A Comic-Con Week Showcase of Immersive Tech, Storytelling, and Student Innovation

SAN DIEGO, CA — The UC San Diego Office of Innovation and Commercialization is proud to present The Night Market, a one-night-only immersive showcase produced by MAVERiC Studio, taking place Thursday, July 24 at Park & Market in downtown San Diego.

Designed as a Comic-Con adjacent spectacle, The Night Market invites the public into Dragon City—a fantastical realm where storytelling, XR technology, immersive theater, and next-generation design collide. This event marks a major milestone for MAVERiC Studio, the university’s creative technology hub, which empowers students to bring bold ideas to life through cutting-edge media.

“We’re not just staging a show—we’re opening a world,” said Joseph Unger, Director of MAVERiC Studio. “The Night Market isn’t a glimpse of the future. It is the future—built, coded, designed, and performed by students who aren’t waiting for permission to imagine at full scale. It’s theater, it’s tech, it’s design—but more than that, it’s an invitation. We want you to step inside these experiences, not just admire them from the outside. We’re not here to crown the best headset. We’re here to launch adventures.

That’s why it’s a Night Market. It’s not just a pop-up. It’s a living marketplace for world- builders. And everyone’s invited.”

Attendees will explore a series of deeply interactive, student-designed experiences throughout the evening. Among the featured attractions: a surreal XR Arcade filled with narrative-driven simulations and experimental games; The Dragon City Chronicles, a live digital performance of Shotguns & Sorcery™ that blends holograms, live actors, and layered digital effects; and Threaded Reverie, an immersive fashion experience merging high fantasy and digital couture. For the curious and adventurous, The Sensory Exchange offers a market of interactive installations and hidden performances, where attendees can unlock secrets through a token-based exploration system.

“We designed Dragon City to be playful, theatrical, and futuristic all at once,” said Eden Faran, a recent UC San Diego graduate and Production Coordinator of the Night Market's open arcade. “Working with MAVERiC Studio has pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. We’re building things that exist at the edge of possibility—and learning so much by doing. Seeing it come together has been one of the proudest moments of my time at UC San Diego.”

Although currently sold out of free tickets, visitors can still come experience all that Night Market has to offer and more with premium ticket packages offering early access and exclusive perks that are still available for purchase at the UC San Diego Bookstore. Every ticket and token directly funds MAVERiC Studio programs, student jobs, and ongoing creative research.

“At MAVERiC Studio, we don’t just teach tech—we teach creative courage,” added Unger. “Every experience at The Night Market is someone’s dream, brought to life through collaboration, design, and a lot of late nights. It’s a living portfolio—and it’s just the beginning, which is why we want San Diego to come and experience this wonderful dream firsthand.”

This year’s Night Market will also feature a ceremonial opening of the XR Arcade, led by UC San Diego History Professor Edward Watts, a renowned scholar of Roman history and ancient coinage. As part of this year’s experience, MAVERiC Studio has minted its own interactive coins for the first time—tokens attendees can use to access arcade simulations and hidden performances. Professor Watts’s participation underscores the symbolic bridge between ancient systems of exchange and the emerging technologies that define today’s immersive storytelling. Don’t miss out on the incredible event!

 About MAVERiC Studio

Launched by the UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization in partnership with Origami Air, MAVERiC Studio is a state-of-the-art space that empowers students to learn, create, and collaborate using cutting-edge technologies. From XR to interactive storytelling, MAVERiC helps students explore new mediums, prototype bold ideas, and even launch startups. Whether developing personal projects or working on industry- aligned collaborations, students at MAVERiC are redefining what it means to be creators in a tech-driven world. Learn more about MAVERiC Studio.

Media Contact:

Douglas Bonilla

UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization dtbonilla@ucsd.edu

Reprinted with permission from MAVERic Studio

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About Osborne Coinage:
Osborne Coinage is America's oldest private mint, founded in 1835. The company has been producing custom-made coins for over 180 years and has earned a reputation for excellence in design, quality, and customer service. With a commitment to excellence and craftsmanship, Osborne Coinage has established itself as a trusted partner for organizations and individuals seeking distinctive and meaningful coinage.