‘Sparc’, the 1v1 VR Sport From CCP Games, Launches Today on PSVR
Originally starting its life as an experimental VR project called ‘Project Arena’, the competitive-focused VR sport Sparc launches today on PSVR.
‘Dance Tonite’ is an Excellent (and groovy) Showcase of WebVR’s Potential
Amsterdam-based interactive designer Jonathan Puckey and Studio Moniker’s collaboration with Google’s Data Arts Team has produced a compelling experience called Dance Tonite, which runs from a single website and offers something for everyone from mobile to desktop to VR. Users with VR headsets can view and participate in an ‘ever-changing’ interactive performance of LCD Soundsystem’s single Tonite.
Hands-on: Microsoft’s “Mixed Reality” VR Motion Controllers
Microsoft debuted the lengthily-named “Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers” back in May, but until now we haven’t had a chance to actually try them out. During a recent meeting with Microsoft in San Francisco, I got to try the VR controllers for the first time paired with the Acer Windows VR headset.
SteamVR Will Support Windows VR Headsets
Microsoft today announced that Windows VR headsets will be able to play SteamVR content.
“Future Halo experiences” Coming to Windows VR Headsets, Microsoft Says
Microsoft today announced that 343 Industries, the studio tasked with overseeing the Halo franchise, will be creating Halo-themed experiences for the company’s lineup of VR headsets.
‘Mixed Reality Ultra PCs’ Will Run Windows VR Headsets With Higher Refresh Rates & Better Graphics
Microsoft is planning to divvy up so-called ‘Mixed Reality PCs’ into two categories, standard and Ultra. PCs meeting the higher specification will be designated ‘Ultra’ and will run Windows VR headsets at higher framerates and with better graphics.
Windows VR Headset and Controller Bundles Launch This Holiday Starting at $400
Microsoft today announced that the company will be bundling its Windows VR headsets and motion controllers, and making them available for purchase this holiday season starting at $400. Revealed by Alex Kipman, HoloLens’ chief inventor and technical lead, a “variety” of headsets and motion controllers will be available by end of year from HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Acer.
Here’s 67 Apps and Companies Planning to Support Windows VR Headsets
Microsoft today announced a bevy of information regarding their upcoming Windows VR headset launch, which will see headsets from Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo coming this holiday season starting at $400. Revealed today by HoloLens chief inventor and project lead Alex Kipman, the Windows VR headsets have been confirmed to work with at least 67 apps—including games, experiences, and 360 video platforms.
Microsoft Patents Wand-Like Augmented Reality Controller
Microsoft’s HoloLens already has a physical input device, the HoloLens Clicker, but in a recently published patent, we may be getting a peek into what the company was initially planning before they decided to include each HoloLens with the tiny 3DoF device.
Mod Makes ‘Alien: Isolation’ VR Mode Compatible With Oculus Rift & HTC Vive
Alien: Isolation (2014) is a survival horror game that’s rich detail, atmosphere, and tense moments make it a great candidate for terrifying VR experience. A new mod has been released which adds VR support to the game for the consumer version of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
You Can Save $500 on Meta 2 Dev Kit If You Order Before Monday’s Price Hike
Following several months of delays, the last we heard from Meta was that they expected the Meta 2 AR dev kit to begin “volume shipping” in August. Now as we approach the end of the month it appears that the company is confident about ramping up shipping and says the headset’s $950 pre-order price will expire on Monday, August 28th, after which it will be raised to $1,500.
‘FORM’ Developers Confirm Work on New VR Project
It’s been a good week for fans of FORM: the game has made its way to the Oculus store (and received Rift support on Steam), and now the developers have confirmed work on a new VR project.
PTSD Exposure Therapy in VR: Importance of Storytelling & Emotional Presence in Healing Trauma
Dr. Skip Rizzo heads the Medical VR Research Group at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, which has been exploring how to use VR for psychological treatments, cognitive assessment, motor rehabilitation therapy, as well as interactions with virtual humans. He’s been on the forefront of using virtual reality to treat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder with virtual exposure therapy.
Hands-on: ‘Kat Walk’ Proves That VR Treadmills Are Getting Better, but Still Aren’t Perfect
Despite completing a successful Kickstarter back in August 2015, there still aren’t many Kat Walk VR treadmills outside of Asia, let alone the premium version specially built for out-of-home facilities like theme parks, malls, and cruise ships. The short reason: it’s just too damn heavy, and shipping it from the manufacturing plant in China isn’t easy. Acting as the sole distributor for Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, the Netherland-based reseller Virtuo VR took to this year’s Gamescom to show off their flagship product, the Kat Walk Premium VR Treadmill and Kat PC Control Station combo, a hefty all-in-one commercial unit built with high traffic, as well as a high price (€11,900) in mind. As a note, both the smaller consumer version and the commercial version sans computer retail for significantly less.
Oculus and Crytek Explore New & Novel Methods of VR Locomotion
Oculus has teamed up with Crytek to share a series of VR game design learnings. The second and latest post in the series explores eight prototype methods for moving or rotating in virtual reality.
