It’s the end of March, and I’m enjoying the sunny weather following a project wrap-up, which makes it the perfect time to dive into this week’s AR and VR highlights. Let’s also touch on the buzzing Studio Ghibli AI chatter.
Major Headlines of the Week
Samsung’s XR Glasses May Make an Appearance
According to reports from ETNews, Samsung is gearing up to unveil its XR glasses sometime this year. It’s still unclear whether these will be AR glasses or more general smartglasses, but they’re rumored to be comfortable with features like cameras and sensors for tracking. Codenamed Haen—which translates to “coast” in Korean—these glasses have stirred up excitement. Samsung seems have an exciting line-up ahead with its Project Moohan headset and now potentially the Haen glasses. Could 2025 mark Samsung’s triumphant return to the XR scene? We’ll have to wait and see.
Vivo Joins the XR Game with Vision Headset
Smartphone powerhouse Vivo has thrown its hat into the XR ring by announcing a mixed reality headset. Details are scarce, and while the design seems heavily inspired by Apple’s Vision Pro (even borrowing the name!), it’s thrilling to see Vivo stepping into the arena. Expect an official reveal around mid-2025.
Meta Sees Quest as the Next Media Hub
At GDC, Chris Pruett shed light on Quest’s evolving user base. The device, initially envisioned for VR enthusiasts, is now drawing everyday users who see it as an extension of their media set-up rather than a gaming console. Picture a demographic of 30-something men streaming sports and action flicks on their headsets. This shift could mean the Quest 4 will focus heavily on optimizing movie viewing, potentially aligning it more closely with Apple’s Vision Pro strategies. Developers might need to adjust to this pivot if media consumption starts overshadowing gaming in the near future.
Upcoming Events and Releases
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled for June 9, where we might get a sneak peek at visionOS 3’s new features. On another note, Pimax is ready to ship its high-resolution Pimax Crystal Super headset starting April 7.
PlayStation’s Spring Sale Kicks Off
From now until April 23, PlayStation is hosting its Spring Sale, offering fantastic discounts on thousands of games, including over 60 VR2 titles. If you’ve been eyeing a game, now’s the time!
Spotlight on WebXR at The Polys
The Polys celebrates its fifth edition, honoring the best in WebXR—a promising technology with much potential. Congratulations to all the winners!
Critique on Valve’s XR Strategy
David Heaney’s editorial questions Valve’s passive approach toward XR content. Since “Alxyx” five years ago, Valve has stepped back from major VR game development despite its clear ability to contribute more to the ecosystem.
Exciting Experiments with Quest Camera Access
Developers are playing with new Quest camera features, from real-world element copy-pasting to environment-based dynamic lighting, showcasing intriguing possibilities. Check out these creative projects!
Exclusive Star Wars Game and Content Updates
Lucasfilm and ILM are crafting “Star Wars: Beyond Victory” for Quest, while Hitman World of Assassination hits PlayStation VR2 as a DLC. Sadly, Meta’s System Shock 2 VR project got the axe, and RoboCop’s anticipated VR title suffers a rights hiccup.
New VR Ventures and Game Updates
Shooter sandbox HARD BULLET is heading to Quest 3, along with update news on Orion Drift, No Man’s Sky, and many more. Plus, Avatar-inspired Elements Divided arrives soon, and VR enthusiasts can gear up for the latest action RPG releases.
Game Reviews
Pinball FX VR offers an authentic pinball thrill in VR, and Boxed Out delivers satisfying puzzle gaming with great depth. Final Fury stands out as an engaging fighting title, and Roboquest VR seems promising despite still being in development.
Industry Tidbits
Infinite Reality dropped $200 million to acquire Napster, aiming to build a virtual music platform. Meanwhile, Quest is considering new Horizon OS features for sharing windows, and Pico 4 Ultra gets a significant update. Cyan faces tough times with layoffs, and Sony introduces Ocellus camera tracking. The XR industry continues to evolve, leaving developers wondering about future directions, especially with rapidly changing market dynamics.
Support and Donations
Lastly, my blog includes affiliate links to keep things running smoothly, and I always appreciate your support. This week, I encourage donations to the Red Cross to provide aid to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. A heartfelt thank you to all my Patreon supporters and readers.
Stay tuned for more XR news and insights next week!
