Magic Bytes
Magic Bytes
Magic Bytes
Magic Bytes
B-52 XR SIMULATOR PROTOTYPE DELIVERED
Bossier City, Louisiana 8/12, 2022
Neil Levin - VR Training, Thomas Meiertoberens - Magic Bytes, Jordan Griffin and Brandon Naids - Talon Simulations
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) B-52 pilots tested two prototypes that are designed to provide a solution for mid-air refueling simulation and training. Magic Bytes was involved with the development of one of the prototypes and assisted in selecting suitable component vendors, worked on mixed reality functionality, and integrated the Varjo XR-3 headset.
The fly-off event took place August 10-11 in the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, La which is located close to Barksdale Airforce Base. It was hosted by AFGSC and its innovation hub STRIKEWERX. Dozens of pilots performed test runs and provided critical feedback. Distinguished guests had an opportunity to witness the performances of both simulators.
According to Dr. Donna Senft, AFGSC's chief scientist, “These simulators go beyond what other Air Force AR/VR simulators can do in terms of flight realism and training efficiency. This solution will result in reduced maintenance costs, no training delays, and improved pilot proficiency and readiness.”
Read entire STRIKEWERX statement here.
The project originally resulted from a challenge event in April 2021 from the US Air Force program AFWERX and AFGSC's STRIKEWERX with the goal of bringing together the best industry and academia solutions. Of more than 100 proposals only two got selected and funded.
Magic Bytes LLC participated in the challenge and collaborated with VR Training,Talon Simulations, LLC, Bugeye Technologies, Inc. to provide a solution. VR Training as the lead collaborator was selected as one of the two finalists. Iris Dynamics Ltd., Silverdraft Supercomputing and Varjo Technologies provided special hardware components to build the simulator prototype which features 3DOF motion, next-gen control loading and high fidelity MR. Specular Theory provided their mid-air refueling simulation and training software called EARL™ which integrates the physical components.
TOONWORLD APP RELEASED
Orlando 2/5, 2021
Our new game 'Toonworld' is available now for download from the Google Playstore. The App is published as Free-to-Play with in-app purchases. Give early feedback and let us know how you like the app and how we can improve it. Not all features are implemented yet and expect weekly updates! Additional features and levels will be published throughout the year. A Virtual Reality version for Oculus Quest 2 is under development and should be available later in the year.
The Android app has been programmed by a small team in Tuebingen, Germany. Lead programmer Tom Haeschke (middle) used the Unity game engine for development. Former Disney Imagineer Brian Collins contributed ideas to gameplay.
British composer Sophie Lloyd created original game music and Raziye (Razi) Tutku Özel from Germany is the voice talent behind the scenes in Toonword.
MAGIC BYTES IS PUBLISHING 'SMOKE & MIRRORS VR'
Atlanta 3/16, 2020
We're excited to announce, that Magic Bytes will be publishing James Laudermilk's upcoming Virtual Reality experience 'Smoke & Mirrors VR' for Oculus Rift and other VR headsets! You are the Magician and experience what it is like to perform on different stages and create unbelievable illusions. This magical VR experience also has a museum of magicians to preserve the history of magic which features illusionists like The Award Winning Queens Service Medal Magician, Alan Watson, Magic Castle Magician Misty Lee, Magicians Kyle & Misty, Houdini and even Martinka's famous magic shop where the Society of American Magicians was founded in 1902. The game was already featured in Indie Gamer Magazine, Vanish Magic Magazine and Cucalorus Film Festival in North Carolina.
James is a 19-year Army Veteran and Iraq War veteran. After beating Cancer in 2016, he taught himself programming in Unity. He also started developing his own game 'Smoke and Mirrors VR' when he was selected for Oculus Launch Pad 2018 which is ran and owned by Facebook. Virtual Reality is helping James with his diagnosed PTSD. Magic Bytes CEO & Founder Thomas Meiertoberens visited James at his home near Atlanta to meet him in person, experience his passion for new technologies, learn more about his latest VR animation tools and to discuss details of his magical VR game. It's an honor to have James on our team.
STEM EXPO 2020
Orange Technical College 1/31, 2020
Alien Invasion at STEM Expo 2020 Orange Technical College in Orlando! Great to see all the excitement about our upcoming VR game Toonworld for Oculus Quest.
More info and a video of Toonworld here: https://www.magicbytes.com/games
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OTRONICON 2020
Orlando Science Center 1/17-1/20, 2020
Our first public presentation of our Toonworld demo on Oculus Quest happened at Otronicon 2020 in the Orlando Science Center - We received great positive feedback! Otronicon is a yearly showcase of resources available through collaboration between educational institutions, the tech and manufacturing communities of Central Florida.
More info and a video of Toonworld here: https://www.magicbytes.com/games
Our presentation of our updated Gaming & Computer Lab at Otronicon 2020 in the Orlando Science Center was a tremendous success. There's a lot of interest in Physical Computing with Scratch and Raspberry Pi. Our modified Windows10 version of Scratch3 can control GPIO Pins remotely over WIFI. Code in Scratch on your own Windows10 Computer and start exciting experiments with electronics!
• Create exciting STEM experiments with sensors, electronic switches, servo motors and LED's
• Combine your experiments with Lego® Boost, Lego® Powered Up Train or Lego® Mindstorms®
• Add Amazon® Text to Speech or Google® Translation to your projects
• Learn Coding, Game Design, Physical Computing, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
• Add a large LED Matrix for displaying data, pixel art, RSS feeds and more
Please visit our Facebook page for additional photos!