Sydney collective Ultravirus creates 'virtual trip emulator' soundtracked by 40 hours of trance

Ultravirus has curated 40 hours of trance for a 3D browser game called dr33mphaz3r.

The Sydney label headed up by Thick Owens, one of the organisers of local experimental festival Soft Centre, has been focused on showcasing internet subcultures and what it calls digital micro-genres. The dr33mphaz3r concept sees Ultravirus further embed itself into the online world by inviting users to explore a 3D world where different rooms have a rotation of different mixes and live sets playing. The lineup features overseas contributors like DJ Marcelle, Spekki Webu, Woody92, !luuli and Vox supreme as well as homegrown acts Harold, D-Grade, Mija Healey, s1m0nc3ll0 and Synergetix.

Owens describes dr33mphaz3r as “a virtual trip emulator, equal parts inspired by the PC Dos Demo Scene, early PS1 aesthetics and Earthcore 1999.” Players create a floating eyeball avatar for a small signup fee and roam between areas with other users in an MMORPG style. The four areas each have a particular musical and visual style—one is “swampy and organic, akin to a chill-out space,” while another is “soundtracked by 200BPM+ mayhem (psycore, hi-tek, hard tek).”

Check out some screenshots from the dr33mphaz3r environment.