Italy’s streets are buzzing with festive energy as the Carnival reaches its grand finale. Yet, my celebration takes a different route—indulging in traditional sweets from this jubilant season. There’s another reason for my personal revelry: Feedspot has honored my blog by placing it third among the top 60 Virtual Reality websites, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the revered Road To VR and Upload VR. While there are some discrepancies in the rankings—such as including the now-nonexistent Oculus website—and some outstanding sites like MIXED missing from the list, it’s a moment of pride for me. Despite feeling that my blog doesn’t deserve such high praise, perhaps not even fourth or fifth place, it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication I’ve poured into it over these eight years. So here’s to this unexpected but delightful recognition and a heartfelt thank you to all who have supported me along this journey!
Top News of the Week:
Valve Deckard’s Possible 2025 Launch:
Exciting whispers are swirling around Valve’s upcoming VR headset, Deckard. This time, the buzz comes from data miner Gabe Follower, known for his credible leaks. He suggests that the Deckard might launch in 2025, carrying a price tag close to $1,200. Moreover, Valve might already have some Deckard-specific games or demos ready, possibly featuring content from the Half-Life universe, as hinted by Tyler McVicker of Valve News Network. The device is rumored to run on SteamOS, similar to the Steam Deck, and might support SteamDeck flat-screen games in VR, thanks to the gamepad-style Roy controllers. While the hefty price suggests Deckard’s high-end capabilities, it’s reportedly still being sold at a loss, hinting at premium specifications that will please loyal Valve fans.
Want More? Dive into More Info on Valve Deckard’s Release.
Other Exciting News:
Sony’s Permanent Price Drop for PSVR 2:
In a surprise move, Sony has slashed the price of their PSVR 2 headset to $400 (€450 / £400 / ¥66,980), applicable whether you snag just the headset or get it bundled with Horizon Call of the Mountain. This price adjustment stems from initial high costs outstripping the PS5, leading to sluggish sales until temporary discounts boosted their appeal. Although PSVR 2’s exclusive game library isn’t vast, there’s now a decent selection. With the inclusion of a PC adapter allowing Steam game access, the $400 price tag seems reasonable, potentially enhancing the PSVR 2 ecosystem significantly.
For Further Insight, Learn More Here.
Quest’s Shift to Free-to-Play Titles:
Meta is strongly advocating for developers to adopt free-to-play models for the young audience engaged with Meta Quest. Recently, the company noted that 70% of Quest users’ time is devoted to free-to-play experiences. This trend is catching on, with Fast Travel Games’ "Mannequin" and Owlchemy Labs’ "Dimensional Double Shift" embracing the freemium model, witnessing substantial downloads. However, while user engagement is high, revenue statistics remain undisclosed, raising questions about the financial viability of this model. Meta, perhaps, should provide clarity on the median revenue for games on their Horizon Store—a figure crucial for helping developers make informed business decisions.
Explore More on Free-to-Play Statistics and Implications Here.
Meta’s Aria Gen 2 Glasses Launch:
Meta unveils the second iteration of its Aria glasses, designed for research rather than commercial use. Packed with advanced sensors—including position-tracking cameras, eye-tracking capabilities, and spatial microphones—the glasses also feature a powerful Meta chip for on-device processing. Despite this technology bundle, it weighs just 75g, offering 6 to 8 hours of use. Currently limited to select partners, wider availability for research institutions is anticipated later this year.
Detailed Info on Aria Gen 2 Glasses Can Be Found Here.
Meta Enhances Enterprise and Educational Offerings:
With updates to its educational and enterprise tools, Meta introduces the now publicly available Meta For Education program, after a lengthy beta phase. This initiative supports schools in acquiring headsets for students, complemented by device management services and access to a content library geared towards education. Meta also collaborates with VictoryXR to establish digital twin campuses through Engage XR, enhancing remote learning experiences.
For Business Users, Meta unrolls "Horizon Managed Solutions" as a rebranded, improved service. A significant feature is its compatibility with third-party device management systems, an appreciated shift for organizations relying on existing solutions. Educational headsets come at slightly higher prices than consumer versions, with flexible subscription options to suit institutional needs.
Check Out More on Meta’s New Educational Tools Here.
News in Brief:
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HTC unveils VIVERSE Worlds: This new platform seeks to be the "YouTube of 3D Content," enabling web-based integration and requiring no installations for user access. With efficient performance thanks to Vive Polygon Streaming, it’s a unique addition to the VR world.
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AMD Launches New Graphics Cards: Competing with NVIDIA, AMD introduces the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, featuring second-gen AI accelerators and high-end specs at competitive prices.
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Windows Gaming on Pico 4 Ultra via Winlator: A fascinating video by Virtually Real demonstrates running Crysis on the Pico 4 Ultra using Winlator, opening avenues for playing older Windows games directly on VR headsets.
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Challenges with Horizon Store’s Curation Surfaces: Increasing complaints focus on how the store is flooded with uninspired clones, particularly of Gorilla Tag, affecting overall user experience.
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Meta’s Move Program Ends: With outdated technology, Meta retires its Move app, raising concerns over its decision, considering its initial impact on the startup YUR.
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Advancements in Realistic Avatars by Meta: A new project, Avat3r, showcases the creation of realistic avatars from minimal photo input, elevating realism in digital interactions.
- New Ventures in Virtual Taste Simulation: The Ohio State University explores virtual taste, inching closer to realistic flavor experiences in VR.
New Content Corner:
Discover freshly launched or upcoming VR content that promises new dimensions of engagement and interactivity—from retro-style shooters embracing VR to physically challenging fitness games finding their way to platforms like Quest.
For Detailed Content Previews, Visit Here.
Content Reviews to Check Out:
Keen on diving into new VR content? Read reviews on recent VR demos and emerging games, helping you decide what experiences are worth your time.
Get Comprehensive Reviews Here.
Other Headlines:
- GTA 6 is shaping up as a potential metaverse hub with "Project Rome."
- VR sees new strides as a tool for inducing lucid dreams.
- Stress Level Zero details why PC VR exclusivity isn’t financially sustainable.
- Lumus announces a cutting-edge waveguide with impressive field-of-view capabilities.
- Google might be testing boards catering to future Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 chips.
Partner and Community Updates:
Creative studio Cause+Christi partners with HTC VIVERSE to bring their first WebXR-driven escape room game, SHIP HAPPENS, delivering immersive, interactive experiences directly online, no downloads needed.
Get More Information on SHIP HAPPENS Here.
A Few Laughs to End:
Unwind with some light-hearted XR humor shared around the web, poking fun at the quirks and challenges of the virtual domain.
Lastly, a sincere appeal: consider supporting those affected by conflict by donating to the Red Cross, offering relief in turbulent times. The unwavering support of my Patreon donors underpins this effort and many others.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine Here.
Note: This blog contains affiliate links to sustain operations, from which I earn a small commission on purchases through them.
