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The Classroom Goes 3D: TXI x VIVERSE in WebXR Worldbuilding

A Hands-On Partnership in WebXR Storytelling and 3D Worldbuilding | TXI x VIVERSE

Three cartoon astronauts in colorful suits stand on a lunar surface with planets in the background. Text: Building Immersive Experiences.
Build immersive experiences, games, and environments with VIVERSE

What if your class project wasn’t just a paper or a slideshow, but an explorable Virtual Classroom, or virtual world—like a virtual art gallery, a choose-your-own-path game, or a speculative sci-fi simulation? That’s exactly what students at the Texas Immersive Institute set out to build this semester—with a little help from VIVERSE. Over three months, they brainstormed, prototyped, and launched immersive 3D experiences —many of which were designed with XR and WebXR technologies in mind using tools like PlayCanvas and VIVERSE. Some had never touched a game engine before; others dove headfirst into digital storytelling for the first time. What they created is proof that with the right support and space to experiment, students can do more than imagine the future—they can start building it. 


A Shared Vision for Immersive Learning 

At its core, this partnership was about giving students room to play, experiment, and tell stories in entirely new ways. The Texas Immersive Institute (TXI) at UT Austin is all about preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet—something that naturally aligns with VIVERSE’s mission to make immersive creation more open and accessible. Together, TXI and VIVERSE gave students the tools and support to turn imagination into publishable, playable virtual experiences. 


“Having partners like VIVERSE really gets [students] to play with the tools of the future.” 

 — Erin Reilly, Founding Director, Texas Immersive Institute 


From Exploration to Application 

While these student-built worlds are playful, artistic, and sometimes surreal, they reflect real-world applications that employers increasingly look for. In industries ranging from architecture to healthcare, spatial computing and immersive 3D environments are already being used to prototype products, simulate scenarios, and engage audiences. Whether it’s designing a virtual storefront, building a narrative training simulation, or prototyping a digital twin of a physical space, these are the kinds of experiences companies are developing right now. 

 

By learning to build and share projects in WebXR, students gain more than just technical skills. They become XR literate—understanding how to design for interaction, optimize performance, and tell stories that are spatial, not static. With browser-based game engines and web-native platforms, students can leave the Virtual Classroom with an actual portfolio shows they can think—and build—like game designers, experience architects, or immersive producers. 

 

In fact, job boards are already flooded with roles asking for XR-literate candidates. 

 

Career-Ready Skills in WebXR 

 

  • Environment Artist 

  • Immersive Technician 

  • 3D Real-Time Artist / Developer 

  • Narrative Designer 

  • Unity Engine and XR Engineer 

  • 3D Game Developer 


While crafted in a classroom, these student-created worlds aren’t just immersive class projects meant to be graded and forgotten. They’re practical, portfolio-ready experiences that can serve as launch pads into careers in immersive tech. 


And the kind of hands-on opportunity that the TXI x VIVERSE collaboration provided couldn’t be more timely. The immersive content creation industry—including XR platforms and WebXR ecosystems—is growing fast, with recent research projecting the industry’s growth to top $63 billion globally by 2031 (Globe Newswire). For students, that means the chance to get a head start with real-world tools for 3D worldbuilding and more. For educators and platforms like VIVERSE, it’s about making sure those tools are within reach for improved immersive education. 


VIVEFEST: A Showcase of Student Innovation 

The semester wrapped with VIVEFEST, a student-led showcase hosted at UT Austin. Students showed off their creations to peers, faculty, and industry guests—from fantastical galleries to experimental games and story-driven adventures. It wasn’t just about what they built but the skills and confidence gained in the process of building their immersive, interactable worlds.  


“I’m really passionate about art and I want to find ways in which I can make it more immersive for [a] larger...audience.” 

 — Sneha Balaji, Computer Engineering, School of Information 


Every experience was made using tools like PlayCanvas and hosted on VIVERSE, both of which support WebXR and XR-ready experiences. This means anyone, from anywhere, can instantly access content with nothing more than a browser. No special hardware, no downloads—just a link and a little curiosity. 


Watch the Journey Unfold 

See the collaboration come to life in this quick one-minute video, featuring behind-the-scenes moments, student reflections, and faculty insights: 


Inside the TXI x VIVERSE Collaboration: Students Build Immersive Worlds in 3D 


PlayCanvas + VIVERSE: Tools for Creativity 

One of the best parts of the collaboration was watching how quickly students picked up the tools—even those new to coding or 3D design. For many, this was their first time using PlayCanvas—a web-based game engine that makes interactive 3D content possible right in the browser. With guidance from TXI faculty and VIVERSE, they brought their environments to life and made them accessible to anyone with a link. 


They also learned to think beyond just building assets—to consider audience experience, interactive design, and how their work fits into a larger narrative.  


“We're helping build the next generation of storytellers, of game developers—of people making content on VIVERSE.” 

 — Michael Morran, Developer Community Manager, VIVERSE 


These weren’t just student projects; they were real, interactive experiences shared with the world. 


Student Voices: Reflections From the Studio 

The students brought heart, curiosity, and a genuine desire to connect through storytelling. 


“Having technology to bring people closer together... allows for so much storytelling and [helps] people to share experiences a lot easier...” 

 — Neena Calhoun, Advertising major, Moody College of Communication 


“It would be really fun being a part of a team like this in terms of creativity and storytelling...” 

 — Ritika Banepali, Computer Science, School of Information 


What’s Next 

This collaboration has been a fantastic showcase of what can happen when schools and platforms come together to support immersive education and innovative Virtual Classroom environments, creative experimentation, risk-taking, and bold ideas that lead to real-world innovation. It’s a reminder that when learners are given the tools, trust, and encouragement to build, they often exceed even their own expectations. 


Learn more about the collaboration between TXI and VIVERSE, read about the mentors involved, and browse the students’ works, all available on the HTC VIVERSE Student Projects page at TXI! 


Explore the Worlds They Built 

The best part of any creative journey is seeing where imagination leads—and these students delivered in a big way. From atmospheric adventures to speculative taco shops, each world reflects the unique voice, curiosity, and experimentation of its creators. If you’re curious what the future of immersive content looks like, you can explore it for yourself—one click at a time: 



Each one of these worlds is a window into bold new ideas, and a reminder of what’s possible when students are given the space—and support—to create freely. 


Explore. Create. Inspire. 

Curious what immersive storytelling looks like in the hands of the next generation? Dive into their creations and see what’s possible when XR tools are used for education and beyond. 


Start exploring! 


What Could Your Team Build with VIVERSE? 

Interested in discussing how VIVERSE can support innovation in your institution or workplace? Our platform helps teams: 


  • Enhance learning through immersive, interactive environments 

  • Accelerate training and development with engaging 3D simulations 

  • Streamline collaboration using browser-based XR tools 

  • Prototype digital twins for real-world spaces and systems 

  • Tell better stories with spatial, web-native experiences 


Visit VIVERSE For Business and let’s chat about what’s possible! 

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