XR weekly round-up: The biggest VR MMORPG is dead, a Google XR app lives on, and the ultimate hand-tracking experiment
Zenith VR closes its doors, Dataminer finds new Quest 3 features and hand tracking in a noob test — the week's top XR news stories
In our weekly XR Update, you can always find the most important XR news of the last five days with a short summary. If you are interested in a particular topic, click on the link to the full article in the relevant section. As usual, we provide you with background information and opinions in addition to the facts.
Have fun browsing!
Content
XR hardware: News on VR, AR and Mixed Reality headsets
Report: Meta Quest 4 to be released in two versions
The Information reports on Meta's headset plans for the coming years. AR glasses, Meta Quest 4 in two variants and a high-end Quest are to be released by 2027.
Hand tracking experiment on Meta Quest 3
A test with an inexperienced VR user shows that hand tracking on the Meta Quest 3 works, but still has room for improvement. Problems such as inaccurate recognition and unintended interactions need to be solved before the technology becomes suitable for mass use.
Haptic vests from bHaptics compatible with Playstation VR 2
The haptic vests from bHaptics are now also compatible with Playstation VR 2. Four VR games support the vests natively, with more to follow. The Tactsuit X series offers two models with 16 or 40 vibration motors at prices between $329 and $529.
Bigscreen Beyond receives audio strap
The ultra-lightweight PC VR headset Bigscreen Beyond will be available with an optional audio strap with integrated headphones from August. Delivery of all pre-ordered units should be completed by the beginning of October.
Meta Quest: Datamining reveals upcoming features
The PTC update 68 for Meta Quest indicates improvements to the window layout and the "cinema view". There are also indications of a "seamless multitasking" feature, support for the Logitech MX Ink VR stylus and possible integration of codec avatars in Messenger.
XR market and business news
Largest VR MMORPG discontinues development
Ramen VR, the studio behind the VR MMORPG Zenith, is discontinuing development of the game. Despite initial success, Zenith was unable to retain players in the long term and began to lose money. The servers will continue to run for the time being while the studio turns its attention to a new project.
Enovix develops powerful battery for mixed reality headsets
Enovix, a start-up from Silicon Valley, has signed an agreement with a leading technology company to supply silicon batteries for a mixed reality headset. The batteries are said to have a particularly high-energy density and could help headsets to run longer or weigh less.
VR games and XR apps: All the latest news
Google Blocks celebrates open source comeback
The Icosa Foundation is continuing to develop Google's VR 3D modeling tool Google Blocks as open source software. The tool is being modernized for Meta Quest, Pico and Steam and will receive new functions such as glTF import and compatibility with Icosa Gallery.
Virtual Desktop improves multi-monitor support
An update for Virtual Desktop (version 1.32.9) improves multi-monitor support, disables the limitation in passthrough mode and brings further improvements such as ISO layout support for keyboards and compatibility with Contractors Showdown.
Windlands 2 for Playstation VR 2 announced
The VR game Windlands 2, in which players swing through colorful worlds and fight with bows and arrows, will be released for Playstation VR 2 on July 25. It offers cross-play with PC VR and Quest as well as special PSVR2 features such as adaptive triggers and headset haptics.
Aces of Thunder: VR air combat simulation announced for PC VR
The VR game Aces of Thunder, which was originally only announced for Playstation VR 2, will also be released for PC VR via SteamVR in the fourth quarter of 2024. The game features aerial combat with World War II aircraft and supports both single and multiplayer modes.
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