtuositytech.com/index.php/about-us</ref> | ||