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Come join us!\r\n\r\nhttps://www.fastcompany.com/90692692/gather-inclusive-metaverse-vr", "one_liner": "Building a better way to meet online.", "team_size": 60, "industry": "Consumer", "subindustry": "Consumer -> Social", "launched_at": 1598914813, "tags": [ "Metaverse" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2019", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Consumer", "Social" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Fully Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/gather-2", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2019/gather-2.json", "year_founded": 2020, "city": "New York City", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/gathertown/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/gather_town", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": "https://github.com/gathertown", "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/7861de884111e3c22dce9bd8a25a30fafb7149ec.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 101474, "full_name": "Kumail Jaffer", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mohammed-kumail-jaffer/8a/29/622", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/k_m_y_l", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e621fad8300888b96ac76be57281837417a6699e.jpg" }, { "user_id": 276823, "full_name": "Phillip Wang", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-wang-592629118/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/flippnflops", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/4edf50cea5811d4c5171e02b846b4c667d62f8a8.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 75963, "title": "Staff Fullstack Engineer - Grapevine (AI)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/gather-2/jobs/a45XtHa-staff-fullstack-engineer-grapevine-ai", "location": "US / CA / Remote (US; CA)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Backend", "salary_range": "$189K - $238K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "6+ years", "visa": "Will sponsor", "skills": [ "Node.js", "Python", "TypeScript" ] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Forget Meta's Sleek Virtual Reality. Maybe The Metaverse Is Fun, Friendly, 8-Bit -- And Already Here", "url": "https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrickcai/2022/02/02/the-future-is-low-res", "date": "Feb 03, 2022" }, { "title": "Why the Metaverse Matters", "url": "https://www.gather.town/post/why-the-metaverse-matters", "date": "Nov 03, 2021" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 25417, "name": "Koala", "slug": "koala", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b5d5c67d898170e24a0111b4d2de9a5cffb5ca25.png", "website": "https://www.teachwithkoala.com", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA; Remote", "long_description": "PROBLEM 😩\r\n\r\nZoom is great for adults, not ideal to engage an 8 year old online.\r\n\r\nSOLUTION 🔥\r\n\r\nKoala Go, the award-winning interactive platform for online teaching businesses.\r\n\r\nLearn more at https://teachwithkoala.com/", "one_liner": "Minecraft for Teachers", "team_size": 11, "industry": "Education", "subindustry": "Education", "launched_at": 1641252061, "tags": [ "Education", "Marketplace", "Gaming", "Metaverse" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Education" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Fully Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/koala", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2022/koala.json", "year_founded": 2020, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachwithkoala", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/studioseinstein?s=11", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/TeachWithKoala", "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/einstein-studios", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b5d5c67d898170e24a0111b4d2de9a5cffb5ca25.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 722547, "full_name": "Xavier Lesage Moretti", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Xavier was born and raised in Paris, France. \nWhen he turned 21, he got an internship at Apple in California and never came back to France.\nXavier currently lives in San Francisco with his fiancée.\nHe would not trade his entrepreneurial life for anything.\nXavier's favorite TV show are West Wing and Friends.\nHe's a decent skier, basketball player and plays real time strategy games. