In this week’s newsletter, we’ve got exciting news for VR gaming fans: Sony has permanently slashed the price of its PSVR2 headset, making it more accessible than ever.
Meanwhile, Meta has revealed that it's working on a new AR headset designed for third-party researchers focused on AI, robotics, and machine perception. Plus, a classic VR game is getting a long-awaited sequel.
And that's just the beginning, let's dive in! ??
?? Sony Permanently Drops PSVR 2 Price by $150, Starting this month
- Sony is reducing the price of PSVR 2 to $400 (€450 / ￡400 / ￥66,980) starting in March, down from its original $550 launch price.
- Both the standard PSVR 2 package and the Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle will now be available for the same $400 price tag.
- Sony previously offered deeper discounts, like the Horizon bundle for $350 during November 2024, hinting that even better deals may come.
- Despite the price cut, Sony has released few first-party VR titles, with most major games being third-party offerings like Skydance’s Behemoth and Metro Awakening VR.
- Sony’s $60 PC Adapter, released last August, allows PSVR 2 owners to play SteamVR titles, broadening its appeal beyond the PlayStation ecosystem.
?? Meta Unveils Next-Gen Aria Glasses for AI & AR Research
- Meta has revealed its next-generation Aria glasses, designed for third-party researchers working on AI, robotics, and machine perception.
- The new model features an upgraded sensor suite, including eye-tracking cameras, spatial microphones, a heart rate sensor, and a contact microphone for improved voice recognition.
- Aria Gen 2’s SLAM tracking enables precise indoor navigation, potentially allowing users to map indoor spaces and locate items in stores.
- Meta is collaborating with Envision to develop a ‘Personal Accessibility Assistant’ that helps blind and low-vision users navigate spaces using spatial audio cues.
- While Aria Gen 2 lacks a display, Meta sees it as a crucial step toward its first commercial AR glasses, which are expected before 2030, competing with Apple, Samsung, and Google.
??‘GORN 2’ Brings More Over-the-Top VR Combat Later This Year
- GORN 2, the follow-up to 2019’s comically brutal melee game, is coming later this year to Quest, PC VR, and PSVR 2.
- The game promises new weapons, more enemies, deadly arena traps, and supernatural power-ups for even more chaotic battles.
- Players will take on “five sons of the God of the Afterlife” across heavenly realms, delivering physics-driven carnage.
- In addition to its core campaign, GORN 2 will feature a Custom Mode for personalized challenges and an Endless Mode for non-stop action.
- While no exact release date has been confirmed, GORN 2 will be available on the Horizon Store (Quest 2+), SteamVR, and PlayStation Store (PSVR 2) later this year.
????Meta Hints at Imminent Launch of Quest Passthrough API
- A new "headset camera" permission appeared on Meta's support page, signaling that the long-awaited Passthrough API for Quest headsets may be launching soon.
- Meta first unveiled the Passthrough API in September, promising to enable a range of mixed reality (MR) experiences.
- Developers will be able to create apps that recognize physical objects, such as digital board games that interact with real-world game pieces.
- The API could allow apps to adapt based on a user’s location, recognizing indoor vs. outdoor spaces or famous landmarks.
- Developers will be able to apply custom AI models for tasks like retexturing environments, detecting people or animals, and enabling industrial or training applications.
That’s a wrap for this week! Stay tuned for the latest XR innovations and tech trends—subscribe now to stay ahead! ??
