Virtual Reality

But until recently, the only way to build XR apps for Meta's headsets was with a game engine, such as Unity or Unreal, and Meta didn't provide any kind of UI framework for either. This is why many apps on your iPhone use the system design language, while every app on Quest, even the most basic experiences, the UI feels completely different, often custom-made by the developer or imported from the Unity Asset Store.

Meta has finally released a solution to this. It's called the Horizon OS UI Set, part of v69 of the Meta XR Interaction SDK for Unity, and provides Unity developers with the components to build interfaces that feel cohesive with Horizon OS.

According to the latest edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple is still on track to launch the lower end Apple Vision headset as early as next year. He says it’ll cost around $2000.

Apple debuted Apple Vision Pro earlier this year at $3499, but it seems the company is still quickly trying to figure out a successor. Some reports earlier this year suggested that Apple had halted Vision Pro development to focus on the cheaper headset, and that still seems to be the case – likely because Vision Pro’s premium price tag puts spatial computing out of reach for many.

Gurman says that the lower-end headset will probably use an inferior processor and cheaper materials. Vision Pro is currently equipped with an M2 chip, so I could see Apple equipping an A series chipset on the cheaper headset, like the A18 Pro – which is about as fast as an M1. As for materials, there’ll likely be more plastic involved, rather than fully being aluminum and glass.

The report also says that the headset will likely drop the EyeSight feature introduced on Apple Vision Pro, which uses lenticular displays to pass through the users eyes to the outside of the headset, allowing people around them to still “see” their eyes. It was a little gimmicky in my opinion, but an interesting feature. However, it was costly to have another display on the outside, and that display will be gone on the cheaper headset.

Apple reportedly expects the cheaper Apple Vision headset to sell twice as well as Apple Vision Pro, which isn’t saying much. Apple Vision Pro 2 is also on track for 2026 with a faster chipset.

The selloff came just weeks after Shiftall announced a new headset, MeganeX superlight, after failing to deliver the original MeganeX it teased in 2022 and said it would ship in 2023.

And as unbelievable as it may sound, Shiftall is doing it again. It won't actually be shipping the MeganeX superlight it announced earlier this year, and instead opened preorders for a new "MeganeX superlight 8K".

The Avalanche app can be wishlisted, but not actually redeemed or purchased, and thus can't be downloaded or used. The store lists the app's release date as 24 July 2024, three months ago, which may be the time it was uploaded to the store system. The store page description reads "Download to test out the latest cloud streamed titles on Avalanche", and its images include screenshots of Lone Echo, a blockbuster Oculus Rift game from 2017 that hasn't been ported to Quest, as well as Beat Saber and the Unreal Engine's City Sample.

Between 2016 and 2021 Facebook invested hundreds of millions of dollars to ship a number of PC Oculus Rift blockbusters like Lone Echo and Asgard's Wrath. While these games can be played on Quest today via a gaming PC over Wi-Fi or USB, most Quest users don't own a gaming PC. Avalanche being listed on the store may suggest Meta is getting closer to releasing it as a product, bringing these games to a much wider audience.

Of course, the experience of cloud streaming heavily depends on the quality of the user’s internet connection. There is a potential for high latency if the server is far away, and for judder caused by packet loss if the connection quality is poor. In late 2020 John Carmack had this to say, comparing it to local network streaming: “obviously it’s even worse, obviously more people are going to find that unacceptable and it will be a terrible experience for more people, but still I am quite confident that for some people in some situations it’s still going to be quite valuable”.

We've seen free apps like Rec Room achieve a large install base outside VR, but Walkabout Mini Golf may be one of the first to make the leap from VR to iPhone as a paid app featuring private rooms for multiplayer connecting to all major VR headsets.

I flew all the way to Tokyo, Japan to check out the future of high-end PCVR gaming: the MeganeX superlight 8k! The device is the first 4k microOLED panel headset that will come to consumers! Find out everything you need to know about the headset and see my very first impressions of it!

The question that everyone is asking is answered. FOV is around 100.

From October 14, you can play Final Fury at the next Steam Next Fest. The VR fighting game mixes arcade action with physical gameplay in VR. You step into the arena as a fighter and experience the fights up close. Two fighters await you in the demo: Tempest and Glitch. The development team has been working intensively on the gameplay and improving the gesture mechanics since the end of 2023.

Abraham Aguero, Creative Director at Kluge Interactive, explains the motivation behind Final Fury: "We wanted to recreate the thrill of the arcade era. In VR, you become the fighter instead of controlling one from a distance." The team promises a unique fighting game experience that takes full advantage of the immersion of VR.

Final Fury joins a growing list of fighting games attempting to bring the genre to Virutal Reality. While early attempts often struggled with the limitations of VR technology, newer titles like Final Fury take advantage of the improved tracking capabilities of modern VR headsets.