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-lesage-moretti/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/eafb746db7a37a1d2100eef4fc1b842468d24901.jpg" }, { "user_id": 856511, "full_name": "Benjamin Roux", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-roux-3b224237", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/cf9871fad2ced856ec18dc7b522ba09a94d34831.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 68181, "title": "🐨 Learn with Koala", "tagline": "Igniting a love of learning in every child", "body": "**Tl;dr Dear parents, fun live online classes made for kids now exist.** [**Koala**](https://www.learnwithkoala.com) **is a fun alternative to Zoom for kids’ online classes. 🌅**\\\n\\\nHi 👋🏽, we’re [Xavier](https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-lesage-moretti/) (left) and [Ben](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-roux-3b224237) (right). \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68181&key=user_uploads/722547/644eec02-04f8-439b-809a-65eaa5f4a36f)\n\nWe’re ex-Apple engineers, raised by teachers. We were also each other’s best men 🤵🏽\n\n—\n\n# 🧠 “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”\n\nRight?\n\nBut for kids, live online classes feel like\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68181&key=user_uploads/89898/db10a76d-b9d8-4c59-bb13-bc6ddde51086)\n\n**That’s why we co-founded** [**Koala**](https://www.learnwithkoala.com/)**.**\n\nA fun alternative to Zoom for kids’ online classes. It looks like this:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68181&key=user_uploads/722547/6602212c-2b53-4dab-87b3-84df77568cc2)\n\nInspired by Minecraft, Koala quickly attracted thousands of teachers and their students. Kids and teachers loved it.\n\n💚 Our community of teachers helped us iterate fast on our MVP\\\n🥳 We got into YC W22\\\n🥇 Koala won awards\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68181&key=user_uploads/89898/4fae7fb1-f415-4ed3-8eec-6434a98caac5)\n\n# \n\n# **🔥 Today, we’re launching our new product: Learn with Koala**\n\nFun live online classes you can book for your kids with the best teachers.\n\nOur 3 favorite classes:\n\n* [**Introduction to Chinese** by an ex-startup exec \\[5 - 8 years old\\]](https://www.learnwithkoala.com/classes/52e67bd4-baad-4c4c-b245-dac23504aed0?utm_source=Launch+YC&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=top+3+classes)\n* [**Code a video game** with a Y Combinator CTO \\[10 - 14 years old\\]](https://www.learnwithkoala.com/classes/0d21c80a-0453-4d0d-bf6c-913cf9040c7b?utm_source=Launch+YC&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=top+3+classes)\n* [**English for non-native speakers** by Mrs Emily \\[4 - 9 years old\\]](https://www.learnwithkoala.com/classes/8cc956fb-21df-4cb6-8c88-934b98b5911f?utm_source=Launch+YC&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=top+3+classes)\n\n—\n\n# ❤️ Want to support us?\n\nBook one of the 3 classes above or any class at and **let us know how we can make our product better** 🙏🏼\n\nDon’t go easy on us! 😉\n\nMuch love\n\nThe Koala founders 🐨", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Hjh-learn-with-koala", "votes": 305, "created_at": "2023-01-04T16:48:00.266Z" } ] }, { "id": 27055, "name": "Vinci Games", "slug": "vinci-games", "former_names": [ "Vinci Games", "Blacktop Hoops by Vinci Games", "Vinci Games", "Blacktop Hoops (by Vinci Games)", "Blacktop Hoops by Vinci Games" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b8b2e08cc80100af4f7f9161d33c4a5f1a59e6dd.png", "website": "https://ruffnauts.com/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA; Remote", "long_description": "Vinci Games (YC S22) is building the next generation of social multiplayer VR games.\r\n\r\nOur first title, Blacktop Hoops, became one of the highest-rated sports games on Meta Quest with a passionate global community and critical acclaim.\r\n\r\nOur second title, Ruffnauts, is already one of the fastest growing F2P releases of 2025 on Meta Quest, with 30K+ reviews at 4.9 stars in its first month of Alpha Early Access. Ruffnauts combines creature catching, chaotic physics, and Gorilla Tag style locomotion into a groundbreaking VR adventure.\r\n\r\nThe company is led by CEO Nathaniel Ventura (ex-Oculus, Google, Meta) and CTO Maciej Szcześnik, former lead gameplay designer at CD Projekt Red for The Witcher series. Our mission is to create genre-defining VR experiences that bring millions of players together.", "one_liner": "Creating genre-defining multiplayer VR games.", "team_size": 7, "industry": "Consumer", "subindustry": "Consumer -> Gaming", "launched_at": 1658286946, "tags": [ "Virtual Reality", "Consumer", "Gaming", "Metaverse" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Consumer", "Gaming" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Fully Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vinci-games", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2022/vinci-games.json", "year_founded": 2021, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/76188044", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/blacktophoopsvr", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/BlacktopHoops/", "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b8b2e08cc80100af4f7f9161d33c4a5f1a59e6dd.