Winner 2023

Also nominated

INSIDE HPA
PATIENTZERO GAMES GMBH & HPA, HAMBURG

REVISAR: GROSSES. EINFACH. SICHTBAR. MACHEN
ENBW ENERGIE BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG AG, KARLSRUHE

COUP – COCKPIT FOR COLLABORATIVE URBAN PLANNING

PROFESSUR DIGITAL CITY SCIENCE DER HAFENCITY UNIVERSITÄT, HAMBURG

The COUP was developed as an interactive tool for group collaboration and decision-making in urban planning. It enables design experts to create in-depth analyses of design proposals in real-time using an AR table and the accompanying website. Both provide simulation modules such as wind, pedestrian movement, and more for various key functions in urban planning. New building configurations can be collaboratively created using physical objects and analyzed through simulations. In the web application, these configurations can be further examined. The COUP was designed as a planning module for architecture and urban planning firms, allowing them to engage in discussions using design objects and providing the opportunity to obtain simulation results in the early design phase. In the Master’s in Urban Planning program at HCU, the COUP is utilized in courses focused on problem-solving within projects.

VR GIANTS

RISA INTERACTIVE, GRAZ

In VR Giants, you and your fellow player assume the roles of Goliath, a giant controlled by the VR player, and David, a small character controlled by the screen player. Together, they must solve puzzles on their adventures through deserts, icebergs, lava caves, and meadows to ultimately save David’s lost sheep. The true magic of the game lies in the delicate balance of power between the small and large player. Goliath is tethered to an anchor, restricting his movement to a limited area. Due to his size, he can lift, manipulate, or throw heavy objects and is invincible. On the other hand, David can move freely but is vulnerable and requires assistance from Goliath to reach higher places. Only through effective communication and teamwork can the players successfully tackle the challenges presented in the game.

Also nominated

LEGACY OF TOMORROW
ARTIFICIAL ROME GMBH, BERLIN

FRANKENSTEIN’S LAST WILL
VICTOR STOCKER, HALLE (SAALE)

Also nominated

DEEPFAKE DETECTIVE
HOLONATIVE, KIEL

ERUM VR – ERFORSCHUNG VON RAUM UND MATERIE
MARKENFILM SPACE, HAMBURG

UYC – MY AR CREATURE WORKSHOP

SLANTED REALITIES, BERLIN

As part of the Ukrainian Youth Clubs initiative for displaced youth from Ukraine, the goal was to create a space for integration, learning, and connection. To achieve this, we developed a workshop format where young participants received hands-on tools for designing and implementing augmented reality content: After a brief introduction, participants sketched their own creatures on paper. They then modeled them in 3D, created individual textures, and designed unique animations. Additionally, personalized QR codes were printed on postcards to share and retain the AR experience permanently. The project combines education with new technology, introducing young individuals to an entirely new learning environment. It promotes creative expression, teamwork, and provides an interactive experience. The workshop empowers young people to become experience designers, inspiring them to actively shape their surroundings with new media.

FROM THE MAIN SQUARE

PEDRO HARRES – FILM UNIVERSITÄT BABELSBERG KONRAD WOLF, BERLIN

A compact illustration of social disruption. A civilization blossoms, with all its contradictions, only to become a danger to itself. Encircling a central square, a new town emerges in all its diversity. A crossroad of stories, buildings, hopes, and conflicts. Social ties and cultures take root. People nurture sympathy and care for their equals, but also animosity towards those who are different. It doesn’t take long for an „us versus them“ atmosphere to take over. „From The Main Square“ is an interactive VR experience that invites the viewer to witness the rise and fall of a divided society.

