Hello and welcome to Update VRiday, where I’ll talk about the latest VR news and highlights
of the last two weeks!
I’m Cas, and this one is pretty packed with lots of exciting game news and releases; one
of them is even free, so don’t miss out on that.
We also got hardware updates, new VR peripherals coming like a consumer haptic VR gun, and
I got updates for you on the Apple VR rumors, plus even more info on what’s potentially
going to be Valve’s future VR headset.
If you like to be kept up to date with VR, then consider subscribing as that’s big
support.
And it helps us a ton if you watch the entire video for the YT algorithm, but timestamps
are below as always.
Now I welcome you to join me beyond reality but first let’s talk about protecting that
reality 😉
Thanks to Surfshark VPN for continuing their support by being today’s sponsor!
As you may know Surfshark is our main VPN service that we’ve been using for over a
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So if you don’t like it, you can just cancel it.
[Intro Music] Zenith, the Cyberpunk MMO for VR and desktop
inspired by JRPGs and anime, has revealed more gameplay footage.
We get a look at the inner city, which looks big and a place you can explore for a while.
We also get a look at more gameplay, like the spell combat.
All looks amazing in my opinion.
As you may know, I’m a big fan of JRPGs, so I absolutely can’t wait.
The alpha is set to launch soon for Kickstarter backers.
And System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition is getting a fully playable VR mode.
This is an action role-playing survival horror game from 1999.
The team started development of the Enhanced Edition in 2019, where they played around
with VR.
That led to them working towards a full VR experience.
This means it won’t be a quick port, which is fantastic news.
The game looks great, so I look forward to seeing more.
Which of these two VR games are you most excited for?
Let me know in the comments below.
I’m curious.
Then The Wizards: Dark Times is getting a co-op arena-based challenge ahead of the Quest
launch!
I love the spellcasting mechanics in this game, so I will for sure dive back into this
game with Chary when that happens.
No Man’s Sky also just released pets in a free companions update.
So friggin’ cool so good incentive to dive back into it!
In VR, of course.
Last on the PC VR game news is Cosmodread, formerly known as Cosmophobia, a VR survival
horror roguelike, and a release date is now here!
It’s coming out on March 25th for both PC VR and Quest.
Now we’re on the subject, let’s move on to Quest.
Just yesterday, Oculus started rolling out multi-user and app sharing as experimental
features.
This means you can share your games with family/friends, all with their own scores and saves.
But there is a fine print, and I know a lot of you wanted to know if you can buy a multiplayer
game once, then play it on two devices with two accounts.
I’ll make an explainer video on this, so if you have any questions at all about this.
Let me know in the comments and I’ll take it into account.
Oh yes, a few weeks ago, I mentioned Tilt Brush went open source, and 24 hours later
a developer had already prototyped a multiplayer version of the game.
Now, it’s already released -for free- on SideQuest.
I’ve put a link below, of course, and if you don’t know how to use SideQuest yet.
I’ve put my tutorial down there too.
Have fun 😉
After a long wait, The Walking Dead Saints & Sinners finally got the Trial update on
Quest that adds a wave-based horde mode.
I think it’s the best zombie game on Quest, with its incredibly immersive combat.
You can watch my review on it if you haven’t yet.
And if you did, now you have something to play this weekend.
A Google Earth VR alternative is coming.
Google Earth is an immersive way to explore our planet by flying around and traveling
anywhere we want.
It is one of our top apps to show off VR, especially to non-gamers, like… my mom.
Now, Cubic VR founder revealed that he’s developing Realworld, which is almost the
same concept except you can do it in multiplayer, which is a very welcome feature.
Bowman VR is a new archery game for 15 dollars.
I tried it out, and I think, it’s a very basic, arcade-style game.
So I don’t recommend buying it at this price as I think there are better archery games
out there, like In Death.
However, a game that I do recommend trying out is Vanishing Grace for 20 bucks.
This is a mystery puzzle game where you pilot a hovercraft in a post-apocalyptic wasteland
to find a vanished friend by retracing her steps.
The game is mostly slow-paced filled with interactive puzzles.
The game can be a bit short, around 2 hours, but I still think it’s worth it as it has
an intriguing story and a lovely art-style that makes it all feel very cozy.
For PlayStation VR, we got 1 game release and 1 interesting upcoming game.
Stride, the popular free-running and Mirror’s Edge-style action game, is coming to PS VR.
No official release date yet, but it should arrive early this year.
Then, Prison Boss VR developers are launching a wholesome new game called Winds & Leaves
exclusively for PS VR this Spring.
In this game, you are stranded in a barren landscape, and you are the only one who can
master the ancient art of growing vegetation.
Interesting, I think this will be one of those games that allow for 100% relaxation.
Ok, before we move on to hardware news, I wanted to show you something super creative.
This developer has gamified vacuuming!
He made a normally super mundane task more fun, and I think it gives us a look into the
future of gamification with VR or AR, which probably makes more sense here.
All right.
To kick off our hardware news, Decagear posted an update on their blog.
To summarize, the first batch release time has been delayed because of long lead times
of a required component.
But the headset is still on track for 450 dollars, and the development edition and SDK
will be sent out soon to game devs.
