The social media era is ending. We will look back at this era as a time when algorithms mixed with short-form human-based content bombarded us with media, obliterating the old media landscape. Who isn't glued to TikTok or YouTube shorts? While we still participate in the social media era, the virtual era is coming on like a bat out of hell, on steroids.

With this enormous tsunami of a new industry revealing itself, the effects of these technologies are profound. Over three years of being deeply immersed in building technology and producing events in mixed reality, the following conclusions have emerged:

In this new world, humanity and community will flourish like never before. These technologies will enable us to form deeper connections, break down geographical barriers, and create meaningful experiences that bring us closer together.

On a pre-COVID trip to participate in an ​accelerator program in LA, the sheer ​size of the city and the feeling of being ​disconnected from the culture made for ​a lonely experience. Despite weeks of ​work, the need to connect with like-​minded music enthusiasts arose.

However, in a city of 20 million people, ​it proved to be a challenging task to ​find them.

Fortunately, Rich Medina, known for ​playing Afrobeat and Neo Soul, was in ​town, so I decided to attend his event. ​As expected, navigating through one of ​the world's biggest cities, I eventually ​found around 80 people who shared ​my culture and way of being

Virtual worlds enable people to come together in ways similar to the physical world. The same constraints occur, such as the capacity of a live music venue. Just as a physical venue requires a bouncer, a host, bar staff, and sound technicians, hosting people in the virtual world is also an undertaking that requires investment.

Same Same is in the Virtual world. Hosting people in an undertaking, one has to invest in a virtual world just like one does in a physical world.

Unlike the physical world, one does not have to travel to LA to see Rich Medina. Finding like-minded people in an LA venue was amazing, but imagine now meeting like-minded people from all over the world.

Presence

Intimacy

Engagement

When we started Soda Studio, our aim was to understand how we could make people feel presence in the venue even if they were abroad. After hundreds of events and thousands of engaged participants, we have compiled the P.I.E style as a way to engage people in the Virtual World

To create a successful virtual world event, it is crucial to ensure that participants feel a sense of presence or being present at the event. Similar to a real-world event, arriving alone and not knowing anyone can feel awkward. This feeling of presence comes from being committed to the event, being with contemporaries, and being conscious of the interactions and potential connections

Intimacy is like sitting with another person around a table, where they reveal personal experiences or insights. These human connections and shared vulnerabilities are what foster deep bonds. Ensuring there is a chance for intimacy in virtual events is essential for success. Creating spaces that encourage open conversations, authentic interactions, and opportunities for participants to connect on a personal level can cultivate a sense of intimacy, even in a virtual setting.

Engaging users is the key to the last ingredient. In the real world, individuals go to the bar for a drink, visit a photo booth, or explore stands for more information. These engagement points enhance the overall experience. The same applies to virtual worlds, where creating opportunities for active engagement is crucial.