The Obscura Society – Where Curiosity Goes to Hang Out
Atlas Obscura and New Canvas just announced The Obscura Society, a narrative-driven virtual lounge built for shared discovery. Think “digital third place,” but for the kind of curiosity that makes you click one more link. And then three more.
The expected launch window is early 2026.
A WebXR lounge you can actually visit
The Obscura Society is built with HTC‘s VIVERSE. It will be accessible across devices on VIVERSE Worlds, and it will also be embedded inside AtlasObscura.com.
The cross-device piece matters here, as social spaces only work when it’s easy for people to show up.
A “bar” where the bartender serves strange stories
This space is described as part speakeasy, part chamber of wonders. The experience is powered by an AI bartender that helps source and serve stories from Atlas Obscura’s editorial archive.
You can explore surprising histories behind drinks, forgotten rituals, and odd cultural moments. It’s built for wandering, not rushing.
A New Kind of Social Storytelling
New Canvas calls this their first immersive social lounge. It’s also the first in a planned series of “Lounges,” which are persistent, social, narrative spaces that blend worldbuilding, AI interaction, and narrative design.
At its best, this format turns a story into a place. It gives people a reason to return, bring friends, and discover something new together.
Thoughts from Atlas Obscura, New Canvas, and VIVERSE leaders:
“Atlas Obscura has always been about revealing hidden wonders and empowering people to discover mind-expanding experiences wherever they are,” said Doug Baldinger, Chief Content Officer, Atlas Obscura Entertainment.
“The Obscura Society is where curiosity becomes something we can explore together,” said Nathan Anderson, Co-founder & CEO at New Canvas.
“VIVERSE is purpose-built for open WebXR worlds that work across devices,” said Andranik Aslanyan, Head of Growth, HTC VIVERSE.
See You in the Lounge
The Obscura Society is expected to launch in early 2026. If you love strange stories and social exploration, keep it on your radar.
And if you want to publish your own cross-device WebXR experiences, review documentation and explore what you can build and share on VIVERSE.