No dates yet, but I’ll keep you updated.
Then Andrew Bosworth, the VP of Facebook Reality Labs, regularly hosts Q&A sessions on Instagram.
Last week, one of the exciting responses was whether Quest 2 would see an update to 120Hz.
Boz didn’t verbally confirm it, but he gave a literal thumbs-up that could indicate that
it’s coming.
I’m curious how that will work on the Quest 2; as John Carmack has said before that it’s
possible, but it could also heat up the device too much.
So it doesn’t sound like an easy task, but it’s for sure a welcome.
The Tundra Trackers are smaller, cheaper, and better alternatives to HTC’s VIVE Trackers.
These are mostly used for full-body tracking.
It’s great news that new ones are coming as there has been almost no competition here.
Yet, there does seem to be a lot of demand for it.
A Kickstarter was expected to go live in January.
But due to shortages in the semiconductor industry, this was pushed back to March 29th
for now.
And there is another contender, sort of.
Manus VR, the people behind these haptic gloves, is coming with professional SteamVR Trackers.
These are specifically designed for Motion Capture and Virtual Production but also Full-Body
VR.
They do not come cheap at 299 euros.
In comparison, you can get the HTC Vive Tracker for 99 per piece, and the trackers by Tundra
Labs will likely be more affordable as well.
Now…
Are you ready for some cool new tech?
Striker VR is a manufacturer of high-end haptic VR gun peripherals for location-based entertainment.
Last week, they announced that they raised a 4 million dollar investment and plans to
use it to make a haptic VR gun for consumers.
Yes, finally something for us too.
They are planning to support both PC VR and Quest, but it’s unclear how they will handle
tracking and buttons.
Having tried the Striker VR guns before, though, at an arcade, where I was especially impressed
about the haptics and recoil, so I think this would be a fun adrenaline-boosting accessory.
So in the last episode of Update VRiday, I told you about Valve’s future vision for
brain-computer interfaces.
If you’ve missed that episode, definitely check it out for more info.
But now we got another update from Tobii, who you may know from their eye-tracking technology.
The Division CEO of Tobii Tech says: “We are excited to work with Valve and OpenBCI
to explore the future of immersive gaming by combining the power of Tobii eye tracking
and OpenBCI’s advanced brain computer interface technology,”
They will be producing developer units for the recently announced Galea Beta Program
and says it will be built with elements from the Valve Index VR hardware.
Developers interested in using the OpenBCI Galea headset to explore how neurotechnology
can bring about the next generation of immersive digital experiences are invited to visit OpenBCI’s
beta project website.
Initial developer units are expected to ship in limited quantities to beta program participants
in early 2022.
This is big news guys.
It probably will take a while before we see this for consumers, but I cannot fathom my
excitement for this.
I think it’s the future, and I really hope not to be a grandma when this is out.
Now, previously, I also talked about the rumored Apple VR headset.
The newest here is: Apple partnering with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to produce
micro OLED displays for its long-rumored augmented reality devices at a secretive facility in
Taiwan, according to Nikkei Asia Review.
These new screens are reportedly less than one inch wide and would be well-suited for
AR devices like headsets and glasses.
If you don’t know Taiwan Semiconductor, it’s not a surprise, as they mostly work
behind-the-scenes for clients like Qualcomm.
They are the ones who manufacture chips used in mobile phones or, for example, VR headsets.
But there is more news.
Alex from The Information saw internal renders of the headset.
He says it’s a sleek, curved visor with swappable headbands and over a dozen cameras.
He also reveals other details about it, like it may ship next year.
A price of 3,000 dollars was discussed, they may be working on a thimble-like device for
your finger to help control it, and the headset may have advanced eye-tracking.
So again, I think it’s clear Apple is doing something.
Although, it sounds more and more like an enterprise device and not something for consumers.
But still, it will be very interesting if another big name like Apple finally decides
to step into the VR industry as hopefully, that will get more competitors to join as
well.
So let’s keep an eye on this.
Now, two upcoming things.
If you are an esport fan, then you should not miss the VR Master League.
Season 3 is coming in 2021, and it will be available via Oculus Venues as well as Twitch
and YouTube.
VRML is the esports platform for VR, where anyone older than 13 can join in and compete
for money.
If you’re the competitive type, why not try it out.
As far as I know, it’s free to join in.
Last piece of news already, VR arcade startup Hologate is going big this year with its first
large-format facility called Hologate World.
With an area of 1200 square meters, it includes VR games, XR escape rooms, esports arena,
and other experiences.
There will be a bar, lounge with food service, and both indoor and outdoor areas.
It’s set to open in September 2021 in Germany.
I’m surprised to see a big launch like this during the pandemic, but I do wish them the
best of luck as it sounds like a ton of fun.
Germany isn’t so far away from us, so hopefully, we can check it out sometime.
And that’s it for today!
Tell me your opinions about these pieces of news in the comments below!
What are you most excited for?
If you want to discuss these topics further with us or are looking for some chill time,
then join our live stream tonight at 9 PM CET on YouTube.
We live stream every Friday, and we would love to see you there.
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As always, VR on!