By Trent Clews-de Castella
Co-founder & CEO at Phoria
Digital interactivity is undergoing a metamorphosis, sculpting an era where the virtual and physical worlds are seamlessly blended. The epicentre of this evolution lies in the metaverse, which is creating new dimensions of connectivity among people, places, and cultures. PHORIA is at the forefront of this exciting frontier, embarking on pioneering ventures that transcend the traditional boundaries of immersive media and spatial computing.
One standout project is the upcoming release of Julaymba, the next episode in our ecosphere series. Over the past year, the team has blended Mixed Reality (MR) with transmedia storytelling to take audiences on a captivating journey through the Daintree rainforest, navigating the rich tapestry of culture and natural beauty. At the heart of this expedition lies a deep-rooted connection between the Eastern Kuku Yalanji (EKY) elders of “Julaymba” (Daintree) and their connection to “Madja” (The Rainforest or Boss). It's a transformative story that reveals the deep link between nature, First Nations storytelling, and Indigenous lore.
Julaymba offers more than just a visual spectacle; it provides a complete and immersive experience that engages, educates, and inspires. Through Mixed Reality, viewers can explore the lush rainforest, interact with ancient Gondwanan trees, and immerse themselves in cascading waterfalls while following a captivating story narrated by EKY elder Richard Burchill. This project demonstrates how Mixed Reality, or MR, extends beyond the virtual world into the tangible physical realm.
From a technical perspective, Julaymba is an impressive feat, incorporating a robust Mixed Reality update to ecosphere. This update introduces new interaction systems, high-resolution content streaming, and a variety of media formats. The 30-minute production seamlessly combines elements such as 2D video, stereo 180 VR live-action, rendered CGI 360 scenes, and interactive 3D scenes with VFX. Together, these elements usher in a new era of content creation that is not only rich but also highly interactive.
The PHORIA team has also recently expanded its immersive technological capabilities to partners such as Jabalbina, the Yalanji Land Trust and Cultural Heritage Body working in the region, by providing reality capture and 3D mapping training to their rangers. This training enables elders to access sacred sites through WebXR and promotes tourism sites both online and through immersive experiences like Julaymba.
PHORIA is going beyond technical innovation, we’re aiming for a future filled with immersive experiences that connect us with nature. This is why our competent teams are not only specialised in Extended Reality (XR) and Digital Twins, they’re also passionate storytellers working to create experiences that resonate on a profound level with audiences.
The metaverse is opening new opportunities for studios like PHORIA. It invites exploration, meaningful storytelling, community building, and a renewed bond with nature. Through projects like JULAYMBA, we can create content that doesn't just engage; it ignites positive change, shaping thoughts, and nurturing a regenerative future.