October 2026

Looking Forward to "Reclaiming the Future"

​IMMERSIVE X Global XR Festival is an event unlike any other we've ever attended.

Completely virtual, and completely free, this three-day conference--though "conference" barely describes it--happens on multiple platforms, and encourages everyone to experience, and get involved with, virtual reality.

And it's just about to happen again.

The 2026 edition

2026 marks the sixth edition of IMMERSIVE X, started in 2020 by vm-people Founder and CEO Thomas Zorbach.

Themed "Reclaiming the Future", IMMERSIVE X 2026 happens during the week of November 9th. Participants will explore virtual platforms and use their creativity, plus immersive skills, to blueprint a better world.

More than 100 speakers will be participating, in more than 70 sessions. But if you attend, don't expect to just sit and listen.

Thomas says that the whole idea of virtual reality, is to get people to use those controllers to do something.

Accordingly, the program includes numerous interactive workshops, along with the discussion panels, performances and world hops. To say nothing of the parties in virtual space!

How to apply

IMMERSIVE X 2026 happens from November 10th through 12th, with that Monday, November 9, as a day of orientation and training on the nine platforms on which the conference takes place.

If you'd like to attend, you are absolutely invited.

To apply for the first time, request an invitation through IMMERSIVE X's homepage. You'll be asked to write a few sentences, explaining why you'd like to attend.

And come prepared to be part of an imaginative, interactive community with an overall spirit of optimism and creativity.

Like to help?

Meanwhile, if you'd like to help with this special event, Thomas says he does still need some additional volunteers, to welcome people at the spawn points of virtual worlds, or staff the help desk on Discord. If you happen to be a little more technical, he would also like stage managers for some of the various programs.

And, sponsors would be welcomed, as well. With a focus on high quality (truthfully, one of the best conferences I've ever attended!), IMMERSIVE X does still incur some expenses--and doesn't defray those through admission charges, since it's free.

Potential volunteers or sponsors may reach out on Discord, or through IMMERSIVE X's email at info@immersive-x.de.

The background

Interestingly enough, Thomas says that, originally, he really wasn't involved in virtual reality.

But the forced isolation during the pandemic led him to give VR a second look. And once he had gathered his team of creatives around a virtual "fireplace" for real-time interaction, he was hooked.

The experience would ultimately lead him to share that virtual connection with others, by founding the IMMERSIVE X festival.

And even with the challenging current VR landscape, Thomas and his staff see the immersive community as a means to creating a better world.

From that optimism grew this year's theme, "Reclaiming the Future."

"Even in (our) very first session (this year), people will have the chance to reflect on their own personal future," Thomas says.

"....Every participant in the session will have the chance to develop something, which he or she can take away."

We're looking forward to co-creating that future--and hope to see you there.

See you next week!