From the outset, the project presented technical challenges, especially when it came to optimizing hundreds of gigabytes of stereoscopic footage for real-time playback on two different devices. Compression and streaming were key components, as I developed solutions that maintained visual fidelity while ensuring smooth performance on both headsets.
Collaboration with PulseJet Studios offered creative freedom, and I proposed several design changes that enhanced the final product. Instead of a neon tie-dye skybox, I introduced a sci-fi-inspired night sky filled with planets and stars, which aligned better with the virtual desert environment. I also overhauled the UI, replacing a traditional menu with an immersive billboard system, allowing users to select artists as though they were part of the virtual world.
A unique challenge arose due to the Apple Vision Pro’s newness—since I didn’t own a headset, I relied on simulators for early testing and coordinated weekly builds for testing on the actual hardware. Developing simultaneously for Meta Quest and Vision Pro required me to manage two distinct codebases, each optimized for the specific architecture and interaction models of the respective platforms. I also used AI tools to conceptualize artwork for each artist's experience, which we then collaborated on with traditional artists to bring the final posters to life.
The Joshua Tree Music Festival can be downloaded from the Meta Quest App store here