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 701640, "full_name": "Nathaniel Ventura", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Nathan Ventura is the co-founder and CEO of Vinci Games, which he started with Maciej Szcześnik in 2021. Nathan oversees product, marketing, and business development for the company. He spent his career leading world-class developer programs at Facebook, Google, and Unity. Currently he is focused on building the next generation of AAA competitive sports for virtual reality with Blacktop Hoops.\n\n\n", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/nathanielventura", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/bad14271401b69fca81e1881b82d1dc51832f270.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1002203, "full_name": "Maciej Szcześnik", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Maciej Szcześnik is the co-founder and CTO of Vinci Games. He is responsible for game design and development. He studied physics (BSc) and computer science (MSc) and started his game dev career in 2004. Former lead gameplay designer on The Witcher 1, 2, and 3 at CD Projekt Red and Lead Designer at 11 Bit Studios. Former Vice-Rector and author of Video Game Development course at Warsaw Film School. Maciej started working on VR games and apps in 2015. Won Unity Neon Challenge in 2018. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/mszczesnik/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/MaciejSzczesnik", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/8a38e1cc4bec6c04fc28bfb9b503c6d97507ad37.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 94923, "title": "Senior World / Level Designer & Artist - Social VR ", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vinci-games/jobs/Dj5VYTN-senior-world-level-designer-artist-social-vr", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US)", "type": "Contract", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Android", "salary_range": "$50 - $100 / hourly", "equity_range": "", "experience": "6+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "C#", "Unreal Engine", "Unity", "Blender", "Autodesk Maya" ] }, { "id": 94924, "title": "Lead 3D Artist - Social VR", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vinci-games/jobs/6y7i0vY-lead-3d-artist-social-vr", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US)", "type": "Contract", "role": "Design", "role_type": "3D/AR/VR", "salary_range": "$50 - $100 / hourly", "equity_range": "", "experience": "6+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "Unity", "Photoshop", "Blender", "Autodesk Maya" ] }, { "id": 94925, "title": "Senior Technical Artist, VFX & Interaction Systems - Social VR", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vinci-games/jobs/dzOP6Dg-senior-technical-artist-vfx-interaction-systems-social-vr", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US)", "type": "Contract", "role": "Design", "role_type": "3D/AR/VR", "salary_range": "$75 - $125 / hourly", "equity_range": "", "experience": "6+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "Unreal Engine", "Unity", "Blender", "Autodesk Maya" ] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Blacktop Hoops debuts as VR basketball game | VentureBeat", "url": "https://venturebeat.com/games/blacktop-hoops-debuts-as-vr-basketball-game/", "date": "May 16, 2024" }, { "title": "'Blacktop Hoops' Studio Announces $5.1M Funding Round, Open Beta Now Live – Road to VR", "url": "https://www.roadtovr.com/vr-basketball-5-1m-funding-quest-2-steam/", "date": "Apr 18, 2023" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 80895, "title": "🔥🤾Blacktop Hoops 2.0 - NBA 2K for AR/VR", "tagline": "Blacktop Hoops, the ultimate single player and multiplayer AR/VR basketball game. ", "body": "![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=80895&key=user_uploads/89898/e5538a15-e8ae-40a9-b9b3-088d1457c12f)\n\n# **TL;DR**\n\nBlacktop Hoops is the ultimate VR basketball game and sports experience. Embark on a hoops journey in career mode, ball against bots, hang out with friends in online courts, or climb the rankings in competitive pickup games. Design your perfect avatar with millions of unique combinations. Do you have what it takes to become the GOAT? 