XR Reality - August 30th Edition

The last week of August is over, and this next season couldn't look more promising for the XR scene!

At Odders, we're ending the month on a high note with the launch of our second DLC from Les Mills XR Bodycombat , the announcement of our next game Make It Stable , and the nomination for Outstanding Company of the Year at the XR Awards ??

Now, let’s dive into this week's XR highlights??

??Valve’s New VR Game and Standalone Headset Rumored to Be in Development

• Valve is reportedly developing a new standalone VR headset, known as 'Deckard,' which could launch alongside a new Half-Life game, according to YouTuber Tyler McVicker, a prominent figure in tracking Valve's internal projects.
• McVicker asserts that 'Deckard' is "still very much in production" and that Valve intends to release the hardware, potentially with a new VR-exclusive Half-Life title designed to showcase the device's capabilities, similar to how "Half-Life: Alyx" demonstrated the power of the Valve Index in 2020.
• McVicker also suggests the possibility of two Half-Life games in development, including an asymmetric multiplayer experience where one player controls Gordon Freeman on a PC and another plays as Alyx Vance in VR.
• While these details remain speculative, McVicker continues to analyze Valve's code for clues, indicating that more information may surface later this year.
• More on: https://www.roadtovr.com/report-valve-vr-game-standalone-headset/

??Meta Shelving Quest Pro 2 Could Benefit the VR Market

• Meta's decision to halt development on the Quest Pro 2, a planned premium VR headset, may be a strategic move that benefits the broader VR ecosystem. While the cancellation of the device, codenamed "La Jolla," suggests Meta is stepping back from directly competing with high-end offerings like Apple's Vision Pro, it doesn't signal the end of high-spec VR ambitions.
• Instead, Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, clarified that while "La Jolla" will not go into production, other prototypes are still in the works, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to VR innovation. The decision allows Meta to focus on mass-market, affordable headsets rather than niche, expensive devices for limited demand.
• Technologies developed for the Quest Pro 2 could still make their way into future, more accessible models, aligning with Meta's goal of making VR and AR technologies widely available.
• This strategy ensures that Meta's resources are better spent on lowering entry barriers for consumers rather than targeting a small market of enthusiasts.
• More on: https://mixed-news.com/en/quest-pro-2-canceled-editorial/

??New Samsung VR Headset Spotted on Geekbench Reveals Key Specs

• A new Samsung VR headset, likely designed to compete with the Meta Quest lineup and Apple Vision Pro, has been spotted on Geekbench, providing a glimpse into its key specifications.
• The device, potentially carrying the model number SM-I130, could be the headset itself or possibly its controller, though the listing's 16GB of RAM suggests it's more likely the headset.
• The device appears to be powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, featuring a hexa-core processor with a base clock speed of 2.36 GHz and an Adreno 740 GPU. Rumors have also suggested another model, SM-I610, might represent a different version of the headset.
• The headset is expected to run on Android 14 and could include advanced features like displaying virtual avatars, integrating with other Samsung products (such as wireless headphones and smartwatches), and tracking health metrics like heart rate and calories burned.
• It is also expected to feature standard sensors for VR headsets, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, camera module, and infrared sensor.
• While these initial details offer a promising look at Samsung's upcoming entry into the VR space, more concrete information is still awaited as the device nears its launch.
• More on: https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/samsung-vr-headset-geekbench/

??Meta Exploring Lighter Mixed Reality "Glasses" for Potential 2027 Release

• As the XR landscape evolves with the arrival of Apple's Vision Pro, Meta is reportedly exploring new directions, including a lighter mixed reality device codenamed 'Puffin,' slated for a possible 2027 release.
• According to a report by The Information, this device, resembling a "bulky pair of glasses," is intended to serve as a more compact alternative to Meta's existing Quest line.
• Unlike augmented reality headsets, Puffin is expected to use pancake lenses paired with VR displays, suggesting a slim design similar to Bigscreen Beyond's PC VR headset.
• The device will likely forgo traditional Touch controllers in favor of hand and eye-tracking for input, following a trend set by Apple's Vision Pro.
• To reduce weight on the user's head, Puffin is also expected to incorporate an external processing puck and battery.
• With Meta Connect approaching in late September, more details might emerge, although the event is anticipated to center on the launch of the Quest 3S, Meta's next affordable headset, and new third-party devices running HorizonOS from partners like ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox.
• More on: https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-puffin-ultralight-headset-report/

??HTC Unveils No-Code Virtual World Builder with VIVERSE Create v1.0

• HTC has launched VIVERSE Create v1.0, a no-code tool suite that allows creators to build and share interactive multiplayer worlds on any device, including VR headsets, mobile devices, PCs, and Macs, directly through web browsers.
• VIVERSE Create enables users to craft immersive experiences without needing any coding skills or 3D modeling expertise, thanks to integrated access to the Sketchfab library, which offers millions of free models.
• With VIVERSE Create's cross-platform functionality, users can easily share their creations with a simple, secure link, making immersive entertainment accessible without the need for high-end hardware or installations.
• This tool suite also integrates HTC's recently announced Polygon Streaming technology, which optimizes the delivery of high-fidelity 3D models across devices, reducing bandwidth and processing power requirements.
• More on: https://www.news.viverse.com/post/htc-launches-no-code-virtual-world-builder-with-viverse-create

??Fans Revive Defunct Marvel VR Game as Single-Player Experience

• "Marvel Powers United VR," a Rift-exclusive game launched in 2018, was shut down in 2021 after receiving mixed reviews. The game, developed by Sanzaru Games, focused on multiplayer superhero action but did offer solo play.
• Now, a dedicated group of fans is reviving the game through the "Marvel Powers United Revival Project," a Discord community aiming to preserve the game despite its lack of multiplayer functionality.
• Their goal is to eventually restore full multiplayer capabilities for players who purchased the game before it was discontinued.
• This fan-driven effort highlights the ongoing issue of digital-only games disappearing from the internet and shows the passion of communities working to keep such games alive.
• More on: https://www.uploadvr.com/marvel-powers-united-resurrected/

??Impulse Explores ADHD in VR with Tilda Swinton Narration on Quest Headsets

• "Impulse: Playing With Reality," a 40-minute interactive documentary narrated by Tilda Swinton, is set to release on Quest headsets in September as part of Anagram's "Playing With Reality" collection.
• Following the 2021 release of "Goliath," which explored psychosis, "Impulse" dives into the complexities of ADHD, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the condition through mixed reality storytelling.
• The project, co-produced by Flore?al & France Te?le?visions and supported by various organizations, combines neuroscientific insights, personal narratives, and innovative gameplay to explore the intense emotions and experiences of those living with ADHD.
• With its release, the documentary hopes to raise awareness and foster empathy for ADHD by showcasing the challenges and creative potential associated with the condition.
• More on: https://www.uploadvr.com/impulse-on-quest-headsets-explores-adhd-narrated-by-tilda-swinton-2/

And that's all for this week!

??Discover fresh insights weekly, and share your thoughts on the latest news in the comments!