---
title: 'Looking for a new take on virtual events? It might be Skittish'
date: '2021-02-19T09:44:52-08:00'
type: post
word_count: 298
char_count: 1949
tokens: 388
categories:
  - Events
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - Startups
tags:
  - 'andy baio'
  - Events
  - online
  - skittish
  - 'uncanny valley'
  - virtual
  - waxpancake
  - waxy
  - xoxo
  - xoxofest
---

# Looking for a new take on virtual events? It might be Skittish

If I accomplished one thing during 2020, it was successfully test driving innumerable online meeting and collaboration platforms. I mean, what else was there to do, really? And throughout that time I kept thinking, “Trying to recreate the real world meeting or event dynamic online is only going to result in [an uncomfortable and awkward Uncanny Valley situation](https://twitter.com/turoczy/status/1288506499170410497).” The true winner of the new generation of virtual events, in my opinion, was going to have to come at the problem of gathering virtually in a new and creative way. And with that in mind, [Skittish](https://skittish.com/) just might be on to something.

Designed and constructed by Portland’s [Andy Baio](https://twitter.com/waxpancake), an in person event producer in his own right with [XOXO](https://xoxofest.com/), the world of Skittish appears somewhat reminiscent of [Animal Crossing](https://animal-crossing.com/). But with some of its own unique takes on how people engage and interact in a virtual environment.

<https://waxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Skittish-Tour-February-2021-HQ.mp4>



*Music: Zeeky Beats –* [Spring Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKtCYQgXlhA)> I started outlining a hybrid of these ideas: an online event venue for large-scale gatherings that used spatial audio, didn’t assume people were comfortable being on camera, with real-time customization of the space, and built in a 3D engine for a more immersive game-like feel.
> 
> More than anything, I wanted it to be optimized for fun: interesting to explore on its own, make new friends, and a vibrant place for creators and event organizers to bring together their communities in a new way.

For more on the thinking behind this effort, visit [Waxy](https://waxy.org/2021/02/announcing-skittish/). To sign up for the waitlist, visit [Skittish](https://skittish.com/).