Unlike traditional fighting games, where players perform combos and special moves via controller inputs, VR fighting games rely on natural, physical movements. This not only increases immersion, but also makes the gameplay more accessible for newcomers.

The integration of online multiplayer with rollback netcode is also an important step for VR fighting games. This technology reduces latency and ensures a smoother online experience, which is crucial for fast, reaction-based games such as fighting games.

The MeganeX superlight 8K is not just another VR headset. It stands out with its super-lightweight design, 4K micro OLED display per eye, and SteamVR tracking compatibility. This unique combination ensures unparalleled lightness and comfort, making it a top choice for VR enthusiasts. The 10-bit HDR-compatible 4K resolution micro OLED panels, driven at 90 Hz, and the pancake lenses, which are wholly new and designed by Panasonic Group, deliver a world-class VR visual experience.

Pre-order Bonus 3-Year Warranty (Standard 1 Year + 2-Year Extension) ‍ $1,899

Product Name MeganeX superlight 8K Part number SVP-VGC3B Price $1,899 Display 1.35 inch Micro OLED / 10 bit Contrast Ratio 1,000,000:1 Resolution 3552 x 3840 per eye (7104 x 3840 pixels for both eyes) Color Depth 8 bit: 256 gradations 10 bit: 1024 gradations Color Gamut 95% DCI-P3 coverage HDR Supported via SteamVR Refresh Rate 90Hz Lens Pancake lens Interpupillary Distance (IPD) 58-72 mm (electrically adjustable) Focus Adjustment 0D to -7D Add-on prescription lens Announce soon Weight Less than 185g (6.5 oz)* *Note: Main body only Wearing Method Forehead pad + Head strap or Handheld adapter Input (Microphone) Built-in dual microphones with beam forming Tracking 6DoF head tracking with SteamVR tracking *Note: Base station 1.0 or 2.0 required Connectivity PC: DisplayPort + USB 2.0 Headset side: USB Type-C *Note: Uses included converter box Package Contents MeganeX superlight 8K / Light shade / Forehead pad/ Head strap / USB Type-C cable (9.8 ft / 3 m) / USB Type-C cable (3.3 ft / 1 m) / DisplayPort cable / AC adapter / Converter box / X2 dongle (for SteamVR controller) / Handheld adapter / Safety precautions / Warranty card Minimum PC requirements

Processor Intel ® Core™ i3-8100T or AMD Ryzen™ 3 2300X or equivalent GPU NVIDIA RTX Ampere architecture series NVIDIA Turing GPU architecture NVIDIA Ada Generation GPUs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or higher *Note: The product will not operate with GPUs other than those listed above, such as the AMD Radeon series. *Note: The number of monitors connected simultaneously with MeganeX superlight 8K depends on the performance of the GPU. RAM 8 GB RAM or more Connecting DisplayPort 1.4 USB2.0 OS Windows® 10 Supported VR platform SteamVR

Recently revealed by Another Axiom, Orion Drift is a sci-fi VR sports game that aims to put its own spin on major sports like soccer or volleyball using hand-based locomotion. It splits each sport into different districts with organized events, offering a social hub where up to 200 players can jump in simultaneously as customizable robots.

Created by ByOwls Inc, Whispers of the Void sees you playing a space relic hunter commissioned to retrieve an unusual artifact from a desert planet that leads into a galaxy-wide conspiracy. You can pilot a spaceship guided by an alien frog, explore ancient tombs and alien landscapes, and solve environmental puzzles to uncover the mystery.

According to an announcement from developer Smartmelon Games and publisher Fast Travel Games, Band Space will be released on October 24 for $19.99 on Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S and other Quest headsets, as well as on Steam for PC VR. The VR game allows up to four players to make music together in VR or mixed reality.

At launch, Band Space offers 30 tracks from various artists, including Jason Bowld from Bullet For My Valentine and Johnny Lloyd from Tribes. The official soundtrack is already available on Spotify and YouTube. You can find a link in the source below the article. The developers are planning to possibly add more songs as DLC in the future.

A special feature of Band Space is the integration of Mod.io for the single player mode. This allows fans to edit and share their own music. According to the developers, support for mods in multiplayer mode is currently in the works

FlipVR is a new style VR controller. Its main feature is the ability to flip the control panel (control buttons, thumbstick, grip, and trigger) from the palm side to the back of the hand with a twist of the wrist.

In the flipped state, it's possible to grab a drink, use a keyboard or mouse, or play an instrument in the real world without losing hand position tracking. Simply flipping it back returns it to its original state (Same as standard controller).

