EP.104: Redefining Creation: Spatial’s Vision for an Accessible 3D Internet with Jacob Loewenstein
Nov 5, 2024
auto_awesome
Jacob Loewenstein, SVP of Business Development at Spatial and AR/VR investment leader at Samsung NEXT NY, discusses transforming the 3D internet. He shares insights on evolving Spatial from enterprise to user-driven content during the pandemic. Jacob highlights the significance of accessible game development and fostering generational engagement in virtual spaces. The conversation dives into democratizing virtual creation, the impacts of platforms like Roblox on younger users, and the future of immersive digital experiences across all devices.
Spatial's evolution from an enterprise-focused tool to a user-driven platform highlights the importance of accessibility in the 3D internet.
Advancements in AI are expected to democratize game development, allowing novice creators to produce interactive experiences without extensive coding knowledge.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Spatial
The conversation begins with Jacob reflecting on his journey with Spatial over the past several years, highlighting his initial focus on mobile augmented reality at Samsung Next. He discusses how he and the co-founders envisioned a future where wearable technology might replace traditional devices like phones and computers. This led to the development of a platform aimed at providing augmented reality collaboration tools, which was initially tailored for enterprise clients. Over time, the platform pivoted towards a more accessible model as user feedback during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the demand for immersive experiences to more affordable devices, thereby expanding its user base.
Navigating Market Shifts
The podcast delves into the challenges Spatial faced during the cryptocurrency boom and its eventual downturn, leading to a reconsideration of its focus between enterprise and consumer markets. Instead of getting caught up in NFT trends and decentralized assets, Spatial consciously chose not to pursue these routes due to uncertainties surrounding their long-term viability. This decision allowed the company to concentrate on user-generated content by developing a software development kit (SDK) on Unity, promoting accessibility for creators. With this pivot, Spatial became a platform for building and sharing immersive experiences, catering to both enterprise needs and consumer creativity.
The Current Landscape of Enterprise and Consumer Applications
Jacob emphasizes the potential for an enterprise metaverse as technology advances, citing trends in training and simulation as areas ripe for growth. He highlights how Spatial’s flexible structure allows companies to create customized training applications without being constrained by extensive IT hurdles. The podcast also discusses the intersection of gaming and enterprise, illustrating how immersive experiences can enhance engagement and productivity within a corporate framework. As the demand for interactive and gamified elements in training environments rises, Spatial's offerings position it strategically within this evolving market.
The Future of Immersive Experiences
Looking towards the future, the discussion focuses on how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can democratize game development, making it more accessible for a broader audience. Jacob suggests that advancements in AI tools could assist creators in overcoming the complexities of coding, thereby enhancing the production of interactive experiences. The idea is that future game developers won't need in-depth programming knowledge but can instead rely on conversational interfaces to bring their visions to life. This evolution could lead to a surge in creative output and a new generation of immersive experiences as barriers to entry continue to diminish.
Welcome to Into the Metaverse. In this week’s episode, Yon sits down with Jacob Loewenstein, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Spatial, to explore how Spatial is reshaping the 3D internet and user-generated content landscape.
Jacob takes us through his journey from early investments in AR/VR to leading Spatial’s evolution from an enterprise-focused tool to a user-driven platform for immersive 3D creation. Highlighting Spatial’s mission to bridge generational divides in the virtual world, Jacob discusses how Spatial enables creators and companies alike to design interactive spaces accessible across all devices—from VR headsets to web browsers.
Join the conversation as they delve into the unique challenges of building a cross-platform metaverse, the importance of democratizing virtual creation, and why a 3D internet accessible to all may be the key to future digital engagement.
Jacob Loewenstein is SVP, Business Development & Strategy at Spatial, an online gaming platform that brings the Roblox model to millions of Unity devs. He leads strategic partnerships, marketing, and developer relations. Jacob was previously Spatial’s investor at Samsung NEXT NY, where he led AR/VR investment and business development. He received his MBA from MIT, where he co-founded the VR/AR hackathon at the MIT Media Lab.