AWE Nite Chicago | The Next Evolution of Games

Wednesday 12/02/2026

5:30pm Physical | 6:00pm Virtual (Central)

AWE Nite Chicago | The Next Evolution of Education
Free to Attend

This is a hybrid event where we field questions from our in-person audience, the virtual environment audience in FRAME, as well as those tuning in via YouTube.

5:30pm | In Person | 2112: 4245 N Knox Ave
6:00pm | Virtually | FRAMEvr
6:15pm | Live Stream | youtube.com/@AWEXR/streams

Beer provided by Revolution Brewing
Seltzers provided by [SYSTEM] Seltzers

About the Topic:
Gaming has long been a proving ground for immersive technology, and VR and AR continue to change how people play, tell stories, and connect. Headsets move players from a flat screen into environments they can walk through and interact with, and that sense of presence is opening up new genres, from sports and horror to fitness games that turn exercise into something people want to do. Storytelling is shifting too, as players take on different perspectives and make choices that shape the outcome. Social play is also changing, with virtual worlds becoming shared spaces where people can gather, collaborate, and create together.

Alongside the progress, the industry is working through real challenges. Hardware limitations like comfort, resolution, and latency still affect how long and how well people can play. Accessibility remains an area to improve, with customizable controllers, eye tracking, and voice input helping but not yet reaching every player. Questions around data privacy, the effects of highly realistic experiences on mental health and behavior, and the representation reflected in game content and avatars are also part of the conversation. And with some of the largest platform companies scaling back their investments, developers are rethinking where the market is headed and how to build experiences that serve players well over the long term.

Join us on Wednesday December 2nd at 2112 where this session will explore how gaming is shaping the future of immersive technology – what is working today, where the barriers to adoption remain, and how lessons from play are extending into how we learn, work, and connect as gamification is being used across sectors in training.

What's The Format:
We will start with informal networking with demonstrations, then host a panel discussion to answer audience questions, and we end with more networking and demonstrations. We keep it simple and informal – this meetup is about you, our members, and not just a soap box for the host, presenters, or our sponsors. Come and get your questions answered, take your next step in Immersive Technology.

5:30-8:30pm Central
5:30-6:15 PM Networking & Tech Demos
6:15-6:30 PM Welcome Message
6:30-7:10 PM Panelist Presentations
7:10-7:45 PM Panel Discussion with Q&A
7:45-8:30 PM Networking & Tech Demos

Host:
Matt Wren
Founder of The Next Evolution Nonprofit Event Series & VRAR Chicago

Andrew Towl - Virtual Host
XR Unity Developer & 3D Generalist - ApparitionXR

For More Details:
https://thenextevolution.org/upcoming-events/

***

Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-next-evolution-nfp-109384632841

The Next Evolution | AWE Nite Chicago Event Series (produced by VRAR Chicago) is now and always will be 100% free to attend.

***
Thanks to The Next Evolution Sponsors like VRAR Chicago, 2112 and beverage sponsors [system] seltzers and Revolution Brewing.

We would also like to thank our Community Partners that help us continue spreading the joy of immersive technologies: FrameVR, XR Women, NVZN, Patched Reality, Two Degrees.io, and Unreal Chicago.