It’s a sunny day at the end of March, and having just wrapped up a project, I’m excited to dive into some of the biggest AR and VR stories from the past week. Plus, I might just have to touch on the “Studio Ghibli” AI excitement that’s buzzing around!
Highlights of the Week
Samsung has been making waves with hints that it might release XR glasses later this year. A Korean magazine, ETNews, reports that these could bring some interesting features like built-in cameras and sensors for tracking. Whether these will be AR glasses or smartglasses is still under wraps. The codename for the project is Haen, which translates to “coast” in Korean. The anticipation is building as Samsung is also expected to roll out Project Moohan, aiming to make 2025 a strong return for Samsung in the XR field.
Vivo is joining the race too, announcing its Vision headset. While they haven’t revealed much, the design bears a striking resemblance to the Vision Pro. It’s slated for a 2025 unveiling, signaling Vivo’s serious commitment to mixed reality.
In Meta’s world, Chris Pruett’s talk at GDC brought up some fascinating insights. Meta predicts that a rising number of adults will engage with Quest predominantly for media viewing rather than gaming. This could signify a shift in the Quest ecosystem towards becoming more of a premium entertainment hub. Developers might need to pivot focus depending on Meta’s future content strategies, which remain uncertain but could move more towards movie optimizations.
Aside from these developments, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is scheduled for June 9, and it’s expected to feature the unveiling of visionOS 3. Meanwhile, Pimax is gearing up to ship its Crystal Super headset imminently, widening the horizon for VR enthusiasts.
Game and Software Updates
PlayStation fans, take note! The PlayStation Spring Sale is in full swing with a heap of discounts, including over 60 VR2 titles. It’s the perfect time to expand your gaming library.
In content news, ILM and Lucasfilm are working on Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a new mixed reality game exclusive to Quest platforms. It’s rumored to feature podracing elements and will align with the timeline of the Han Solo prequel.
Meanwhile, IO Interactive’s Hitman World of Assassination has been released for PlayStation VR2, and the feedback is glowing. However, there’s disappointment for System Shock 2 fans as Meta has canceled the VR version of the game. Additionally, the RoboCop VR game has fallen through due to licensing issues.
Upcoming Releases and Announcements
Shooter enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that HARD BULLET is set to arrive on Quest 3 soon. Orion Drift has seen a significant update, and Elements Divided, inspired by The Last Airbender, is landing on Quest and PC VR later this month.
Noteworthy updates are also coming to No Man’s Sky, with a paleontological twist arriving in its RELICS update, and racing fans can look forward to F1 25 on Steam at the end of May.
Reflecting on Industry Dynamics
A noteworthy editorial has chastised Valve for its prolonged absence from developing major VR games since the release of Alyx. Despite its success, the company seems to have paused its VR content creation, which has left many puzzled given Valve’s resources and influence.
Finally, a shout-out to some exciting experiments with camera access on Quest. Developers are performing remarkable feats like world-based copy-paste and dynamic lighting for virtual elements.
Before signing off, a warm thank you to all Patreon supporters who’ve contributed to this ongoing journey. Your backing makes all these explorations possible!
In the spirit of community support, please consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Your contributions can make a difference in these challenging times.
That’s a wrap for today’s discussion of the latest in AR and VR. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we continue to navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
