You want to attend HiveFest but you don't have a VR headset, no problem!
You will be happy to know you can fully participate in HiveFest without a VR headset. In fact, you will still have a great experience as 2D mode works great.
Let me show you how to do it.
You will need to install a program called AltSpace VR onto your computer. Only Windows and MacOS is supported, with Windows having the best support. You can install AltSpace VR from either Steam, Windows Store, or directly from AltSpace VR.
AltSpace VR is a virtual world and meeting place app mostly focused on presentation and entertainment style events. It is mostly targeted to adults, although you will find some younger people in the app, I have found it is rare. Most are 20-60 if I had to guess.
Once you install AltSpace VR, you will then need to create an account. You can do this from within AltSpace VR or via the website sign up. I recommend using the website as there are a few other things you will want to do.
Once you create an account, you will want to go into the settings for your profile and upload an image for your avatar. This is not the same as customizing your avatar and this can only be done visa the website. This is what you will show up in the people list and to your friends when they look up your account.
Once this is done, I recommend launching AltSpace VR and signing in with your new account. From there you should customize your avatar by going to Me and then customize avatar. This is what you will look like to others in AltSpace. This will persist even if you later get a VR headset or use both 2D and VR like I do.
Once you have finished customizing your avatar, you can start to explore the world.
I recommend checking out some of the popular events and just hoping in and seeing how it works.
I recommend checking out some of the variety shows or one of the talk shows. You could even try VR form of Cards Against Humanity in some of the 17+ rooms.
I recommend checking out the Campfire Hub on the bottom, it is an open space where you can just walk around and jump into conversations with people.
Be sure to check out my previous post where you can friend some of the people you know on Hive. I am updating the post as more people sign up, make sure to leave a comment with your Hive and AltSpaceVR account names so I can add you to the list.
You may think it's not worth attending HiveFest because you don't have VR, but don't let that set you back, the experience is fantastic with 2D, just not as immersive.
If you do want to participate with a VR headset, the most popular option is the Oculus Quest 2 64GB for $299 USD. You can use this as a stand alone device without a PC or connect it to a PC and play PC VR games as well. There are a lot of cool apps and games on the Quest 2 outside of HiveFest so you will get your moneys worth.
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