The future of immersive tech isn’t just about cool experiences and straight-up scifi hardware; it’s about who controls the data, how we shape digital worlds, and what kind of future we’re building. XR isn’t just play…it’s power. And to quote the great Stan Lee, “with great power comes with great responsibility.”
This month’s newsletter is packed with big moves in XR ethics, ways to get involved, and why you should care.
GDC 2025 Kicks Off This Week
At GDC 2025, RP1 hosted the Spatial XR Mixer at Emporium Arcade Bar. The event was a who’s who of XR, with reps from Sony, Meta, HTC, and our very own XR Guild in the mix. Networking levels were off the charts, and at a venue reminiscent of the set of Hackers the movie.
XR Guild @ SXSW
SXSW’s XR Experience Exhibition brought 31 mind-bending immersive projects—15 competing, 16 spotlighted, all pushing the limits of virtual and physical installations. Want the inside scoop? Voices of VR’s Kent Bye breaks it all down with SXSW’s Blake Kammerdiener in Podcast #1529. 🎧Listen here.
Brittan Heller on Why XR Ethics
When Brittan Heller took the stage at Northeastern’s XR & Games Symposium in February, she didn’t just drop knowledge, she shook the room.
The Big Question: What happens when your headset knows more about you than you do?
Researchers have already shown that with just head and hand movements, AI can predict your age, gender, and even medical history. That’s not sci-fi—it’s happening right now.
Brittan laid it out: XR isn’t just about what we see—it’s about what sees us. The digital footprints we leave in immersive spaces aren’t just data—they’re deeply personal insights. So, who controls that? And what’s being done to protect it?
Takeaway: If you think privacy is complicated now, just wait until spatial computing makes your body part of the login screen.
Follow Brittan on Linkedin.
XR Guild in the Big Apple
XR is blowing up in NYC. The MIT Reality Hack demo night, hosted by Aysu Unal and the XR Guild NYC crew, wasn’t just a showcase—it was a masterclass in how immersive tech can reshape everything.
Demo Highlights: Dario Laverde’s cross-platform tech stole the show, letting Vision Pro and Android headsets exist in the same virtual space—a big win for “HCI should work for everyone.” Meanwhile, Marcel Bornstein’s Wasteless puts players in a Job Simulator-style experience, confronting them with the real impact of their water choices.
Healing Hero – VR that helps you process trauma. Healing Heroes is an immersive cross-platform game where the Apple Vision Pro user plays as a patient, while iPhone users act as rescuers. The gameplay focuses on performing CPR rhythms, teaching timing and coordination in an engaging, real-time experience.
Why It Matters: Innovation isn’t just about what we build—it’s about how we build it. The NYC event proved that XR isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a tool for education, safety, and social change.
Want to be part of XR Guild’s next NYC event? Hit up Aysu and the NYC team, and get involved here.
AWE Ethical Value Awards (EVAs) Recognizing Leaders in XR Ethics
The AWE 2025 Ethical Value Awards (EVAs) are happening this June in Long Beach, and we’re highlighting the people and projects pushing ethics forward in XR.
Nominations open in April. If you know someone doing groundbreaking work in ethical XR, nominate them.
We’re also looking for corporate sponsors. If your company believes in building a responsible immersive future, this is your chance to put your money where your ethics are. Please contact David Gene Oh if you wish to sponsor this year’s event.
Avi’s Challenge: One person invites ONE other person → We double in size, just like fresh sourdough starter!
XR Guild is only as strong as the people in it. If you’re here, you already care about XR ethics—so why not bring in someone who should be here too?
🎯 Your mission:
Invite ONE person
Help them get plugged in
Shape the future of ethical XR
Do it!
What’s Next?
The Virtual Worlds Museum™ is archiving the history of virtual worlds, how cool is that? More news to come!
Want to contribute content for the next newsletter? Hit reply and let us know!
That’s a wrap for March. The XR revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here. The question is: What kind of world are we building, and will you be a part of history. Let’s make it one we’re proud of.
XR Guild March 2025 Newsletter authored by David Gene Oh