Founded in 2017 as a company focused on shared user experiences using augmented reality (AR) technology, Ubiquity6 had veered away from that core concept over the past year and has now taken its next big leap. This week it was announced that Discord, the communication platform favoured by gamers has acquired Ubiquity6.
First reported by TechCrunch, details of the acquisition haven’t been disclosed but in a Medium post Anjney Midha, CEO & co-founder of Ubiquity6 said: “Our mission at Ubiquity6 has always been to unlock new ways for people to connect through shared experiences. Joining Discord today allows us to accelerate that mission — Ubiquity6’s team, Backyard product and multiplayer technology will be integrated into Discord.”
How that will work remains to be seen but it likely won’t feature any AR technology. Even though Ubiquity6 managed to raise a total of $37.5 million USD across two funding rounds back in 2018 off the back of its multiplayer AR vision, that dream hasn’t come to pass. Attracting some high investors, mobile AR hasn’t taken off as expected; seen more as a tool rather than an entertainment platform.
It did launch an iOS and Android app in 2019 called Display.land which mixed social networking and 3D scanning in one, where users could scan an object or place, make minor edits and then share a 3D model. While the concept sounded interesting it didn’t last long with Display.land coming to a halt in August 2020.
Hence why Ubiquity6 transitioned away from AR whilst still retaining its shared experience roots with Backyard. The platform launched in 2020 hoping to build off the back of the pandemic and everyone’s need to remotely communicate. However, prior to the acquisition announcement this week Ubiquity6 shuttered Backyard over the weekend. In a statement to Backyard users the company said: “Our platform, games and activities have found a new home there, and we’re excited to share more in the coming months about bringing the best of Backyard to Discord.”
If Ubiquity6 does use its AR knowledge within Discord, VRFocus will keep you updated.
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Source: https://www.vrfocus.com/2021/06/ar-startup-ubiquity6-acquired-by-discord/
