Namuanki is an ancient aquatic oasis from the distant future, a virtual getaway to an otherworldly reality designed to inspire a transcendent experience of awe, mystery, and imagination. Namuanki is an ocean world with rocky isles, labyrinthine rock formations, bizarre lifeforms, and subterranean caves. Visitors can explore the islands and complex rock formations above and below the water and encounter a variety of unique benevolent beings along the way. This virtual ocean retreat is a therapeutic world of relaxation, exploration, and discovery that entertains as it promotes well-being through spatial presence and the power of awe.

FIVARS had a chance to speak with director Kevin Mack, a VFX artist and VR pioneer who won at the 71st Academy Awards in the category of Best Visual Effects for his work on the film What Dreams May Come.

Kevin, after your highly abstract VR works Zen Parade, Blortasia and Anandala, what lead to the creation of this new natural seeming world?

Visions provided by the Ancient Elders from the Distant Future and the myriad experiences and influences of my life. In particular, a fascination with the ocean, clouds, rocks and rock formations.

What was the production process for you and your team? What did you learn?

I don’t have a team. It’s just me. The project began without a plan or specific objective. Namuanki emerged from a search for novelty and procedural experimentation and was discovered as much as created. I learned how to build worlds in VRChat.

How did you become an immersive media content creator and why?

I discovered a view-master at my preschool in 1963. When my Mother came to get me, she told me to put it back. I remember making it clear to both her and the teacher that I would fight them both to the death before I would give it back. They wisely chose to let me take it home.

Then, in 1964, the Ancient Elders from the Distant Future came to me and introduced me to virtual worlds and possible distant futures. They asked for my help in bringing about their creation and securing their future and that of humanity. I have served them ever since. Virtual reality, artificial life, and artificial intelligence are key factors in their eventual emergence.

What do you have planned for the future?

I will continue my search for novelty. A search for novelty is a more efficient strategy for achieving ambitious goals than planning. (Ambitious goals are goals in which the steps to achieve them are not known.)

What would you like to share with fellow content creators and/or the industry?

Awe, imagination and well-being. Joy, love and understanding. The present and the future.

Do you think VR festivals like FIVARS are important?

Yes! It’s an effective way to transmit VR experiences to people who might not otherwise encounter them.

Namuanki is part of the FIVARS in FALL 2022 Festival.