Samantha Tauber

Samantha Tauber

Founder, Multi-Media Artist, Next-Gen Storyteller

VNCCII

Samantha Tauber

What has been your business/work highlight of 2024 so far?

The biggest highlight for VNCCII in 2024 was receiving the opportunity to send my debut science fiction novel to the Moon on NASA’s Astrobotics Griffin Lander mission via NanoFiche technology. NanoFiche is a superior space-age archival storage and analog technology with extremely high storage capacity. It’s made from nickel and gold and is highly resistant to extreme temperatures and solar radiation. The gravitas of sending my novel to the Moon reminds us that the perception of Art can serve as time capsules or artefacts for our collective future. This key Moon mission has inspired all my XR and multimedia/gaming ventures, including my upcoming UEFN game featuring the VNCCII avatar. The UEFN game is scheduled to be released in January 2025 which will demonstrate a glimpse into the science fiction world of VNCCII and Planet ‘Galacta.i.ssance.’ The VNCCII music embedded into the UEFN gaming experience also coincides with the launch of three of my original compositions being sent to Deep Space in January 2025 in partnership with LifeShip and AstroForge.

Who is your business hero and why?

Steve Jobs because he represents a true leader in the technology and marketing industry. I often draw upon this famous quote for inspiration – “we’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why even be here?”

What’s the biggest business mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?

I can’t think of any ‘mistakes’ for the VNCCII project. When you’re leading the way and paving your own lane, it’s imperative to retain a long-term North Star vision and Moonshot. The biggest lesson would be to never give up and always ground your business in your ultimate transformational purpose.

What’s the most inspirational book you’ve ever read and why?

“The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution” by Frank White because it explores the profound cognitive shift that astronauts experience when viewing Earth from space – what he calls the ‘Overview Effect’. This can also be experienced in VR and XR simulations. This perspective fosters a sense of interconnectedness and a deeper understanding of the fragility of our planet, and can lead to a heightened sense of environmental responsibility through the uplifting of humanity’s collective consciousness.

What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role in 2024?

Continuing to carve out my own blueprint as a next-gen storytelling leader.

What technology will have the greatest impact on your business this year and why?

Unreal Engine and Unreal Editor For Fortnite. UEFN truly represents the next-generation of user-generated content due to the acceleration of 3D and genAI technologies. The future is community and the creator economy and UEFN is a fantastic technological tool for brands to create loyalty and co-creation with their community. UEFN is the gateway to a new creator economy for creation, distribution, and monetisation of content and virtual assets.