Introduction

The upcoming VR Games Showcase, scheduled for next month, is generating considerable excitement in the VR community. Jamie Feltham, UploadVR’s former Senior Editor, announced this event, which promises significant updates and new releases for major VR platforms, including Quest, PSVR 2, and PC VR.

Confirmed highlights include the debut gameplay footage for Hitman 3 VR Reloaded and new announcements from Flat2VR Studios. Fans of Combat Waffle Studios can expect insights into their upcoming projects, possibly including titles like GRIM and Silent North. With over “15 titles and announcements” promised, the showcase will feature contributions from notable studios such as Vertigo Games, nDreams, Schell Games, Fast Travel Games, and Beyond Frames Entertainment. Additional titles and partners will be revealed as the broadcast date approaches, with many games making an appearance at the Home Of XR booth during Gamescom 2024.

UploadVR Showcase Summer 2024 Recap

The UploadVR Showcase Summer 2024 has been a significant event for VR gaming, offering numerous announcements and updates from various studios. While there were no groundbreaking revelations like a GTA VR or Half-Life Alyx 3, the showcase was rich with intriguing news:

  1. Creature released a trailer for Starship Home, demonstrating how the game uses mixed reality to transform players’ rooms into spaceship interiors.
  2. Disembodied is a creative new game where players use their physical hands to control detached hands to solve puzzles.
  3. Memoreum is a narrative-driven sci-fi horror FPS, set for a 2025 release, with an impressive trailer.
  4. Hide The Corpse enters early access, tasking players with concealing a body in their home before the police arrive.
  5. Maestro is available for pre-order, allowing players to control an orchestra with their hands.
  6. Zero Caliber 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed FPS, launches on Meta Quest in July, offering a 10% pre-order discount.
  7. ARVORE plans to launch Clawball, a 3v3 soccer game featuring cats, on App Lab by the end of the year.
  8. Brazen Blaze, a 3v3 melee-focused VR multiplayer brawler, is set to launch on Quest and Steam on July 18.
  9. Laser Dance, a game inspired by Mission Impossible, can now be wishlisted on the Meta Horizon Store. The developer shared a behind-the-scenes look at how they filmed the trailer using a phone attached to the headset.

New Quest Runtime v67 Introduces Enhanced Window Management

The latest runtime update for Quest, v67, introduces a new way of arranging application windows, known as the “New Window Layout.” This feature, currently available in the Meta Quest PTC (Public Test Channel), allows users to position up to six windows in their virtual workspace: three main windows and three accessory windows that can be placed and resized according to the user’s needs. The positions of these windows remain persistent even after the headset is turned off and on again.

Additionally, the update introduces a handy feature for configuring Wi-Fi settings using a QR code, simplifying the process for users.

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Mark Zuckerberg Teases Meta’s AR Prototype

In an interview with YouTuber Kallaway, Mark Zuckerberg teased Meta’s upcoming AR glasses prototype, which he described as “full holographic” and eliciting “giddy” reactions from those who have seen it. Though the prototype’s thicker frames may not win any style awards, they are necessary to house the advanced AR technology, offering superior specifications compared to current AR glasses. This prototype will not be sold but used for internal demos and possibly shared with close partners to develop content for Meta’s AR ecosystem. The official unveiling is expected at Meta Connect.

Play For Dream Unveils Vision Pro Competitor

The Chinese company formerly known as YVR, now rebranded as Play For Dream, has unveiled its new headset, the Play For Dream MR. Powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset, the headset boasts dual 3840×3552 micro-OLED displays, a 90Hz refresh rate, a 103° FOV, 16GB of RAM, 521 GB of storage, integrated eye tracking, auto IPD adjustment, and RGB passthrough with 14ms latency. It also features an integrated battery for weight balance and supports both Play For Dream’s Android-based platform and SteamVR streaming. The headset is expected to launch in 2025 for under $2000.

PlayStation Pressured to Create PSVR 2

According to Gamespot’s Tom Caswell, the development of the PSVR 2 by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) was influenced by pressure from Sony Group’s leadership. SIE reportedly complied with the directive to please their bosses but did not fully invest in the new device. This lack of enthusiasm, combined with the challenging market conditions for the gaming industry, has contributed to the device’s struggles and limited support post-launch.

Quest 3 Sells Over 1 Million Units

First Encounters, a mixed reality game, has reached over 1 million players, indicating that Quest 3 has sold more than 1 million units. While this is a respectable achievement, it falls short of the Quest 2’s sales, which benefited from different market conditions and a lower price point.

Vision Pro’s Innovative Features

VisionOS 2 will introduce new features to the Vision Pro headset, including automatic conversion of 2D photos to 3D for viewing as spatial memories. This feature has been praised for its implementation and polish. Additionally, Apple is reportedly working on bringing Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro, further enhancing its capabilities.

Meta Partners with LIV for Mixed Reality Recording

Meta has partnered with LIV to replace its own mixed reality recording tools, which were considered clunky and poorly documented. LIV will now be the official solution for creating mixed reality trailers for Quest games.

XR Mega Booth at Gamescom 2024

A consortium of VR game studios is creating a mega booth called The Home of XR at Gamescom 2024. The booth will feature hands-on experiences with upcoming games targeting a Holiday 2024 release from studios like Vertigo Games, nDreams, Fast Travel Games, Soul Assembly, Combat Waffle Studios, Beyond Frames Entertainment, Flat2VR Studios, and Patient 8 Games.

Conclusion

In summary, the VR Games Showcase promises major announcements for Quest, PSVR 2, and PC VR, highlighting exciting releases like “Hide The Corpse,” “Zero Caliber 2” on Meta Quest, and “Brazen Blaze” on Quest and Steam. The rebranding of YVR to Play For Dream and their new Play For Dream MR headset underscore advancements in AR technology. These developments signify a dynamic future for immersive gaming, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscapes of virtual and augmented reality. Stay tuned for more updates and immerse yourself in the future of gaming!