Today marks the lively conclusion of Carnival celebrations in Italy, with the streets teeming with joy and revelry. While many indulge in the festivities, I’m choosing a quieter celebration with some traditional Carnival sweets. There’s another reason I’m in a celebratory mood—Feedspot has recognized my blog, placing it third among the top 60 Virtual Reality websites ranked by authority. I’m just behind the major players Road To VR and Upload VR. Admittedly, the list has its quirks, such as including the defunct Oculus website, and there are certainly other magazines like MIXED that arguably deserve a higher spot. Despite knowing I might not truly deserve the third spot, or even the fourth or fifth, I’m taking a moment to relish what this recognition means for my eight years of dedication as a blogger. A heartfelt thanks to all who’ve supported me on this journey!
Top Stories This Week
Valve Deckard’s Rumored Launch in 2025 at $1,200
Fresh whispers in the virtual reality world suggest that Valve’s Deckard headset might hit the market in 2025 with a price tag around $1,200. This tidbit comes from data miner Gabe Follower, a proven source of credible information. According to Gabe Follower, the release will likely include games or demos tailored specifically for Deckard, possibly even featuring a Half-Life-themed demo as Tyler McVicker from Valve News Network speculates. Designed to run on SteamOS like the Steam Deck, the device promises to bring SteamDeck’s flatscreen games into the VR realm, thanks to its Roy controllers mirroring gamepad controls. Although the price may seem steep, it’s reportedly still sold at a loss, hinting at some impressive high-end specifications sure to please the most fervent Valve enthusiasts.
Sony’s PSVR 2 Price Slashed Permanently
Sony is making waves by permanently reducing the PSVR 2 headset’s price to $400 (€450 / £400 / ¥66,980). This new price applies whether you opt for just the headset or package it with the Horizon Call of the Mountain game—though I wonder who wouldn’t go for the bundle. Previously, the PSVR 2’s cost was a barrier, even exceeding that of the PS5, but after recent discounts, it’s been flying off the shelves. The headset might still lack a vast library of exclusive games, but a decent selection is emerging, and with a PC adapter, Steam’s games open up even more options. At $400, the PSVR 2 is positioned well to foster a more vibrant ecosystem.
Meta’s Drive Towards Free-to-Play on Quest
Meta is steering developers toward embracing free-to-play models on Meta Quest, aligning this strategy with their younger audience’s preferences. In a recent post, Meta revealed that free-to-play experiences now dominate over 70% of the time users spend on Quest. This trend has prompted developers, such as Fast Travel Games with Mannequin, to pivot to the freemium model, while Owlchemy Labs’ free-to-play title Dimensional Double Shift has surpassed 500K downloads. While Meta’s data suggests time spent is increasing, I find the absence of revenue stats concerning. High playtime without substantial earnings won’t sustain game studios. I urge Meta to shed light on the median revenue from free-to-play games on the Horizon Store, which would greatly aid developers in evaluating this model’s viability for their businesses.
Meta Unveils Aria 2 Glasses
Meta has just introduced its second-generation Aria glasses, a step up from the initial Project Aria. These aren’t commercial products but research tools packed with sensors to train AI models using user-perspective data—ideal for AR applications. The new Aria Gen 2 comes with enhanced sensors, including several cameras, spatial microphones, and multiple sensors for detailed environmental interaction. It’s also equipped with a new custom Meta chip for advanced tracking and recognition capabilities, all housed in a lightweight 75g package capable of offering 6-8 hours of active use. While mainly available to select partners, broader availability for research centers is expected soon.
Meta’s Latest Educational and Enterprise Initiatives
Meta has revamped its educational and enterprise offerings. The "Meta For Education" initiative, now open after a lengthy beta, allows educational institutions to purchase headsets and manage them en masse, complete with a rich catalog of educational content. Additionally, Meta in collaboration with VictoryXR, has established over 30 "metaversities" using the Engage XR platform, creating engaging digital campuses. Meta touted stats indicating VR’s educational effectiveness, yet one wonders about the objectivity of these figures.
This is part of Meta’s broader "Horizon Managed Solutions," enhancing services for enterprise clients by integrating their solutions with third-party MDM tools. Pricing options for educational institutions appear competitive, especially with offerings to bypass ongoing subscription costs—a potential game-changer for some organizations.
News Tidbits
- HTC has debuted "VIVERSE Worlds," a platform for 3D and VR content that’s web-accessible, requiring no installations.
- AMD’s new RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are hitting the market soon, boasting features to rival NVIDIA’s offerings.
- Virtually Real utilized Winlator, a Windows emulator for Android, to successfully run Crysis on the Pico 4 Ultra headset, paving the way for native Windows game playability on VR headsets.
- The Horizon Store faces criticism for an influx of low-quality gorilla-tag-clone games, spotlighting curation issues.
- Meta is retiring the Quest’s Move fitness tracking app, potentially abandoning users reliant on the service.
Exciting Developments in VR Content
“SHIP HAPPENS,” an escape room game by Cause+Christi in collaboration with HTC VIVERSE, has launched. This free-to-play game, delivered via WebXR, thrusts players into a futuristic narrative on a space transport ship, promising an immersive experience without the need for downloads.
Other notable content announcements include new games, VR demos available through Steam Next Fest, and major updates to existing VR titles. The gaming ecosystem continues to expand, with upcoming releases and patches promising enhancements and new adventures for VR enthusiasts.
In closing, a heartfelt thanks goes out to all my supporters. If you’re moved to contribute, consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by the Ukraine crisis.
Stay tuned for more updates and continue exploring the wonders and innovations of the VR world!
