From Gaming and Meditation to Language Learning... SK Telecom Expands the Virtual Reality Market Scope

[Asia Economy Reporter Joeslgina] SK Telecom has teamed up with venture game companies, medical institutions, and video production firms to expand the virtual reality (VR) market. New attempts are underway, ranging from VR games featuring protagonists from Nexon's hit games such as 'KartRider,' 'Crazy Arcade,' and 'Bubble Fighter,' to medical video production for healing and VR-based educational content.

On the 13th, SK Telecom announced that it will begin beta testing of 'Crazy World VR,' featuring Nexon's popular characters 'Dao' and 'Bazzi,' in collaboration with VR venture game company Pixelity Games.

'Crazy World VR' adopts a tripartite cooperative development model where game company Nexon provides the IP (intellectual property) of famous game characters, and SK Telecom and venture game company Pixelity Games jointly invest and develop the game. It is characterized by enabling about 50 people to interact in real-time without delay in the same space. During the beta test period, users can experience four mini-games including shooting, archery, tennis, and bowling, as well as various other content in advance.

Users of the HMD device 'Oculus Go' can download the 'Crazy World VR application' from the Oculus Store and participate in the beta test immediately without a separate membership registration process. The beta test period is from February 13 to April 9.

In addition, SK Telecom has jointly produced 12 healing meditation VR programs aimed at reducing stress for office workers in their 30s and 40s with Yongin Severance Hospital, and plans to upload them to SK Telecom's 'Jump VR.' When wearing the HMD device, users are guided to meditate comfortably with natural scenery unfolding before their eyes, soothing background music, and voice actor's narration. Under the title 'Mind Walk,' there are 12 programs in total, divided into four themes: ▲Practicing Stabilization ▲Observing Without Judgment ▲Breathing Slowly ▲Taking Care of Myself, with versions featuring nature appreciation and male and female voice actors.

Together with AI-based edutech startup Marvelous, SK Telecom has also released Korea's first VR-based language simulation content. The partnership structure involves SK Telecom supporting part of the production investment costs and sharing revenue from content sales. Users can wear an HMD and engage in English conversations with foreigners in realistic settings such as foreign restaurants, airports, and conference rooms that unfold right before their eyes. A total of 112 English episodes have been created. SK Telecomexpects to achieve 2.7 times higher learning effectiveness compared to existing methods.

Additionally, over 20 creative works by writers who completed VR video production courses at the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) can be viewed through 'Jump VR.' Among the released works, 'Memory of the Wind' was screened at the 2019 Sitges Film Festival. Invited works from prestigious international film festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, and Venice have also been uploaded to 'Jump VR.'

Jeon Jin-soo, Head of SK Telecom's 5GX Service Business Division, said, “To broaden the horizon of VR services and pioneer the market, SK Telecom is creating a VR ecosystem through comprehensive cooperation from production investment to joint development, planning, and marketing. We will continue to develop high-quality VR content including VR game titles, healing, and travel in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.