With today marking the grand finale of the colorful Carnival in Italy, people are out in droves, partying on the streets. As for me, I’m celebrating in my own sweet style with some traditional treats that come out every year at this time. But there’s an added reason for my joy today: I’ve been named 3rd in Feedspot’s list of the top 60 Virtual Reality websites! Nestled just behind Road To VR and Upload VR, which are giants in this space, it’s an honor that doesn’t come without its quirks. The list includes entries like the defunct Oculus website, and there are certainly publications like MIXED that deserve recognition but aren’t listed. Despite feeling like I certainly don’t deserve this spot over these mammoth names, I’m taking this moment to savor a reward for eight years of blogging. My deepest thanks go out to all of you who’ve supported me along the way!
Big News This Week
Valve Deckard Might Launch in 2025 Priced at $1200
An exciting rumor is swirling around Valve Deckard, thanks to data miner "Gabe Follower," suggesting the VR headset might debut in 2025 for around $1200. From what Gabe reports, it seems that Valve may bundle it with new games or demos that are already complete, potentially including a demo from the Half-Life series as hinted by Tyler McVicker of Valve News Network. As expected, the headset could use SteamOS and likely support Steam Deck flat-screen games in VR, courtesy of its game controller-like setup via Roy controllers. Despite the headset’s premium price point, Gabe hints it may still retail at a loss, possibly pointing to high-end specifications likely to thrill the hardcore Valve enthusiasts.
More insight on the Valve Deckard launch | Potential Half-Life inclusion
Other Noteworthy News
Permanent Price Cut for Sony’s PSVR 2
Sony’s made a big move by slashing the PSVR 2’s price down to $400. This adjustment also applies to bundles featuring the Horizon Call of the Mountain game, posing the question: who wouldn’t go for the extra game if the price remains unchanged? Previously priced higher than the PS5, this headset saw improved sales after temporary discounts, making this permanent price drop a wise decision. Although exclusive content remains limited, the option to connect with PC games via a specific adapter adds significant value. This $400 price tag potentially makes the PSVR 2 a more appealing proposition.
A deeper dive into ongoing deals
Free-to-Play Taking Over Quest
Meta’s indicating a shift towards free-to-play models, driven by Quest’s youthful audience, with over 70% of user time now spent on such experiences. Following suit, developers like Fast Travel Games have made games like Mannequin free to play, and Dimensional Double Shift reached 500,000 downloads without charging upfront. While the trend is undeniable, concerns about revenue linger. Free playtime doesn’t necessarily translate to earnings, as suggested by the lack of concrete figures from Meta on profits. It’s crucial for developers to understand whether this model is sustainable, particularly given standout cases like Gorilla Tag.
More details on the free-to-play trend | Insights into popular games
Meta Unveils Aria Gen 2 Glasses
Unveiled as an advancement of Project Aria, Meta’s Aria Gen 2 is a research tool, not a commercial device, packed with sensors to collect ambient and biometric information for AI model training. Upgrades include a variety of advanced sensors and a custom Meta chip enabling functions like on-device tracking and speech recognition. Despite its enhancements, the Aria Gen 2 remains lightweight at just 75 grams, allowing for 6-8 hours of usage. Currently only available to close partners, wider access for research purposes is on the horizon.
Further exploration of Aria Gen 2 capabilities
Upgrades in Meta’s Educational Offerings
Meta is expanding its educational partnerships with the updated Meta For Education program, which introduces tools for university and enterprise use. Meta now offers a head mount display management system and access to educational VR content for schools. Plus, over 30 digital twin campuses have been established on the Engage XR platform. Statistics from Meta claim high engagement and improved student performance using VR, though skepticism remains due to the lack of independent verification. Meanwhile, Meta’s enterprise-facing "Horizon Managed Solutions" now supports integration with third-party device management systems, marking a user-friendly improvement that schools and businesses will appreciate.
Discover more about Meta’s educational initiatives and enterprise solutions
Quick Bites of Tech Improvements
HTC is daringly entering the 3D content scene with "VIVERSE Worlds," a web-based platform intended to ease access to VR experiences without additional installations. Meanwhile, AMD preps to ship its latest graphics cards, potentially challenging NVIDIA with solid, competitive prices and future-ready specs.
In yet another intriguing twist, YouTube’s Virtually Real shows Pico 4 Ultra playing Windows games via Winlator, suggesting headsets might run old PC games natively—a development many gamers will find quite exciting.
Discover more about new graphics and experiments in gaming
Community Voices and Market Trends
XR enthusiasts are voicing concerns over the Horizon Store’s quality control, pointing out the influx of low-quality clones that dominate the listings. Meanwhile, Meta’s discontinuation of the Move fitness tracker underscores the harsh realities of app viability based on usage and tech lifecycle. This discontinuation, after previously crowding out the likes of YUR, offers lessons in market dynamics and the importance of adaptability.
Learn more about Horizon Store dynamics | Insights into recent tech discontinuation
Showcasing Tech Achievements
Meta Reality Labs and the University Of Munich present Avat3r, a project crafting surprisingly realistic avatars from minimal images—a leap forward in avatar realism led by striking visual advancements.
In the realm of sensory exploration, Ohio State University continues to delve into virtual taste. Their e-taste interface promises a tantalizing prospect of flavor recreation, from simple everyday tastes to more adventurous culinary experiences in the virtual world.
An intellectual dive into avatar creation and virtual taste research
Fresh VR Content Awaits
With the expansive debut of "The VR Critic" by Dr. Luke Buckmaster, VR enthusiasts have a treasure trove of genuine reviews to explore. He launches his site with a deep catalog of over 100 pieces, poised to become a valuable resource for those eager to dive deep into VR worlds.
Explore VR reviews from The VR Critic
New Releases and Reviews
Steady streams of VR content continue to captivate. From demos at the Steam Next Fest to innovative game developments like Orion Drift and the promising sequel GORN 2, players have a diverse selection awaiting them. Games offer varied experiences, from nostalgic shoots to the immersion of farming simulations, showcasing the evolving landscape of virtual entertainment.
Stay updated on VR releases and exciting game news
Industry Insights
Rockstar is reportedly aiming to push GTA 6 into new realms as a future metaverse platform, while Lumus is advancing with waveguides boasting broad fields of view fitting glasses-like frames. These steps signal exciting possibilities for VR and AR in entertainment and design.
Dive deep into innovations in VR platforms and hardware advancements
Friends’ News and Fun Tidbits
Game studio Cause+Christi brings “SHIP HAPPENS” to life, a WebXR escape room game, demonstrating the playful possibilities with free-to-play, web-based experiences. Meanwhile, a lighthearted series of XR-themed jokes keeps spirits lifted as the VR world continues to expand.
Engage with community games and enjoy doses of creativity
Support in Need
While I typically highlight ways to support my work, this time I urge you to consider extending your hand to the people affected by war, through donations to the Red Cross for Ukraine. Your contributions, modest as they may be, provide crucial aid in life-changing circumstances.
Contribute to the Red Cross for Ukraine
Acknowledgments and Appreciation
Below, let me extend heartfelt gratitude to my Patreon supporters, whose generosity drives the work I do. Your backing is invaluable, and I encourage others to join this spectacular community.
Thanking the supportive community on Patreon
Direct link to support Ukraine through the Red Cross
(Header created by Afference)
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