Today marks the culmination of the vibrant Carnival celebrations across Italy, with people filling the streets, enjoying the festivities. Meanwhile, I’m indulging in some delicious traditional sweets to mark the occasion. I have another reason to celebrate this week: I’ve been placed third in Feedspot’s list of the top 60 Virtual Reality websites, based on authority. I’m right behind the giants like Road To VR and Upload VR. Granted, the list has its quirks—like including the now-defunct Oculus website. I’m aware there are more deserving contenders, such as MIXED. However, instead of nitpicking, I’m choosing to cherish this moment. It’s a delightful acknowledgment of the dedication I’ve poured into blogging over the past eight years. To my readers and supporters, I extend my heartfelt thanks for contributing to this milestone!
Top News of the Week
Valve Deckard May Launch in 2025 for $1200
We’ve got some exciting rumors swirling about Valve’s upcoming hardware, the Deckard. This tidbit comes not from our usual informants but courtesy of a data miner named Gabe Follower. He suggests Valve Deckard might hit the market in 2025, with a price tag around $1200. Gabe also mentions that Valve is prepping some games or demos specifically for Deckard, potentially including a demo from the Half-Life universe. The device is expected to operate on SteamOS, identical to the Steam Deck, allowing it to run Steam Deck’s flat-screen games on a larger VR screen. This compatibility is largely thanks to the Roy controllers, which mimic gamepad controls. Despite its high price, Gabe points out that Valve is selling it at a loss, hinting at some premium features that fans will likely appreciate.
Sony Permanently Reduces PSVR 2 Pricing
In a move long awaited by many, Sony has permanently lowered the price of the PSVR 2. The device now retails at $400 (€450 / £400 / ¥66,980). This price applies whether you buy just the headset or opt for the bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain, leading one to wonder why anyone wouldn’t choose the bundle. Previously, the PSVR 2 was criticized for costing more than the PS5. Following temporary discounts, sales improved, so this price cut seems like a smart strategic decision. While its library of exclusive games isn’t vast, the addition of a PC adapter broadens game options via Steam. At $400, it’s fairly priced, and while I’m not expecting sales to skyrocket, I do think the ecosystem looks more promising now.
Free-to-Play Dominates Meta Quest
Meta’s latest update reveals that free-to-play content constitutes over 70% of user engagement on Quest. In response, developers are increasingly embracing the freemium model. Games like Mannequin and Dimensional Double Shift have recently adopted free-to-play strategies, earning significant download numbers. However, while time spent on games is up, revenue details remain scarce, which raises questions about the free-to-play model’s overall financial viability. This absence indicates potential revenue concerns, counting heavily on the massive success of Gorilla Tag. I’d be curious to know the median revenue values for free-to-play titles on the Horizon Store to truly assess if this model is the most sustainable for developers.
Introducing Meta’s Aria Gen 2 Glasses
Meta has unveiled Aria Gen 2 glasses, a sequel to Project Aria, aimed at research rather than consumer markets. The new model is packed with an array of sensors, including multiple cameras, microphones, and other devices necessary for training AI models from the user’s viewpoint. A significant upgrade is the on-device tracking capabilities powered by Meta’s new chip, enabling more complex functionalities like positional tracking, eye tracking, and speech recognition directly on the device. All these advancements come in a lightweight package, promising 6-8 hours of active use. Currently exclusive to select partners, wider availability for research institutions is anticipated later this year.
Meta Refreshes Its Enterprise and Educational Offerings
Meta has revamped its enterprise and educational services. The revised Meta For Education program is now fully launched, offering universities the ability to acquire headsets with management services and educational content catalogs. Meanwhile, over 30 digital "metaversities" have been developed to facilitate remote learning. Meta proudly shares statistics of VR’s positive impact on learning engagement, though it remains essential to scrutinize such vendor-provided data critically. Accompanying this is a refreshed enterprise package called Horizon Managed Solutions, now allowing integration with existing third-party device management services. Pricing details reflect enterprise options being more expensive than consumer models, with subscription services activating after two years unless a permanent access fee is paid.
News Highlights: HTC, AMD, Winlator, and Meta Store Criticism
Recently launched, HTC’s VIVERSE Worlds platform promises 3D content experiences directly via the web, without installations, leveraging Vive Polygon Streaming for smoother performance. AMD is rolling out its RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards, set to rival NVIDIA’s offerings and enhance VR capabilities. Meanwhile, Winlator enables Windows games to run on Pico 4 Ultra, expanding gameplay possibilities. On the discussion front, the Horizon Store’s curation has recently come under fire for being flooded with low-quality clones, with one Redditor noting many were mere "Gorilla Tag" knockoffs.
Sunset for Meta Move
Meta’s fitness tracking app Move faces discontinuation. Despite Meta citing outdated technology as a reason, it’s a poignant reminder of the niche startups like YUR once filled before being eclipsed by Meta’s similar initiatives. This situation underscores the importance of dedicated passion in maintaining specialized services.
Meta Unveils Advances in Avatars and VR Taste Research Progress
In partnership with the University of Munich, Meta Reality Labs has presented Avat3r, a research project that creates detailed avatars from just a few photos, promising striking replication of facial expressions. Separately, Ohio State University’s research on virtual taste continues to progress, experimenting with e-taste interfaces that introduce flavors like lemonade and cake into VR experiences.
New VR Review Platform Launches
For VR review aficionados, Dr. Luke Buckmaster’s new website, The VR Critic, debuts with over 100 reviews ready for exploration. This project heralds a fresh perspective in VR criticism. Cheers to Luke on his endeavor!
Content Corner with New Releases and Reviews
The gaming world is buzzing with new VR releases and updates. From Orion Drift venturing into Early Access to Symphoni blending music with magic, there’s a plethora of new content. Notably, GORN 2 is poised for an intriguing release, offering new twists to its well-loved gameplay style. Reviews highlight Orion Drift’s potential while cautioning about initial rough edges, and Retronika charms with its visual and gameplay diversity.
Further News Snippets and Good Causes
In the wider tech world, GTA 6 hints at integrating metaverse elements, VR aids lucid dreaming enthusiasts, and Stress Level Zero sheds light on the commercial challenges faced by VR game developers focusing solely on PC VR markets. Moreover, Lumus makes waves with advancements in eyewear technology, while Google’s potential Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 experimentation could shape future directions.
Before we wrap up, I’d like to draw attention to the ongoing need for humanitarian support in Ukraine. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by recent conflicts. Thank you, esteemed Patreon donors, for your unwavering support—it truly makes a difference.
As always, stay innovative and keep exploring the endless possibilities within the virtual realm!
