Wow, what a rollercoaster of a week it’s been for me, diving headfirst into the whirlwind of XR happenings while balancing a hefty workload. I wasn’t planning on adding yet another task to my list, but when Meta opened up camera access for Quest, I just couldn’t resist plunging in. Now, let’s untangle this week’s juiciest XR news—which, trust me, is quite a lot! Stick around till the end for a little surprise giveaway!
Highlight of the Week:
Niantic Hands Its Gaming Empire to Scopely:
In a surprising move, Niantic has parted ways with its entire gaming division, including the cherished Pokémon Go, selling it to Scopely for a staggering $3.85 billion. This sale positions Pokémon Go under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, taking quite an unexpected turn. Niantic, however, is redirecting its focus towards its budding geospatial technologies like AI and AR with a new endeavor called Niantic Spatial, which kickstarts with an impressive $250 million in funding.
This strategic shift leaves me in awe—and a bit bewildered. Letting go of Pokémon Go, Niantic’s golden goose, is a bold leap of faith into the future of XR. It speaks volumes about their confidence in AR’s potential profitability. Still, they’re boarding this XR ship without a safety net. If AR doesn’t catch on as swiftly as hoped (and let’s be honest, XR developments often take longer than anticipated), Niantic might find itself in hot water. Plus, retaining Pokémon Go could have served as a pivotal app for their upcoming hardware.
Hats off to John Hanke for having the audacity to pivot so dramatically. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and while it’ll either soar or stumble, he certainly earns my respect for making such a daring move.
For more insights, check out the full details at Road to VR and Upload VR.
Other Noteworthy News:
Meta’s Passthrough APIs Unleashed for Quest:
Meta has rolled out Passthrough APIs, making it possible for developers to tap into camera frames, enabling MR apps to understand and interact with their surroundings in a more sophisticated way. This feature, introduced for Quest and Quest 3S, is already sparking excitement and experimentation within the development community. I jumped on the bandwagon myself, crafting a comprehensive guide for developers to kickstart their journey with Passthrough Camera Access.
Meta’s approach mirrors Google’s envisioned pathway with Android XR, enhancing ease of cross-platform development between smartphones and headsets like the Quest. Though this feature remains experimental and apps leveraging it aren’t yet store-release eligible, similar past scenarios suggest it’s only a matter of time before this restriction lifts.
Find additional reading across Upload VR and related developer resources online.
VR Games Showcase at a Glance:
The latest VR Games Showcase drove some engaging announcements in the XR gaming space, even if no single bombshell dropped. I’ve cherry-picked some notable highlights:
- "Stay: Forever Home" prepares to launch on Quest this April, featuring a charming VR journey alongside a virtual pup.
- Hitman: World of Assassination for PSVR 2 reveals a slick trailer, hinting at potential greatness.
- Memoreum teases a thrilling trailer ahead of its Quest debut in September.
- Slender: The Arrival haunts its way to PS VR2, PC VR, and Quest this spring—it’s set to redefine scary.
- Flat2VR Studios unveiled four innovative titles adapted from traditional games, following solid success with earlier releases.
For a deeper dive into these announcements, explore the linked articles detailing each game.
Ultraleap’s Unfortunate Downsizing:
This week also bore sad news with Ultraleap, a once-thriving startup in haptics and hand tracking, now being dismantled. Its hand-tracking technology is transitioning to Roli, alongside significant layoffs and the sale of its IP to SIM IP. The future of devices embedding Ultraleap components hangs in uncertainty. Perhaps a more strategic acquisition before giants mastered their own hand tracking could have paved a different path.
More on this story available through various news platforms.
Samsung’s Project Moohan to Embrace Motion Controllers:
As reported by SamMobile, Samsung’s anticipated Project Moohan headset might debut with its own controllers, diverging from Apple’s hand-tracking-only approach. Bundling these controllers could bolster compatibility, easily transitioning content from other similar platforms like Meta Quest.
Further details are accessible through insightful report reads.
Meta’s Horizon World Struggles:
New World Notes recently spotlighted Horizon World’s shortfalls, highlighting a distinct lack of developer enthusiasm for virtual worlds. An intriguing twist reveals some employees resorted to faking engagement—an indicator of underlying motivation issues. It’s suggested that infrastructural decisions may also hinder the world-building experience.
Delve deeper into Horizon World’s challenges with comprehensive report links.
Additional Tidbits:
- Google seems poised to acquire AdHawk Microsystems, advancing its own eye-tracking initiatives—indicative of Google’s XR aspirations.
- Valve is rumored to be crafting a wireless VR dongle, enhancing connectivity and fluidity in PC VR gaming.
- Meta has incremented its features, adding microgesture recognition to its SDK—ushering in more seamless user interactions.
Find more on these developing stories through linked articles.
New Delays for Immersed’s Visor and More VR Farewells:
It’s a tough landscape for certain VR ventures, as Immersed faces production delays for its Visor headset amidst financial tumult, and companies like Phaser Lock and People Can Fly re-evaluate their VR gaming future. The latter’s decision reflects altering investment dynamics, possibly suggesting Meta’s shifting VR focus.
Read more about these challenging events and considerations.
Futuristic Experiments and Other Highlights:
Two mind-boggling experiments caught my eye, though not strictly XR-related. Cortical Labs’ biological computer blends neurons with chips, while researchers explore communication between dreamers. Intriguing and slightly troubling prospects for the future!
For information wrapping around some fantastic XR developments, MAGE presents buttery-smooth physics simulations on Quest, and Apple launches an immersive Metallica concert for Vision Pro.
Both Steam and Horizon Store host substantial VR game sales, offering bargains like Half-Life: Alyx at a sensational discount.
Content and Reviews:
In the world of content, a new rhythm venture "BEATABLE" is set to hit the scene, alongside exciting updates from multiple game titles. Reviews acclaim "Waltz Of The Wizard" for its hand tracking finesse and praise the exceptional multifaceted gameplay in "Mythic Realms."
Interested parties can explore numerous review insights and titles through linked content avenues.
Fun and Philanthropy:
Finally, don’t miss the fun links for a lighthearted look at XR quirks. And while you’re browsing, consider supporting those affected by global conflicts through the Red Cross, a cause close to our hearts. Enclosed are the donation details and acknowledgment to our generous patrons.
Stay curious and engaged, as XR continues to evolve and surprise beyond our wildest imaginations!