🐐\n\n[**Blacktop Hoops has exited Beta and has launched**](https://www.meta.com/experiences/blacktop-hoops/4416817901687071/) launched on **Meta Quest**, **Pico**, and **Steam and is available for purchase for $29.99**!\\\n🥽 [**Play on Meta Quest:**](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/blacktop-hoops/4416817901687071/)\n\n[**🖥️**](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/blacktop-hoops/4416817901687071/)  [**Buy on Steam:**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1945250/Blacktop_Hoops/)\n\n![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3SfRQBX5Ax-UbqsFUnWU8S5qv2Q3B0JkSsytyKD8uAxb3VjY9Pdm9HorEHfyZlLnP1X7GkmsiuKdcmBVOtATz0BtVYnS9iosJJE9bDykiopHvz8u_yU8rSXwHqIu8Lvx2optoJwRqoyfrSXeEIaC9f0)\n\n[**🏀WATCH THE BLACKTOP HOOPS TRAILER HERE**](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/blacktop-hoops/4416817901687071/)\n\n[**😩Problem**](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/blacktop-hoops/4416817901687071/)\n\nMeta Quest has a similar trajectory to the iPhone but has **60x less apps per user available**. There is a massive gap in high-quality games and application on the platform. \n\n[The most popula](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1945250/Blacktop_Hoops/)r and highest retention genres for VR currently on Quest are competitive first person shooters, social virtual reality experiences, and sports/fitness.\n\nNo one has built a truly all-in-one sports game like NBA 2K, Madden, or FIFA for VR with a career mode, casual lobbies, and ranked competitive play.\n\n![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/TSn_kUARMCWrpee_nT52Zhf28KPmqiMIrsWWgwspJsFCit0JueFzqQ8iAYf4UivY-eDhR2w8RU8iFV8tFmgtwposkkj8vrqV8GnCVmCWmrH2bI0Ld6qsenweWZThn434DkTSnNZW-iJU48MqGLypC8k)\n\n⛹🏿‍♂️**Solution**⛹🏻‍♀️\n\nBlacktop Hoops was a breakout hit on Meta’s App Lab as the #1 rated App Lab title with over **16,000 reviews**, a **4\\.9 rating** and over **1 million players** across Steam and Quest pre-launch. \n\nIn Blacktop Hoops, players partake in an epic campaign mode featuring 12 unique streetball legends across four iconic streetball courts in Oakland, Los Angeles, New York and Athens. At the end of their journey to become the GOAT, players have a final showdown [against world dunk champion Jordan Kilganon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dTEXh4lxfA&t=155s&pp=ygUPam9yZGFuIGtpbGdhbm9u). \n\nFor multiplayer fans, players can hit the courts in casual 1vs1, 2vs2, 3vs3 or 4vs4 matches or climb the rankings in skill-based matchmaking across 9 ranks and 21 divisions.\n\n![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/sMARIlq83DjNfEYaDAghMSfOjmXt76LmQjeeKwrg3DwmJP1Tbn2aLYZqjMzep9vvbl8-_uAeGZT6iTQ29mZ3xW8eUj037Cs5TjkNb6qNGgq7ffSAY54C7GUTVNJylksMlEKNZteiIJYEUQruhB8Czks)\n\nOne of the biggest additions to Blacktop Hoops is its new customizable avatar system. Players have access to over 600 customizations including body type, faces, skin color, shirts, emotes,  sneakers, glasses, shirts and more. Players can mix and match cosmetics to build their perfect avatar with millions of possible combinations.\n\n![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/79PAptBHjdfZrcQOJkRFY1-MyN2gi1DJkPspQt-hupQchpGyHVXji2HTgCqKkEWmRoAakdkQBoJzQ7mJhyJCDEHNyC1CYkpKOz7ZfUA8ndroRx3eXma6I1Sw1zyuklk_JttEBwL_87SQ6VkbdseH2zU)\n\nBlacktop Hoops will also be coming soon to Playstation VR 2 and Apple Vision pro. \n\n![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/AFjzN7GkfZlKEPuqYZLtXIRK59QilOfbtbNM61ydvBuo6ByazUuE-2bXnWG9V1ErkDbygorlFJipuGKDuARQHNaMNRfqT4IB__N7RKpppnaguJJBLP1DLxZpyf3oXip3a5rXskTas80wTxRfJKOyC9I)\n\n**We need your help! Please reshare our trailer and announcements below.** \n\n1. [**📹Share Blacktop Hoops Launch trailer**](https://youtu.be/CsNGnDF5nfg?si=fNZ81Ut2FKShBz_r)\n2. 👨‍💼[**Share launch announcement on Linkedin**](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nathanielventura_virtualreality-blacktophoopsvr-metaquest-activity-7196887160568905728-hT_W?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop)\n3. [🐦**Share launch announcement on X/Twitter**](https://twitter.com/blacktophoopsVR/status/1791121677155221833)\n4. 👴[**Share launch announcement on Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/BlacktopHoopsVR/videos/276253088816960/)\n5. 📷[**Share launch announcement on Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7CJve7PS3q/)\n6. 