A user on the GitHub platform with the nickname praydog has created a mod that allows you to experience the remake in VR. With the right equipment and powerful hardware, you can enjoy this acclaimed game in VR mode. However, the mod is quite demanding, so you'll need a high-spec PC to have an enjoyable experience.

I bet many fans of the game have wanted to try it out in VR for years, and now they finally have the chance since the mod is available for free. Of course, the mod doesn’t currently support motion controls or other features, but the gaming community will likely begin working on those additions soon. Nevertheless, the mod is fully playable in its current version (4.8 – 5.4).

While many of these studios continue to deliver content, outside of Batman: Arkham Shadow, we’re still largely waiting to see what’s next. And although you’d expect Meta to keep the exclusive games coming at a regular pace, there are a few factors at play that suggest Meta may actually be slowing down, rather than speeding up its push for VR content.

Firstly, the games industry as a whole is feeling the effects of the economic downturn, partially spurred by rapid post-COVID inflation and war-driven energy disruptions. Layoffs are a regular occurrence, and we don’t expect the headlines to change any time soon. Notably, Meta hasn’t acquired any VR studio since 2022.

What is Bugsnax VR? Bugsnax VR is now available through a FREE beta update on the Steam Windows version. It allows you to play the entire game in virtual reality, with the option to seamlessly switch back to a flatscreen (non-VR) playthrough at any time using your existing saves.

How do I access Bugsnax VR? In Steam, install Bugsnax, right-click it within the library and select Properties. Go to the Betas tab and enter the code “virtualreality”. Select vrtest from the dropdown and update the game. Launch SteamVR before opening Bugsnax to play in VR.

IMPORTANT: Please go to SteamVR Settings, select to Show Advanced Settings, and change the option Dashboard > “Present Non-VR Applications on Theater Screen Upon Launch” to “Off”. Because this test is being done on a beta, Steam does not know this is a VR game and will otherwise erroneously display screen transitions during loading periods. Click here for a screenshot of the Settings Menu [i.imgur.com]

What is supported by Bugsnax VR? The game was primarily tested using Quest 2/3, Valve Index, and PSVR2 along with their respective controllers. Vive wands are not supported. Gamepad support is available for those who prefer to play without motion controllers.

The game offers both teleport and continuous movement options, as well as snap camera rotation with customizable degree settings. It can be played seated or standing, in room-scale or stationary setups. Left-handed mode is also available.

Why is this being soft launched? Much of the work on VR was done as a fun side project, but it’s now reaching a point where we believe it could be worth a public release. Before we officially list VR as supported on our Steam Store page, we want to check for any major issues or omissions. It will continue to be a free update if publicly launched to everyone.

Will Bugsnax VR be coming to other platforms? There are currently no plans for other platforms, including PSVR2, Meta Quest standalone, or Apple Vision Pro. Bugsnax was created using a custom game engine, making full porting time-consuming. We intend to update the Windows version of Bugsnax on Epic Games Store to include SteamVR support if our soft launch concludes successfully.

In a previous emailed statement, a spokesperson clarified that photos and videos captured on Ray-Ban Meta are not used by Meta for training as long as the user doesn’t submit them to AI. However, once you ask Meta AI to analyze them, those photos fall under a completely different set of policies.

In other words, the company is using its first consumer AI device to create a massive stockpile of data that could be used to create ever-more powerful generations of AI models. The only way to “opt out” is to simply not use Meta’s multimodal AI features in the first place.

Having troubles deciding like me? Reddit and youtube not helping? Just spend several hours researching and thinking about it like me! Here's where my thoughts have landed. I'm ordering the 3s 128gb.

MSRP: 512gb quest 3 ($679) or 128/256 quest 3s ($399/$549) + 5% tax

https://www.meta.com/ca/quest/compare/

People on Facebook marketplace asking $200 for Quest 2, may include good strap on. Similar specs to 3s minus snapdragon gen 2 and passthrough colour.

Quest 4 rumoured 1.5-2 years, 2026

~500g is the weight of a 350 page book. Attach one to your face like I did to "feel VR". We are not on the moon yet.

I like comparing costs by looking at how much it costs per month.

Cost per month (year 1, year 2, year 3 including $50 apps each year):

$25/17/13: 2

$43/26/19: 3s

$56/32/23: 3s

$68/38/27: 3

If you sell 2 years from now, the total cost per month over 2 years is:

$11: 2

$20: 3s

$24: 3s

$28: 3

All of these fit into my 'entertainment' budget, but I don't expect to use it a lot, mostly for movies, and I don't like paying for storage. I get by, I always do. I had the Go and found it adequate. I intend to lend it out to friends and family for long periods of time. I think the headsets are still too heavy, and even though the 3 is an improvement in critical areas I think it's incremental and I know I'm going to want the Quest 4 or whatever comes next. If I were on the edge of my budget even considering this gadget then a used 2 would be a solid choice (eg. imo when discretionary spending is <$10,000/yr). The new processor in the quest 3s may extend it's life bringing the total cost down even though it loses the 3.5 jack for some reason.

