PHI Studio sponsored today's episode to highlight that they are expanding their location-based entertainment distribution network to the United States with their EXP Rosemont location in the greater Chicago, IL area that is opening to the public on September 26, 2025. They will be launching with a couple of Excurio pieces including The Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles that feature large-scale, free-roaming VR guided tours that I've covered previously in episodes #1430, #1431, and #1588.

Both Excurio and PHI Studio are interested in collaborating with creators who are interested in creating large-scale LBE experiences that could draw 100-150 people per hour, and you can reach out to Fabian Barati and/or Julie Tremblay on LinkedIn. Excurio will be making their tools and SDK available to third party developers to expand the number content producers creating this type of large-scale work, and PHI Studio continues to do co-productions across a wide range of formats and throughput scales.

I'm excited to see PHI Studio continue to build out their independent distribution network across Canada and North America as they continue to produce and distribute their own experiences as well as distribute the best of large-scale, free roaming experience from Excurio. EXP Rosemont will be launching with a couple of Excurio pieces, but I expect them to eventually distribute some of their own large-scale VR and non-VR, immersive works as well. PHI Studio continues to build out their own independent distribution networks, which will provide new outlets and opportunities for immersive stories that have featured on the festival circuit to have a home beyond this more insular XR industry exhibition network.

Not all projects will be a good fit for this high-throughput format, but the revenue generated will help support their other more experimental efforts that are helping to push the boundaries of the medium. Look for my more in-depth coverage of Blur coming out here within the next couple of weeks, which was my personal favorite from Venice Immersive and one of the hottest tickets at this years festival.

Thanks again to PHI Studio for sponsoring this episode, and keep an eye on this new location in the greater Chicago area (and apparently only a 10-minute ride from O'Hare Airport if you happen to have an extended layover). I'll be diving more into more 30+ hours of coverage from Venice Immersive within the next couple of weeks, likely after I return from Meta Connect.

This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon.

Music: Fatality