Perth-based startup and 2021 Plus Eight accelerator graduate Ready Team One has expanded globally using a licensee model with the launch of their Virtual Reality entertainment system in Monza, Italy.
Founded in 2017 by Chris Cheng, Scott Whiteley and James Tang, the three friends shared a vision to harness the potential of full body virtual reality technology to pioneer next-generation location-based entertainment.
“We were shocked at the lack of entertainment options in Perth that made people get out of their chairs and into an adventure so we developed the first and only full body and finger tracking VR gaming system in Australia,” said Co-Founder James Tang.
They integrated state of the art hardware with their advanced programming to develop large-scale multiplayer free-roam immersive experiences in response to VR options stagnating at room-scale out-of-the-box setups.
“Our experiences are developed entirely in-house by our local team, showcasing Australian talent on a global stage.”
As a result, the startup has gone on to win a number of international awards, including XR Game of the Year 2020, WASCA Innovation In Game Design and MegaGrants Epic Games Award. They were also one of the six startups chosen last year to receive funding as part of the Spacecubed Plus Eight investment program.
Although the idea was conceived with the gaming industry in mind – which is worth more than the film and music industries combined – the technology can be applied across various sectors including mining, education, oil and gas, architecture and defence.
“Full body and finger tracking capabilities open an entirely new world for industry,” said Woodside’s Innovation and Engagement Manager Robert Affleck.
From safety and training modules to project visualisation, virtual reality has the potential for endless industrial applications.
The owner of NOCNTRL Virtual Arena (Ready Team One’s new licensee) Gianluca Di Santo praised the startup for pioneering the next generation of location-based social entertainment.
“Unlike existing tethered set-ups with limited tracking capability, their free-roam full body and finger tracking system offers complete immersion. You’re in the centre of the action fighting off zombie hoards, an alien invasion or battling it out in competitive team-based combat.”
Ready Team One is now actively looking to expand to the United States, with multiple expressions of interest from potential licensees.
