XR weekly round-up: GTA San Andreas gets VR mod, AI world building takes off, and Meta makes Horizon Worlds permanent
VR mod brings San Andreas to VR after all, AI world building and mandatory installation for Horizon Worlds & Titanic VR inspires on Quest 3 - the most important XR news of the week.
In our weekly overview "XR Update" you will always find the most important XR news of the last week with a short summary. If you are interested in a topic, click on the link to the full article in the respective paragraph. As usual, we provide you with background information and opinions in addition to the facts.
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MIXED Previews & Reviews
Quest 3's Wonder Transforms Your Living Space
Wonder, a new mixed reality app for Quest 3, turns your home into fantastical environments — think underwater jellyfish realms and mystical caves. The app scans your space in 3D and lets you interact using hand tracking. While it currently feels more like a tech demo, the developers promise expanded content ahead.
Titanic VR Delivers Emotional Depth on Quest 3
The newly released Titanic VR for Meta Quest 3 offers an immersive exploration of history's most famous shipwreck. The submarine and ROV controls feel natural, while the graphics push the Quest 3's capabilities impressively. An upcoming update will add new content, including a recreation of the sinking.
XR hardware: News on VR, AR and mixed reality headsets
Apple Vision Pro: Two New Models in Development
Bloomberg reports Apple is developing two XR headset successors: a lighter, cheaper Vision Pro featuring an M5 chip, and a wired version for professionals. While Apple's long-term goal remains everyday AR glasses, they're exploring AI headsets and wearables as interim solutions. They're still playing catch-up with Meta in the smart glasses arena.
Meta Cuts Quest 3S Price
Meta has temporarily reduced the Quest 3S price, bringing the base model to $270. The package still includes Batman: Arkham Shadow and three months of Meta Quest+. Select accessories, including the carrying case, are also discounted.
VR Gets Real with Haptic Weapons
The Ace Virtual Shooting Sig Experience brings tactical training to VR with realistic weapon replicas. These Sig Sauer-based controllers offer haptic feedback for an authentic feel. While aimed at professionals and serious enthusiasts, the system costs over $500 including Quest headset and subscription.
Clawtype Reimagines VR Typing
Developer Mateusz Czapliński has unveiled Clawtype, a wearable VR keyboard using just eight keys and a gyroscope. Users type through key combinations, while hand gestures control mouse movement. Along with alternatives like TapXR and TouchInsight, it represents ongoing efforts to solve VR text input.
XR market and business news
Pimax Backs Racing Game Studio
VR headset maker Pimax is investing $2.5 million in Motorsport Games, known for rFactor 2 and Les Mans Ultimate. The partnership aims to strengthen Pimax's sim racing presence and could bring exclusive VR content to their headsets. This investment fits into Pimax's broader international growth strategy.
VR games and XR apps: All the latest news
VR Program Confronts Domestic Violence
Catalan prisons are using "VRespectMe," a VR therapy program that puts domestic abusers in their victims' shoes. Early results show promise - many participants have emotional responses, with some unable to complete the experience. The program presents various abuse scenarios and forces perpetrators to face their own words.
Meta Makes Horizon Worlds Permanent
Update 76 makes Horizon Worlds (now just "Worlds") a permanent installation on Quest headsets — even in unsupported regions. The update introduces an advertising ID for personalized ads on Meta Horizon OS. System-wide live captions now work across apps, though currently reliable only for English content.
AI Revolutionizes Meta's World Building
Meta has enhanced the Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor with AI tools for generating meshes, textures, and skyboxes. Text prompts can now create VR worlds in hours instead of weeks. The tools are expanding to the UK and Canada, backed by a $50 million developer fund.
GTA San Andreas VR Mod Finally Arrives
A new VR mod for GTA San Andreas Definitive Edition enables full VR support, including motion controls and vehicle operation. Built on Praydog's UEVR plugin, it fixes bugs that previously made VR play impossible. Meta's official VR version, announced in 2021, has been shelved.
DLSS Comes to VR Gaming
Modder Luke Ross is bringing DLSS Ray Reconstruction to VR versions of games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. His updated R.E.A.L. VR mod delivers stunning ray-traced graphics but demands serious hardware. Nvidia Frame Generation remains unsuitable for VR, as headsets can't process generated frames.
Da Vinci Puzzler Heads to PSVR 2
The House of Da Vinci VR launches on PlayStation VR 2 on May 1. Based on the 2017 PC game, it's praised for historical accuracy and atmospheric puzzles. The PSVR 2 version promises even better visuals than the well-received Quest release.
Wall Town Wonders Expands Platforms
The Quest-exclusive mixed reality game Wall Town Wonders is coming to PlayStation VR 2 and SteamVR. Players build and manage a miniature town in their space, helping residents and playing mini-games. The VR version features enhanced graphics and new environments.
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