XR weekly round-up: Valve plans new VR headset, Sony cuts PSVR 2 price, and Meta unveils new AR glasses
Valve is reportedly planning a new high-end VR headset for $1,200, Sony permanently lowers the PSVR 2 price and Meta unveils AR glasses for AI research — these are the XR highlights of the week.
In our weekly "XR Update" overview, you will always find the most important XR news from the past week with a brief summary. If you are interested in a particular topic, click on the link to the full article in the relevant paragraph. As usual, we provide you with background information and opinions in addition to the facts.
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Content
MIXED Reviews & Previews
All on Board on Quest 3: What's the VR board game simulator good for?
The VR board game simulator All on Board impresses with its intuitive controls, authentic board game feel and great attention to detail. Well-known games such as Terraforming Mars, chess and a checkers are available at launch. Despite technical teething troubles and a steep learning curve for board game newcomers, All on Board is on its way to becoming the king of VR board game simulators. Rating: 4 out of 5 points.
Orion Drift tried out: A bit like the Metaverse we were promised
Orion Drift, the new Metaverse hub from the Gorilla Tag developers, is a fascinating glimpse into the future of VR. The huge space station with several districts leaves you in disbelief. Despite initial difficulties with locomotion, Orion Drift offers real Ready Player One vibes thanks to its sci-fi character, sublime size, continuity and social vibrancy. Well worth a trip for VR veterans and newcomers alike.
Meta Quest 3: Being a mixed reality investigator is pretty cool
In Detective VR for Meta Quest 3, you collect evidence as an investigator, interrogate suspects and even manipulate time in a fascinating interplay of VR and mixed reality. Despite mediocre character animations and too much guidance, the game succeeds in telling a crime story in an innovative way. It turns the player into a mixed reality investigator in a cool way.
MIXED reader questions
Does virtual reality really need more games like Half-Life: Alyx?
In the MIXED reader questions, Tomislav answers the question of whether more AAA games are the key to success for VR gaming. His opinion: VR ports have value for VR fans, but will not convince skeptics. The success of VR gaming depends on how far it can emancipate itself from flat gaming and develop its own character. VR will go its own way and surprise us.
XR hardware: News on VR, AR and mixed reality headsets
New VR headset from Valve is allegedly coming in 2025 and will be expensive
According to a leaker, Valve is planning to launch a self-sufficient, wireless VR headset, codenamed Deckard, on the market this year for USD 1,200. The device is to be based on a SteamOS adapted for VR and enable Steam Deck titles to be played on a large virtual screen without a PC. Valve wants to deliver the "best possible experience" without cutting costs.
Playstation VR 2: Permanent price reduction from March 1
Sony is permanently reducing the price of Playstation VR 2 to $400 from March 1, 2025 - with or without the Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle. This means that PSVR 2 is now priced between Meta Quest 3S and Meta Quest 3. In addition to the price reduction, there have recently been some high-quality new VR games and the introduction of hand tracking.
Meta Aria Gen 2: New headset for AR and AI research presented
Meta has announced the second generation of its sensor-packed Aria research glasses. Aria Gen 2 features an updated sensor package including innovative sensors to measure heart rate and distinguish voices, ultra-low power consumption, a battery life of 6 to 8 hours and audio feedback. The headset is intended to drive Meta's long-term research vision and will be made available to academic and commercial research laboratories.
New VR headsets in 2025: what devices can we expect?
2025 is likely to be a quieter year for VR hardware, with a focus on premium headsets and ultra-lightweight experimental devices. Samsung and Google's mixed reality headset "Project Moohan" is likely to attract the most attention. There may also be surprises from Valve, Apple, HTC or Pimax. New Quest headsets are not expected until next year.
Back to the 80s with Meta Quest: Arcade2TV-XR is a curious VR controller for enthusiasts
The Arcade2TV-XR transforms the Meta Quest into a virtual retro arcade you can touch. The customizable housing offers classic arcade controls with joysticks, trackball and 18 buttons. It is compatible with many VR headsets and consoles and allows you to create your own 80s-style virtual arcade in VR. Despite the proud price of 386.95 euros, manufacturer X-Arcade wants to appeal to retro fans and VR enthusiasts alike.
XR market and business news
Meta for Education launched: This is how much Quest 3 and 3S cost
Meta for Education has left the beta program and is now widely available. In Germany, Quest 3S with 128 GB costs 440 euros and with 256 GB 550 euros. The Quest 3 with 512 GB costs 700 euros. The price includes a three-year warranty and a two-year subscription to Meta Horizon Managed Solutions. Meta wants to establish Meta Quest as a learning tool in schools and universities.
HTC launches 3D content platform VIVERSE Worlds
With VIVERSE Worlds, HTC wants to make a WebXR-based platform for hosting and sharing immersive 3D content accessible to everyone, independent of the VR platform. The platform will work in a similar way to YouTube and make 3D content easy to find and embed. VIVERSE Worlds is closely linked to the VIVERSE Create toolset for creating interactive multiplayer worlds without programming skills.
VR games and XR apps: All the latest news
Playstation VR 2: All VR games that you can play for free with the PS Plus subscription
Sony now offers some excellent PSVR 2 games in the Playstation Plus Premium subscription, such as Pistol Whip, Vacation Simulator, Synapse, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge and The Last Clockwinder. Five new titles have been added, while The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution has been removed. PS Plus Premium costs 152 euros for 12 months.
The best co-op VR games for friends without VR headsets
If you have a VR headset, but your friends don't, you can find games such as Escape Simulator, Demeo, No Man's Sky, Payday 2, Phasmophobia and The Forest VR co-op titles that support cross-play between VR and flat. Depending on the game, PC, console and VR players can solve puzzles, explore dungeons, explore the universe, carry out raids, hunt ghosts or survive in the wilderness together.
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