a16z Podcast The Challenge of Replicating Reality
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Feb 22, 2023 Steve Zhao, founder of Sandbox VR, shares his journey from skepticism to success in the full-body VR realm. He reveals the challenges of building his business during a pandemic and going through bankruptcy, all while creating immersive gaming experiences. Steve discusses innovative strategies that helped him pivot during tough times, the evolution of VR technology, and exciting partnerships like Squid Game. Don't miss his insights on how VR has transformed from escape rooms to social platforms, engaging users in unexpected ways.
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Parental Influence
- Steve Zhao's parents were entrepreneurs, starting small and growing steadily.
- This taught him that entrepreneurship takes time but can lead to big things.
Blue Tea Games
- In college, Steve Zhao founded Blue Tea Games, creating downloadable shareware games.
- He successfully funded his tuition through this venture, especially after the 2001 stock market crash impacted his family's savings.
Missing Mobile
- Blue Tea Games, though successful with PC games, struggled to adapt to the rising mobile gaming market.
- Steve Zhao's resistance to change led to the company's stagnation and eventual closure.