AUREA Award 2025: Europa-Park Honors Leading Tech Innovations

From January 22 to 24, 2025, Europa-Park will once again become the focal point for technological innovation and creative excellence. Now in its seventh year, the AUREA Award brings together trailblazers from the Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), and Mixed Reality (MR) sectors. The event not only offers a platform for networking but also showcases groundbreaking projects redefining the boundaries of immersive technologies.

A Prize Shaping the Future of Entertainment

The AUREA Award was launched in 2018 by Michael Mack, founder of MACK One and a pioneer in the field of Virtual Reality. Its mission is to unite creative minds from the tech and entertainment industries to actively shape the future of entertainment. "The AUREA Award brings together the best innovators in the industry to inspire and encourage bold steps in redefining the limits of technology," said Michael Mack ahead of the event.

With Europa-Park as the host venue, the award emphasizes its close connection to immersive experiences and technological advancements. The event allows participants to exchange ideas with leading experts and explore new concepts that will shape the entertainment of tomorrow.

A High-Caliber Jury to Evaluate the Best Projects

The finalists of the AUREA Award 2025 were selected from over 100 nominations submitted by leading developers and creators worldwide. This shortlist was determined by the AUREA Community, a group of experts, past winners, and jury members. These ten standout projects will now face a panel of experts tasked with selecting winners in up to five categories.

Kathleen Cohen, founder of The Collaboratorium, will once again chair the jury. She will be joined by notable industry leaders, including Thomas Wagner, managing director of VR Coaster, and Emily Olman, CEO of Hopscotch Interactive. Additional members include Frank Govaere, Animation Director at UFA; Simon Alexanderson, CTO of Motorica AI; and Dirk Freytag, president of the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW).

Outstanding Finalists and Their Projects

The finalists of this year’s AUREA Award represent the cutting edge of technological innovation. Among the standout projects is Aquascope, an immersive experience that transports users to a magical underwater world, and “The Imaginary Friend,” a moving VR experience redefining the connection between humans and technology.

Other projects include GroKit Core, a low-code platform for XR applications, and Skatrix Pro, a groundbreaking innovation that elevates mixed-reality skateboarding to a new level. These projects set new benchmarks and provide a glimpse into the future of immersive technologies.

Live Programming and Networking Opportunities

One of the highlights of the AUREA Award 2025 is a live recording of the podcast “The World Beyond,” hosted by Michael Mack. The podcast offers fascinating insights into technological advancements and future industry trends. Additionally, the event provides extensive networking opportunities where developers, industry leaders, and creatives can connect and learn from each other.

A Grand Finale: The Award Ceremony

The event culminates in a gala on January 24, 2025, at Europa-Park, where the winners will be announced and the most outstanding projects honored with the prestigious AUREA Award. This award ceremony solidifies the AUREA Award’s reputation as one of Europe’s most significant platforms for immersive technologies.

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