Arvore's Journey to Becoming a Prestigious Emmy-Winning VR Developer

Brazil has been home to game developers since the 1980s, and its creative talent has been at the forefront of virtual reality from its inception. Rodrigo Terra, president of the Brazilian games trade body Abragames and co-founder of Arvore Immersive Entertainment, has been involved with VR since 2014, experimenting with the Oculus Rift DK1 before Facebook acquired Oculus. Terra's fascination with VR stems from its ability to transport users into new worlds, providing immersive experiences that transcend traditional screen-based entertainment. Although the Brazilian market for virtual reality is currently small, major companies are working to establish a presence in the region, with Apple and Meta making significant investments. However, Terra notes that access remains a significant barrier, with VR headsets not yet widely available or affordable in Brazil. In contrast to smartphones, which became popular in Brazil due to government policies that reduced manufacturing costs, VR technology has not yet benefited from similar initiatives. Despite these challenges, the VR community in Brazil is growing, with developers finding ways to import headsets and create their own content. Arvore, founded by Terra and his university friend Ricardo Justus, has been at the forefront of this movement, creating immersive experiences that have gained international recognition. The company's first commercially released VR game, Pixel Ripped 1989, was an homage to retro video games, while its subsequent releases, including The Line, have pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling. The Line, a 20-minute interactive love story, won the prize for best VR immersive experience at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival and the Primetime Emmy for outstanding innovation in interactive programming in 2020. Terra believes that immersive content is key to showcasing the potential of VR, allowing developers to create universal stories that resonate with global audiences. While virtual reality has yet to become a mainstream phenomenon, Terra is confident that it will eventually become a dominant form of entertainment, with the potential to replace traditional screens and devices. As technology advances and prices decrease, Terra predicts that VR will become more accessible, paving the way for a new generation of players who will grow up with immersive technologies as a normal part of their lives. For now, Arvore remains committed to creating innovative VR experiences that showcase the potential of this emerging industry.