It’s still early days for Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition, but there’s plenty to love already. The bright pastoral world is quaint and rendered carefully, summoning a fitting landscape for tending to horses, and this combination of ranching and nurturing tasks creates a surprisingly relaxing atmosphere. The highlight was, of course, the racing, which, despite any bouts of motion sickness on my part, felt approachable due to its straightforward control scheme. I’m keen to return to the saddle and try my luck again soon. Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition is coming to PC VR and the Meta Quest platform in Q2 2025. It's also confirmed for Apple Vision Pro.

It seems like it's out in Europe somewhere, but I can't find it to buy in the USA. Maybe it's not out here yet? I can find a ton of reviews for it though so I'm confused.

Second does it have SteamVR integration?

Third are there other Headset's (not Meta) that have SteamVR integrated?

At this year's Gamescom, we had the chance to check out some of the great VR games that will be released this year. Besides the enchanting Escaping Wonderland and the potential VR hit Batman: Arkham Shadow, one of the highlights was Vertigo Games' narrative VR survival horror shooter Metro Awakening VR, which will be released on November 7th for Playstation VR 2, Meta Quest 3, Quest 2 and PC VR via Steam and Viveport.

Metro Awakening VR simply looks great on the Playstation VR 2. The play of light and shadow in the narrow corridors creates an insanely oppressive horror atmosphere. The constant scarcity of resources such as ammunition, electricity, and light also keeps the tension high.

To emphasize the survival aspect, Vertigo relies on game mechanics that are as realistic as possible. While this adds to the immersion, it can also lead to frustration in the long run. For example, when I have to identify the right item in my backpack in stressful situations, or when the grappling mechanics don't always fit perfectly.

Metro Awakening also requires you to memorize a lot of interaction patterns: How do I activate the lamp, and where do I find the charger to recharge it? Which hand do I use for which backpack, and where was the syringe gun again?

But if you internalize this and get involved in the dark fight for survival, you should have a lot of fun with this mix of narrative shooter and survival horror. Whether Metro Awakening VR will be the VR hit that this first demo suggests, we'll have to wait until the beginning of November, when we'll be able to test the final version.

How to link my Meta Quest/Horizon World profile?

I'm wondering how to set a link to my account/profile at Meta Quest on my website, my Fediverse profile or elsewhere. Something like
account.xbox.com/Profile?gamer…
steamcommunity.com/profiles/98…
gog.com/u/{realzuckerberg}
store.epicgames.com/u/7f7df789…
Haven't seen something like this for Meta Quest so far. Can't imagine that there's no way but to set a note 'hey feel free to add me there, I'm @realzuckerberg on Horizon World'.

Microsoft has removed Windows Mixed Reality from Windows 11. With Windows 11 24H2, the latest major version of Microsoft's PC operating system, you can no longer use a Windows MR headset in any way - not even on Steam. This includes all the Windows MR headsets from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, including HP's Reverb G2, released in 2020.

UploadVR tested Windows 11 24H2 with a Reverb G2 and found the above notice. Microsoft confirmed to UploadVR that this is an intentional removal when it originally announced the move back in December. In August 3.49% of SteamVR users were using a Windows MR headset, roughly 80,000 people. If they install Windows 11 24H2, their VR headset will effectively become a paperweight. “Existing Windows Mixed Reality devices will continue to work with Steam through November 2026, if users remain on their current released version of Windows 11 (version 23H2) and do not upgrade to this year’s annual feature update for Windows 11 (version 24H2).” The death of Windows MR headsets comes on the same week Microsoft revealed that HoloLens 2 production has ended, and that software support for the AR headset will end after 2027.

Microsoft confirmed to UploadVR that it told its customers and partners now is the last time to buy the device before stock runs out.

HoloLens 2 will continue to receive "updates to address critical security issues and software regressions" until 2028. As soon as that year starts, software support for HoloLens 2 will end.

For the original HoloLens headset from 2016, the same will happen after December 10 2024, just over two months from now.

HTC announced that its Vive Ultimate Tracker is now compatible with third-party PC VR headsets that support SteamVR.

Originally developed for the Vive Focus 3 and Vive XR Elite, Vive Ultimate Tracker is a puck-like device that comes equipped with two cameras, allowing it to track its position without external devices or base stations, supporting both object and full-body tracking.

Released last November for $200, Vive Ultimate Tracker is now compatible with SteamVR headsets, which includes tethered PC VR headsets such as Valve Index, but also standalone devices capable of connecting to PCs, such as Quest 3 or Pico Pico 4 Ultra