Today marks the last day of the Carnival celebrations here in Italy, with crowds filling the streets, reveling in the festivities. Meanwhile, I’m opting for a quieter celebration, indulging in some traditional sweets. I also have another reason to celebrate: Feedspot has ranked my blog third among the top 60 Virtual Reality websites by authority. This places me right after the heavyweights, Road To VR and Upload VR. While I noticed a few discrepancies in the ranking, like the outdated mention of the Oculus website, and I acknowledge the presence of other outstanding magazines like MIXED that weren’t included, I’m still going to bask in this recognition. It reflects the labor of eight challenging years, and I couldn’t have done it without your unwavering support. A huge thank you to all of you!
Top News of the Week
Valve Deckard Expected in 2025 at $1200
Exciting rumors about the anticipated valve Deckard have surfaced, and surprisingly, they don’t originate from the typical sources. Data miner "Gabe Follower," known for previous credible leaks, suggests that Valve Deckard is slated for a 2025 release with a price tag around $1200. Moreover, he states that Valve is prepared to release games or demos specifically tailored for Deckard, possibly including a demo from the Half-Life universe. It’s expected to run on SteamOS, like the Steam Deck, which means flatscreen SteamDeck games might be accessible in VR on Deckard. The premium price indicates top-tier specifications, despite being sold at a loss, which is bound to thrill dedicated Valve fans.
Sony Cuts PSVR 2 Price Permanently
Finally, some good news for VR enthusiasts: Sony has reduced the price of the PSVR 2 headset to $400 (€450 / £400 / ¥66,980). This change allows buyers to get either just the headset or a bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain without a price difference. Previously seen as a good but overpriced device, the price drop should increase its accessibility and improve sales. Although its library lacks a wide range of exclusives, the existing titles on Steam and through a PC adapter make the price competitive.
Meta Promotes Free-to-Play Strategy
Meta is advocating for a shift towards free-to-play games on Meta Quest, especially targeting its younger audience. Free-to-play now constitutes over 70% of Quest users’ time, prompting developers like Fast Travel Games and Owlchemy Labs to adopt this model. Despite the popularity, there are concerns about profitability, with few details on revenue data. Developers are left pondering if this model is financially viable given that revenue statistics are conspicuously absent.
Meta’s Aria Gen 2 Glasses Unveiled
Meta has revealed the latest in their research device efforts with Aria Gen 2, an advanced upgrade over the previous iteration. Not intended for commercial use, these glasses serve multiple research-oriented purposes with enhanced sensors. They’re lightweight at just 75g, boasting 6-8 hours of active use, and will soon be accessible to a limited audience of research centers.
Meta Enhances Enterprise and Educational Services
Meta is ramping up its educational and business offerings with the launch of Meta For Education and Horizon Managed Solutions. Schools can acquire VR headsets for students with comprehensive management and educational content services, while universities and businesses can enjoy integrated device management solutions. Despite slightly higher enterprise pricing, this initiative aims to foster VR’s role in education and enterprise environments.
News You Shouldn’t Miss
HTC’s New ‘VIVERSE Worlds’ Platform
HTC has rolled out "VIVERSE Worlds," a platform designed to be akin to "YouTube for 3D Content." Boasting a fully web-based functionality, it offers users the ease of access without software installation, potentially setting a new standard with its efficient Vive Polygon Streaming technology.
AMD’s New Graphics Cards
AMD is gearing up to release the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards, presenting a sturdy challenge to Nvidia’s offerings. These cards, launching on March 6, carry the potential to significantly uplift gamers’ and developers’ visual experiences.
Windows Games on Pico 4 Ultra Through Winlator
A fascinating YouTube demonstration by Virtually Real shows games like Crysis running on Pico 4 Ultra. Using Winlator, a Windows emulator on Android, it showcases how vintage Windows games can now be experienced natively in VR.
Concerns with Horizon Store
The Horizon Store has become a hot topic, rife with clone games and shovelware. A Reddit user pointed out the oversaturation with Gorilla Tag clones, indicating a challenging environment for aspiring developers seeking unique visibility.
Meta Discontinues Move
Meta has officially bid farewell to its fitness tracking app, Move, citing outdated technology. This move leaves users reminiscing about a service that had once taken over a startup’s original idea, only to abandon it years later.
Advancements in Realistic Avatar Creation
Meta and the University Of Munich are pushing boundaries with Avat3r, a system that creates realistic avatars from just a few smartphone photos, promising enhancements in VR user personalization and interaction.
VR’s Flavor Frontier
In a whimsical turn of events, Ohio State University is tinkering with the concept of experiencing taste in VR, further testament to VR’s expanding sense simulation adventures.
Content Highlights
For those seeking fresh VR content, here are some actionable updates:
- Steam Next Fest has rolled out 20 free VR demos.
- Stratogun plans a nostalgic launch later this year.
- Sportvida CyberDash is gearing up for a Quest and PC VR release.
- Orion Drift, a new venture from Gorilla Tag’s creators, debuts in Early Access.
- Symphoni, a mixed reality rhythm game, is set for March 6, while Not Like Us makes a DLC appearance in Beat Saber.
Stay tuned as games like GORN 2 and VR time travel adventure Wanderer prepare to leave their marks on the VR landscape.
With so much happening in the VR space, both in hardware and content, it’s exhilarating to watch as the industry evolves. Thank you once more for your unwavering support, and remember, we’re here to experience this thrilling journey together.
