In our recent 8talks session, "Using WebAR for Historical Preservation," we had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the convergence of technology and history. Nicole Riemer and her team at ROSE Digital shared their groundbreaking work on three WebAR experiences developed for Black History Month. These experiences not only celebrated pivotal moments and figures in Black history but also set a benchmark for how we can use WebAR to make history accessible to all. 

We're excited to announce our first challenge for 2024,  the 8th Wall Time Capsule Challenge. This first challenge is an opportunity for developers to flex their creative muscles and push the boundaries of WebAR experiences. The Time Capsule Challenge will run from February 6th to March 25th and is an opportunity to not only show off your technological skills but lead audiences through a voyage through time by blending history, culture, and WebAR together for a powerful immersive experience.

Introducing Daniel Vettorazi, a technological innovator and pioneer in Augmented Reality. Beginning his career as an art director with coding skills, Daniel quickly developed a passion for emerging technologies, particularly AR, leading workshops across Brazil since 2010. His journey evolved from developing AR applications using C++, Flash, and early JavaScript to mastering Computer Vision and Machine Learning. 

We hosted a Q&A with Daniel to learn more about his journey in the AR space and how he’s using 8th Wall to build engaging experiences. 

We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on yet another exceptional 8th Wall developer community member: Mal Duffin.   Mal is a veteran in the field of game development who skillfully melds his extensive experience to forge engaging WebAR experiences. He recently participated in the 8th Wall x Hope for Haiti challenge where he created an immersive experience showcasing the history of Haiti and the work Hope for Haiti does. 

The holiday season is the ideal playground for WebAR, where the magic of the festivities meets the immersive world of augmented reality. In this time of joy and wonder, we're thrilled to introduce our final challenge of the year: The 8th Wall Holiday Developer Challenge, kicking off on December 4th. We're inviting developers to explore this festive canvas, crafting holiday-themed WebAR experiences that enchant and engage. This challenge is your opportunity to push the limits of WebAR, explore new creative avenues, and showcase your unique skills during this special season.

Let's turn our attention to another outstanding member of our incredibly talented and wonderfully diverse 8th Wall developer community. Meet Bryan Fenchel, a seasoned developer combining his background in music and tech to create immersive experiences like Dance Party, an audio-reactive concert experience. 

It’s time to highlight another member of our amazingly talented and diverse 8th Wall developer community. Meet Beatriz Junquera, an experienced 3D artist who’s done work for Link9, Hasbro and the WWE. Recently Beatriz won an Honorable Mention Prize during the VPS Developer Challenge. 

In the dynamic realm of augmented reality (AR), the possibilities are limitless. Today, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the 8th Wall x Hope for Haiti Challenge, a platform for developers to showcase their ingenuity and contribute to the evolution of immersive experiences. What makes this challenge truly exceptional is our collaboration with Hope for Haiti, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives in Haiti. This collaboration extends beyond the realm of technology, as we join hands to raise funds for their ambitious new Healthcare Campus. We’re aiming for 1,000 donations of any monetary value and we can’t wait to see the awesome experiences you develop!