I can definitely confirm the "CES sickness" is real, and unfortunately, it doesn’t just vanish once CES is over. But even this cold can’t stop my commitment to keeping you updated with the latest in XR news. So, here’s a collection of updates you’ll definitely want to check out!
Top News of the Week
The Continued Fall of XR
Right now isn’t exactly the golden era for immersive realities. The market’s rather stagnant, making it difficult to thrive business-wise. While we all believe AR and VR will play significant roles in the future, they remain niche in our current landscape. I discussed this at length in a previous article analyzing where things stand today.
Over the past week, several developments echoed my earlier observations:
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The creators of PowerWash Simulator VR have announced they’re halting updates, just 14 months post-launch, as development costs outpace revenue.
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Soul Assembly, the team behind Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, is facing a 15% staff reduction.
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On Christmas Day 2024, Omdia and Sensor Tower analytics reveal a 27% drop in downloads for the Meta Horizon app compared to the previous year, indicating a slump in VR holiday sales. This downturn may be attributed to numerous Quest 2 users not seeing a need to upgrade to a 3 or 3S, mirroring trends seen during Black Friday on Amazon.
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Counterpoint Research highlights a 4% decline in the global VR market in Q3 2024 vs. Q3 2023.
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Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret in an interview, admitting he was wrong about PS VR2.
- The F.Reality podcast has concluded after seven successful years.
Blair Renaud, the mind behind LOW-FI, took to X to express his frustration with the current state and uncertainty surrounding the future. He’s certainly not alone in feeling adrift in a tumultuous ocean.
However, amidst the challenges, we’ve also received some positive news:
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Forbes published an uplifting piece on how younger generations favor socializing in the metaverse over dwindling traditional social media platforms.
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Counterpoint’s report also noted that Apple Vision Pro shipments surpassed initial estimates by IDC, especially on the international front, aligning closely with Apple’s forecasted figures.
- It’s rumored that Beat Saber is on the brink of hitting a milestone with 10 million copies sold on Quest alone.
While we should brace for challenging times ahead, as indicated by what I observed at CES, it’s crucial to recognize there is still hope. These technological trends in AR/VR are unlikely to shift in the immediate future, save for a potential surge in smart glasses. The positive notes in this article were included to highlight this glimmer of hope, though patience and perseverance are the keys to survival right now.
Other Relevant News
Microsoft and the Windows 11 24H2 Update
For those trying to dodge the dreaded Windows 11 24H2 update, your time has run out. Microsoft is enforcing this update across all machines it controls, notably affecting Home editions of the operating system. This is notable for XR enthusiasts as it removes Mixed Reality support, effectively rendering Windows Mixed Reality headsets obsolete. While there are ways to avoid it if you’re running a Pro version or have enterprise protection, it’s tough luck for Home users. Sending virtual hugs to all affected WMR users—it’s an unfortunate situation.
ASUS AirVision M1 Glasses
ASUS is generating buzz with a snazzy trailer for its AirVision M1 smart glasses. Not exactly new—first mentioned back at CES 2024—these 3DOF glasses offer a virtual screen right before your eyes, boasting 1100 nits brightness and 60% lens transparency, plus TÜV Rheinland certification, and built-in speakers. They work with Windows PCs and Rog Ally handhelds, weighing in at a mere 87g. They’re priced at $700, a smidge above the $600 XREAL One Pro.
News Worth a Mention
Palmer Luckey’s Upcoming Announcement
In response to Blair Renaud’s post, Palmer Luckey hinted at an exciting VR-related announcement in the coming weeks. It could be the military VR headset teased at AWE or perhaps another intriguing Quest Pro development. Together, let’s wait and see what unfolds!
Somnium Space Headset Price Hike
Manufacturing complexities have led Somnium Space to increase its headset prices by €5–700, resulting in new pricing as follows:
- Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition: €3000 + VAT
- Somnium VR1 Titan Edition: €3400 + VAT
- Somnium VR1 Ultimate Edition €4300 + VAT
Meta’s High-Efficiency Red MicroLED Display
Meta and Plessey have announced what they call the world’s brightest red MicroLED display for AR glasses, boasting 6M nits with ultra-low power consumption—significant for outdoor use. Plessey CEO Dr. Keith Strickland hailed this as "a major breakthrough" in AR tech.
Chess with Ray-Ban Meta
Young developers Caden Li and Eddy Xu have innovated an AI-driven chess experience using Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The glasses’ camera streams the chessboard to an AI, suggesting strategic moves to users through built-in speakers. It’s a brilliant demonstration of smart glasses’ potential when paired with powerful AI.
Sports Success Through Virtual Reality
American quarterback Jayden Daniels has become a NFL sensation, leading the Washington Commanders to their first playoff victory since 2006. His secret? Daily VR headset training, showcasing VR’s strength in athlete preparation.
Content and Reviews
New Game Entrances:
- GRIM has launched in early access for Quest and SteamVR, drawing inspiration from Rust.
- Tablecraft offers a “mad science” VR sandbox available now in early access on Quest.
- The puzzle game Lovesick hits Meta Quest headsets on March 6.
- Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon lands on Meta Quest this February 6, and later on Steam this spring.
- PSVR 2’s Firewall Ultra gets an unexpected update despite the development team’s closure last year.
Reviews Highlight:
- An Upload piece commends Iron Rebellion for its perfect blend of user-friendly controls and immersive mech gameplay.
- Arken Age shines with captivating visuals and thrilling combat.
- Assetto Corsa EVO, though in Early Access, has some glaring issues.
- The Thrill Of The Fight 2 offers a fresh perspective on multiplayer boxing.
- Human Within could serve as a lesson on poor branching story design.
Other Noteworthy Mention
Meta’s decision to remove its app for viewing achievements within headsets has left developers and users disgruntled.
More Insights
- Curious about the small LED near Quest 3S’s cameras? Details can be intriguing.
- The mystery around the Visor headset persists amidst positive reviews and Discord drama.
- Innovator Michael Gschwandtner is having quite the adventure crafting affordable AR glasses connected to his Nintendo Switch.
Unmissable Events
Don’t miss a workshop on the musical metaverse during the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in L’Aquila, Italy from October 29-31. This event seeks to unite scholars, industry leaders, and enthusiasts to explore Musical XR and immersive network contexts. The call for papers includes topics like "Musical XR systems for networked interactions" and "Digital twins for musical applications."
XR Fun Corner
Check out some humorous takes on Meta hardware vs software, the tricky XR business environment, and a new quality assurance test that might be in order for future Quest releases.
Donate for a Cause
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(Header image credit: Microsoft)
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