- Revealing ground-breaking prototypes and first-of-its-kind research, Bath Spa University hosted an Amplified Publishing hybrid event
- The sell-out event saw panellists from Bath Spa University, Amplified Publishing and three Bristol and Bath based businesses discuss the future of publishing and its impact on inclusivity
- Attendees experienced the excitement of a digital twin through live music event at Bristol’s live music venue, Lost Horizon, also streamed for virtual audiences
Bath Spa University and Amplified Publishing introduced exclusive panel discussions from industry leaders on future models of content creation and showcased ground-breaking prototypes including one that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve accessibility for communication.
The Amplified Publishing programme is part of the Bristol + Bath Creative R+D, a £6.8m government-funded creative industries cluster project designed to develop Bristol and Bath’s thriving creative economy.
Hosted at The Studio in Bath for the first part of the day, the hybrid event continued at Lost Horizon in Bristol later in the afternoon and into the evening.
The three panel discussions explored themes ranging from how innovative technologies can reach new audiences, discover new ways to generate income, ethical and inclusive practices in technology and the creative challenges of building communities.
The discussions were followed by an experiential event at music and arts venue, Lost Horizon, where their prototype technology captured the physical performance alongside a livestream of its digital twin, which users could join virtually using a VR headset.
Attendees and investors had the exclusive opportunity to explore the ‘experience room’, meet the prototype teams and interact with their projects, which included the following:
Stormjar – monsters trade the nightmares of humankind
Using environmentally friendly and sustainable NFTs, the Stormjar team has worked on creating a first-of-its-kind horror social experience called the Nightmare Auction, where monsters trade the nightmares of humankind.
Network N – Helping creators reach fans, find audiences and monetise content
Network N has created Follower.TV to empower creators and consumers alike. The platform creates easy access to multiple channels, leveraging clients and partners to ensure that users no longer depend on algorithms and see only what is important to them.
Lost Horizon – 3D immersive social VR and gaming
Lost Horizon has developed a 3D immersive social VR and gaming environment, as a digital twin of its physical venue. This provides rich, intuitive and detailed 3D free-roaming, open-world game environment, offering social and real-time access to a global network of real-world venues and festivals.
Kate Pullinger, Director of the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries, Bath Spa University and head of the Amplified Publishing pathfinder, commented: “With publishing remaining the largest employer within the creative industries in Bristol and Bath, we are passionate about finding new and innovative ways to publish across all platforms.
“We were delighted to host what has been a culmination of a year of research and prototyping by our incredibly talented team. Attendees got an exclusive opportunity to learn about pioneering research designed to have real-life impact on ALS patients, ensuring that inclusivity is front of mind across industries.
“Funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) for the Bristol + Bath Creative R+D has been critical in enabling us to explore the future of publishing across games, books, online, VR/AR and audio and it’s great to see the government investing in Bath and Bristol as the future of tech innovation in the UK.”
Paul Jones, Senior Manager UK Network Team at British Business Bank, said: “I’m always pleased to meet creative entrepreneurs and this event didn’t disappoint! All three presented their prototype with energy and in an understandable way, with great definition of the problem and demonstration of their exciting solution. The future is secure where programmes such as these produce such good fledging businesses.”