Microsoft Pride: Pride Has No Borders
Welcome to a visual and aural immersion into the global history of the LGBTQIA+ Pride movement. Big Rock Creative was engaged by Microsoft to create this groundbreaking virtual experience. Participants begin in a virtual version of the Christopher Street Park outside the Stonewall Inn, New York City. There, they explore archival video and photos, audio interviews, and a historical timeline that conveys the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality through the decades. Finally, descending the stairs of the Christopher Street subway will transport you to the most fabulous and festive Pride World featuring curated music events, lectures, and hangouts for anyone to enjoy. The Pride World features interlaced images symbolic of over 20 cities that celebrate Pride annually. On June 17th, the inaugural global pride event was hosted by Microsoft and over 7,500 people participated.
What We Were Commissioned To Do
- Creative Direction
- World Building
- 3-D Modeling
- Copywriting
- Clearances
- Graphic Design
- Event Production
The Objective
We were tasked with creating an immersive environment where anyone can learn about the origin and history of the LGBTQIA+ Pride movement. We want participants to understand the struggles for freedom and equal rights since the 1960’s, while also being able to participate in the celebration that is known today as Pride Month. We are showcasing the great progress that has been made and the work still left to accomplish globally.
Why We Are Proud
To date, there is no space in virtual reality that fully captures the historical context of the LGBTQIA+ Pride movement. Our work is inspired by the best kind of museum exhibits you might find at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but it also provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and interact with the exhibits and to celebrate.
We created a truly interactive, immersive experience and community gathering space that is unlike anything that exists. It uses the unique features of virtual reality to immerse the user, creating an emotional response from the sights and sounds of protests, the testimonies of those persecuted, and even the dedication of the Stonewall Inn from President Barack Obama.
Then, like the evolution of the Pride movement, it invites users to transport to a unified world of LGBTQIA+ flags and global Pride iconography that brings different global celebrations in one unified experience. Here, we host curated music events, artist and activist discussions, LGBTQIA+ organization gatherings and welcome all who are in VR and want a global gathering community space.
Our Partner
The Objective
We were tasked with creating an immersive environment where anyone can learn about the origin and history of the LGBTQIA+ Pride movement. We want participants to understand the struggles for freedom and equal rights since the 1960’s, while also being able to participate in the celebration that is known today as Pride Month. We are showcasing the great progress that has been made and the work still left to accomplish globally.
Why We Are Proud
To date, there is no space in virtual reality that fully captures the historical context of the LGBTQIA+ Pride movement. Our work is inspired by the best kind of museum exhibits you might find at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but it also provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and interact with the exhibits and to celebrate.
We created a truly interactive, immersive experience and community gathering space that is unlike anything that exists. It uses the unique features of virtual reality to immerse the user, creating an emotional response from the sights and sounds of protests, the testimonies of those persecuted, and even the dedication of the Stonewall Inn from President Barack Obama.
Then, like the evolution of the Pride movement, it invites users to transport to a unified world of LGBTQIA+ flags and global Pride iconography that brings different global celebrations in one unified experience. Here, we host curated music events, artist and activist discussions, LGBTQIA+ organization gatherings and welcome all who are in VR and want a global gathering community space.
Our Partner
Pride has no borders is open to the public and available for free on the AltspaceVR platform.
It is also featured year round on: unlocked.microsoft.com/pride
How You Can Access Pride has no borders
Pride Has No Borders was accessible via Microsoft’s AltspaceVR social VR platform. In March 2023, Microsoft sunsetted this platform. Access to this world (Christopher Street Park Museum & Pride Celebration World) and experience has ended. To inquire about this specific project, contact us at info@bigrockxr.com.
Credits
Doug Jacobson - Creative Director
Kyle Hollingsworth - Visual Artist
Alan Chao & Loren Kulesus - World Designers
Krista Andersen - Graphic Designer
Andrew Barrett - Copywriter
Aviva Weinstein - Clearances
Awards
Contact Us
"This is a surprisingly effective reimagining of a real world community"
- Daniel Terdiman, Fast Company
"The brightest star in the multi-verse"
- Chris Taylor, Mashable
"It's a perfect reconstruction"
- Peter Reubens, Wired
"It's one of the best VR experiences we've seen all year"
- Charlie fink, Forbes
in association with
We build immersive and inclusive social experiences across realities that encourage collaboration, elevate artists and delight participants.
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