😄[**Share launch announcement on TikTok**](https://www.tiktok.com/@blacktophoopsvr/video/7369643065579015467)\n\nIn addition, if you know of any consumer brands (i.e Nike, Adidas), location-based entertainment partners/arcades, or athletes that would be interested in partnership with the game please send me an email at [**n@vinci-games.com**](mailto:n@vinci-games.com). \\\n\\\nThank you for the support!", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/L2l-blacktop-hoops-2-0-nba-2k-for-ar-vr", "votes": 99, "created_at": "2024-05-16T17:53:47.347Z" }, { "id": 64750, "title": "🔥🏀 Blacktop Hoops - Multiplayer VR Basketball for the Metaverse", "tagline": "Blacktop Hoops is a competitive VR basketball game. Think NBA Jam meets NBA 2K in VR. ", "body": "**TL:DR** [Blacktop Hoops](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2jBJ-Hnqp8) is a streetball-inspired multiplayer VR basketball game with the most natural basketball mechanics ever designed for virtual reality. It’s built for VR with plans for full cross-platform play across console, mobile, and desktop. \n\nHi we’re Nathan and Maciej, founders of [Vinci Games](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/blacktop-hoops-by-vinci-games) and developer of Blacktop Hoops. We’re building the first AAA single player and multiplayer basketball game for VR. It’s built with intuitive mechanics so you can shoot just like Steph Curry and dunk like Lebron James.\n\n### **Problem**\n\nOver the last decade sports games have been monopolized across all major platforms with an extremely limited selection of games for players. Games like NBA 2K, FIFA, and Madden release games each year with extremely poor user reviews and limited innovation. With the rapid growth of VR adoption, no true AAA competitive sports franchises exist on VR. \n\n**Solution** \n\nBlacktop Hoops is designed with ultra-natural mechanics which allow players to chain together flashy dribble tricks, shots, and high-flying dunks to finish off AI or real-world opponents in epic games of arcade basketball.\n\nWe’ve worked with pro streetball players and dunkers like [King Handles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkU86a4MUmo) and [Jordan Kilganon](https://www.instagram.com/jordankilganon/?hl=en) for mocap animations for the game so opponents feel realistic and respond dynamically to how you play.\n\nWe also brought on world-class voiceover talent including [Bobbito Garcia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbito_Garcia) (NBA Street), [Dante Basco](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5o3NFV5OM) (Avatar the Last Airbender), and [Renee Montgomery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renee_Montgomery) (ex-WNBA Allstar).\n\n### **Founders Backstory**\n\nLast year we had a crazy idea: could you build a VR basketball game that felt as natural as playing in real life? I spent my entire life playing basketball and previously worked at Oculus and Unity. Our CTO Maciej had spent 18 years at CD Projekt RED as the lead game designer on Witcher 1 - 3. Early last year we spent two months building a prototype of a VR streetball game. After we released it on Reddit, it hit the frontpage of every major VR subreddit including /r/Gaming, /r/Virtualreality /r/Oculus, /r/SteamVR, /r/PSVR, and /r/Playstation. From that point we knew we were onto something big.\n\n### **Our Ask**\n\n1. Download and play **Blacktop Hoops - Alpha** on Quest or Steam. Share your feedback with us at [founders@vinci-games.com](mailto:founders@vinci-games.com). \n 1. [**Play on Oculus**](https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/4416817901687071/) or [**Play on Steam**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1945250/Blacktop_Hoops/)\n2. For **Investors** shoot us an email at [founders@vinci-games.com](mailto:founders@vinci-games.com).\n3. For **Collaborators** with ties to the NBA, sportswear brands (i.e. Nike, Adidas), games, VR, and the music industry send us an email at [n@vinci-games.com](mailto:n@vinci-games.com) if you’d like to partner. \n4. **Share this post!** Please help spread the word about Blacktop Hoops and [join our Discord community.](https://discord.com/invite/jggbR6QDUB)\n\n[Check out our most recent Alpha launch trailer.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1d5vzLtjxs)\n\nLearn more at →  \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=64750&key=user_uploads/701640/33ac53e3-590a-43af-8216-6695641d39c1)\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=64750&key=user_uploads/701640/d23ea271-5846-4996-93c2-526fa66f848f)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/GqM-blacktop-hoops-multiplayer-vr-basketball-for-the-metaverse", "votes": 326, "created_at": "2022-07-20T03:28:21.596Z" } ] } ]