AUREA AWARD 2026, TELEPORTAL UPDATE, AWE 2026, “Meta is Not the Metaverse” Article

The following updates highlight recent milestones, events, and publications that reflect the ongoing work, partnerships, and vision shaping the Virtual Worlds Museum™ and the future of virtual worlds.

AUREA AWARD 2006

Our Director, Julian Reyes was invited to give the keynote and be a juror for the AUREA Award!

On February 2–3, 2026, Europa-Park Resort became the ultimate playground for visionaries, tech pioneers, and bold entrepreneurs. Over 160 international creatives gathered to celebrate projects that push the boundaries of reality, storytelling, and technology.

The experience began even before the official program, as participants arrived at Hotel Colosseo and were welcomed into a world of innovation, inspiration, and high-energy connections—an inner circle of innovation ready to unfold. Tech pioneers and entrepreneurs gathered under the theme

“Through the Looking Glass: Where Layered Realities Unfold” to honor projects that redefine reality, storytelling, and technology.

A distinguished expert jury, chaired by Kathleen Cohen (The Collaboratorium), and joined by Thomas Wagner (VR Coaster), Emily Olman (Hopscotch Interactive), Christina Lee Storm (Secret Level), and our very own Director, Julian Reyes (AUREA Award #7 winner), ensured a forward-looking and industry-driven selection.

‍On Monday morning, the 10 selected finalists pitched their ideas on the main stage at the Globe Theatre, showcasing projects ranging from immersive entertainment to cutting-edge technology:

‍- Anima Morale - Isabelle Konrad

- Ballee - Christoph Spinger

- Bono: Stories of Surrender (Immersive!) - Elad Offer

- DreamPark Immersive, Inc.- Aidan Wolf & Brent Bushnell

- Worldbuildr - Michael Libby

- Wall Town Wonders by Cyborn - Ives Agemans & Koen Van den Steen

- Oktoberfest VR by K5 Factory GmbH - Dr. Thomas Wagner

- Uncanny Alley: A New Day - Stephen Butchko & Deirdre V. Lyons

- PARty by Brandenburg Labs GmbH- Karlheinz Brandenburg

- Totems of Hope - Philanthropy as an Immersive Ritual by Simeone Scaramozzino

Julian Reyes handed the “CREATIVE” category award to Elad Offer for the Apple Vision Pro immersive experience: “Bono: Stories of Surrender”.  A huge thank you to the AUEA family and we look forward to next year!

TELEPORTAL UPDATE

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Steve Van Loon for his outstanding development work on the Teleportal, whose technical expertise and dedication were instrumental in bringing all five versions of this ambitious project to life. As the first and only interactive map of virtual world platforms, the Teleportal represents a major milestone for the Virtual Worlds Museum™ and the broader immersive ecosystem, and we are actively inviting sponsors and partners to help us finalize development, expand its capabilities, and support the future of this essential research and discovery tool.

https://www.virtualworlds.museum/teleportal

AWE XR 2026

We’re proud to share that Julian Reyes, will be speaking at AWE USA 2026 in Long Beach on June 18th, exploring “How We Can Preserve Online Worlds and Why It Matters.” The session brings  together leading voices in the immersive ecosystem, including Wagner James Au (Author, New World Notes), Neil Barbour (Industry Analyst, S&P Global Market Intelligence), and Evo Heyning (CEO, Realitycraft), to examine the cultural, economic, and technological forces shaping virtual worlds and the importance of preservation, creator ecosystems, and spatial computing in advancing the future of digital experiences.

“Meta is Not the Metaverse: An Open Letter to the Tech Press’ Article

We’re also excited to share Julian Reyes’ recently published article on AR Insider, titled “Meta Is Not the Metaverse: An Open Letter to the Tech Press.”  Drawing on decades of platform history and research that directly informs the work of the Virtual Worlds Museum™, the article reinforces the importance of accuracy, ethics, and long-term stewardship in how immersive technologies are discussed, documented, and developed.

https://arinsider.co/2026/01/29/meta-is-not-the-metaverse-an-open-letter-to-the-tech-press

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As we look ahead, we are grateful to reflect on the AUREA Award 2026, alongside the continued evolution of the Teleportal with its latest update expanding access to virtual world research. This moment builds on our upcoming contributions to the AWE USA 2026, XR Guild Library, and AR Insider, all reinforcing the Virtual Worlds Museum™ mission of preservation, clarity, and ethical exploration. We thank our supporters and invite partners and collaborators to reach out and co-create the next chapter with us.