Although 2022 has been a big year for the comeback of in-person events and festivals, digital experiences aren’t going anywhere — and who better to organize a virtual-reality based fan convention than Big Rock Creative, the team behind a super popular virtual Burning Man experience?
Big Rock Creative is partnering with content experience thought leader Partikle Digital and LA-based comic book shop Golden Apple Comics on the first fully virtual fan convention, FanConXR, taking place this weekend, on September 24th and 25th.
FanConXR will be “a celebration of the strong connection comics and pop culture fans feel toward the stories that move them, and the artists, writers and publishers who create and share those stories.”
Fans will be able to explore comics from publishers including Archie Comics, AfterShock Comics, BOOM Studios, Heavy Metal, Image Comics and Stranger Comics. The event will also include panels with talent from the comics industry moderated by Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Beat, Heidi MacDonald.
“We are thrilled to bring our community and world building expertise in VR to convention goers around the world, and are certain they will say they truly have never experienced anything like it!” commented Athena Demos and Doug Jacobsen of Big Rock Creative.
If the event is successful, it will likely become an annual occurrence, and it will be interesting to see what other types of events it might inspire. Many event organizers have shied away from full-blown virtual reality, but FanConXR will be an opportunity to test the waters and
Comic fans will be able to access the experience via Microsoft’s AltspaceVR on a VR headset or laptop, similar to Big Rock Creative’s Burning Man experience, although the headset will, of course, provide a more immersive and optimal experience. Event programming will also be streamed to FanConXR’s YouTube channel at various times throughout the weekend to accommodate as many fans around the world and in different time zones as possible.