Also nominated

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? EVALUATION VON CINEMATIC VIRTUAL REALITY DURCH EYE TRACKING
JONAS HAPP, HAMBURG

PADDLING TO THE FUTURE
MARKO STOJKOVIC, MAINZ

Also nominated

PUPPET PLAY
UNECHTE SACHEN LUKAS HORT, HAMBURG

2SYNC: MIXED REALITY SDK & TECH DEMO HOUSE DEFENDER
2SYNC, POTSDAM

NEEDLE ENGINE – SEAMLESS 3D WEB EXPERIENCE

NEEDLE TOOLS GMBH – GEGRÜNDET VON FELIX HERBST & MARCEL WIESSLER, HALLE (SAALE)

We are expanding the web into the third dimension, setting new standards for designing, developing, and distributing immersive 3D web applications. Emerging media forms such as Virtual and Augmented Reality are transforming how people interact with the internet. Collaborative work, e-commerce, virtual worlds, and knowledge dissemination are shifting online. Our platform seamlessly integrates 3D content into modern development processes. We empower designers and developers to make content available online using familiar tools such as Unity, Blender, or Omniverse—from PCs and smartphones to high-tech glasses. Thanks to integrated functional modules and automatic optimization, Needle Engine ensures rapid and efficient workflows with maximum flexibility. The use of open standards allows us to create the 3D applications of tomorrow today—supporting new hardware like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 from day one.

META ALCHEMIA

GOVAR GMBH, MÜNCHEN

Imagine stepping into a portal that transports you back in time to ancient Egypt, where you find yourself standing in front of a huge false door, intricately carved with hieroglyphics and symbols of a long-forgotten era. Thanks to govar’s cutting-edge extended realities technology, this vision became a reality for visitors at REM Mannheim. The ability to physically walk through an ancient artifact is a testament to the power of technology in preserving and sharing our rich cultural heritage. The collaboration between Ugo Dossi, REM Mannheim and govar not only showcases the potential of extended realities but also highlights the importance of preserving historical artifacts in innovative ways. With govar’s technology, art lovers and history enthusiasts can now engage with artifacts on a whole new level. This immersive experience allows us to appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship, and symbolism of ancient cultures in ways previously unimaginable.

Also nominated

NON-VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES
TEAM NAME: 3M JUMP, BESTEHEND AUS: DAVID VATH, BENT NÜHLEN UND LUKAS HORT, HAMBURG

VR INSTALLATION „DAS IGUVERSUM MIT DEM IGUS:BIKE ERKUNDEN“
IGUS GMBH, KÖLN

Also nominated

CLIMATECHANGEVR
VIDEOREALITY, FRANKFURT AM MAIN

DARKENING
NOWHERE MEDIA, BERLIN

YOU DESTROY. WE CREATE

NOWHERE MEDIA, BERLIN

Witness how Ukrainian art and culture have become targets of the ongoing war, and meet the inspiring people on the frontlines protecting it. What happens when museums can no longer show their collections, instead need to hide them? What does it mean to be a street artist during war? What music do you make when your country is under attack? „You Destroy. We Create“ takes you on an immersive journey through Ukraine, where artists and professionals from the cultural sphere are protecting, rebuilding and creating art. Since the start of the war, civilian deaths have mounted to thousands and seven million have fled the country. Another casualty has been culture. According to UNESCO over 200 sites of cultural importance have been damaged. This timely journalistic piece uses a combination of 360°/180° stereo videos, drone footage, photogrammetry scans and CG animations to bring you an emotionally engaging, urgent human story.

DREAMING OF LEBANON

DPPA INNOVATION CELL, USA

“Dreaming of Lebanon” is virtual reality documentary that provides an immersive experience into the lives of young Lebanese people and their hopes for the future. The documentary utilizes cutting-edge 360-degree filming technology that enable viewers to engage in an interactive interview with three young Lebanese from various walks of life and different places of the country to explore their realities.

Also nominated

KABARET
LODDENLAND STUDIO, NORWAY

SORELLA’S STORY
SOUL VISION FILMS AUSTRALIA

DEEPFAKE DETECTIVE

HOLONATIVE, KIEL

AI image editing tools enable quick measurement and alteration of faces. The fact that our perception is technologically and artificially distorted poses a societal, political, and individual challenge. To raise awareness of this issue, a VR application was developed where students are trained as ‘Deepfake Detectives’ to identify anomalies in various video materials. The game is part of a comprehensive workshop where participants, through various techniques, learn about the influence of Deepfakes on our world, society, and the handling of altered or authentic content.

Also nominated

BODIES UNDER INFLUENCE
FERNANDA ORTIZ, HAMBURG

REVISAR: GROSSES. EINFACH. SICHTBAR. MACHEN
ENBW ENERGIE BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG AG, KARLSRUHE