EP. 01 - Immersive Expeditions: Redefining Location-Based VR Entertainment

We are proud to present the first episode of Creative.Tech Chat, a new podcast series dedicated to exploring the intersections of culture, design, and emerging technologies. This first session highlights the rapidly expanding Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) sector, with a focus on how groundbreaking collaborations between industry and academia are shaping the future of immersive experiences.

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Presentation by Excurio

The program opens with Fabien Barati and Jules Rimbaud of Excurio, the pioneering XR studio behind Horizon of Khufu. Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s most influential immersive archaeological VR projects, Horizon of Khufu blends academic rigor with commercial impact, setting a global benchmark for Location-Based VR (LBVR). Fabien and Jules will share the origins of Immersive Expeditions and introduce their initiative to open the platform—structuring the LBVR ecosystem while empowering a new generation of creators.

Presentation by Huaqing Huang

Next, Professor Huaqing Huang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who is also the co-founder of DioNexus and the creator of LBVR projects in Shanghai and Jingdezhen, will share his thoughts on how to define and create LBVR projects, especially how LBVR projects will enhance our understanding of important heritage sites and their social history. As one of the earliest players in China, he will also provide a critical perspective on the evolving Chinese market for location-based VR experiences.

Roundtable Discussion

The event concludes with a roundtable featuring Professor Peter Der Manuelian (Professor of Egyptology at Harvard University) and Yitong Liu (Content Producer at PICO XR). Together, they will enrich the dialogue by raising questions on technical pipelines, market strategies, and the broader value of interdisciplinary collaboration in pushing the boundaries of immersive entertainment.