VR Weekly Roundup (12/02/2024): Valve Roy Controller Leaks, Black Friday Deals, and More!

Hey there, and happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my American friends! While we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving over here in Italy, I know how significant this holiday is in the US, Canada, and a few other countries. I hope those of you who did celebrate had a fantastic time with your loved ones. For everyone else, I trust you snagged some awesome deals during Black Friday! Personally, I picked up a few goodies, including a much-needed new phone. The old one was in such a bad state that a friend in Helsinki jokingly asked if there was a fund to help me buy a new one, lol. Before jumping into this week’s XR news, I’ve got a small update: I’ve officially joined Bluesky! So if you’re on that platform, feel free to follow me. The engagement on X has been dwindling a bit, so I’m exploring new avenues. But don’t worry, you can still catch me on X for now.

Moving on to the top stories of the week, we have an interesting discovery involving the Roy Controllers. Dataminers have unearthed 3D models of these controllers from SteamVR’s code. This discovery suggests that Valve is advancing towards finalizing these controllers, indicating that the release of their Deckard headset might be near. With these models already in SteamVR, there’s speculation that the headset kit could launch in 2025. The leaks had already hinted at it, but now we’re certain: the controllers boast bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, various buttons, and triggers, making them function much like a full gamepad. This setup will allow gamers to enjoy their entire Steam library on a large display through the headset. Additionally, the datamine reveals that Valve is employing technology from Arcturus Technologies for inside-out tracking, which has already shown promise in earlier demonstrations. This bodes well for Deckard’s mixed reality capabilities.

On a lighter note, the Cyber Monday deals just keep rolling in! Here are some standout offers I’ve found: The PSVR 2 is now priced attractively at $350 and comes bundled with the popular game Horizon Call of the Mountain. It’ll be intriguing to see how this impacts PlayStation’s headset sales, especially given the spike after their last discount. Then there’s the Pico 4 Ultra deal, which packs Pico Motion Trackers, games, and a month of VRChat Plus. In some US stores, you’ll find the Quest 3S available for $299.99, along with a $75 gift card. HTC, too, is jumping in with discounts: for instance, the Vive Focus Vision comes with a free DisplayPort adapter and a selection of games, and the Vive XR Elite and Vive Pro 2 are also available at reduced prices. On the Horizon (Quest) Store, using the code ‘BFCM24’ can get you up to a 40% discount on select games.

Switching gears, let’s talk about Apple. Rumor has it that they’ve been dabbling with XR tech since as far back as 2008! Everyone knows Apple likes to bide its time, launching products only when they’re polished and ready. But thanks to a journalist from Mac World, there’s evidence of a 2008 patent that hints at a VR headset – one that’s vaguely reminiscent of the Vision Pro. While big companies patent numerous technologies, with no guarantee they’ll come to fruition, it’s still fascinating to consider how long Apple has been interested in immersive experiences.

In platform news, VRChat’s new feature is turning heads. They’ve teamed up with Persona for age verification, using government IDs along with a camera-enabled phone or computer. This verification isn’t compulsory for every user but will be necessary for certain areas marked ‘Age Verification’. There’s even a “Verified 18+” badge for profiles that meet the criteria. The gradual rollout should help iron out any kinks before full implementation. This move is certainly a step in the right direction for creating age-specific experiences in social VR, allowing for deeper conversations and safer environments. It’ll be interesting to see how widely this verification will be adopted, especially since many users are hesitant to share personal IDs for verification.

Turning our attention to hardware, Pimax has opened orders for its Crystal Super headset, boasting impressive specs. It promises a near-retina PPD of 57 and offers an interchangeable optical system, allowing users to swap out the lenses and displays. Pimax, known for innovation and competitive prices in the PC VR space, also brings some challenges related to delivery timelines and customer communication. Reviews of the device will be crucial before forming a solid opinion on its performance.

Elsewhere in the AR world, there’s buzz about XREAL teasing a new launch set for December 4th. The specifics of the device remain a mystery, but the teaser suggests it might be a 6DOF augmented reality headset, which has everyone eager to learn more.

In amusing and refreshing research news, scientists from Flinders University have set up a mini virtual reality environment for insects. This new approach could pave the way for gaining deeper insights into insect behavior. Plus, there’s the quirky experiment from the University of Hong Kong focused on a virtual lollipop. By using hydrogels and iontophoresis, this innovative lollipop is designed to replicate various flavors when licked. Although the choice to feature the notoriously pungent durian flavor is a bit of a head-scratcher!

In the reading corner, I’m excited to share that Tom Emrich—an AR scene stalwart—just released his latest book, “The Next Dimension: How to Use Augmented Reality for Business Growth in the Era of Spatial Computing.” The book is packed with insights from diverse industries, highlighting AR’s potential benefits. If you’re considering incorporating AR in your business, this book could offer valuable guidance.

Now, for the gamers among us, a new mod has made the entire Halo: Combat Evolved campaign playable in VR on PC. The mod, available on GitHub, allows for an immersive experience with full motion controls, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Definitely worth checking out for any Halo enthusiasts!

And speaking of games, get ready for some fresh content: Resolution Games is rolling out Home Sports, a mixed reality sporting experience reminiscent of Wii Sports, on December 11th. On December 3rd, you can dive into the Premier League Player game on Meta Quest, while Trivia Crack World challenges your knowledge in VR for $10 on Quest.

Finally, if you’re looking to support a good cause, consider donating to the Red Cross, especially to aid those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. It’s a small way we can collectively make a big difference. A big shout out to all my Patreon supporters who help keep this platform going. Your backing is deeply appreciated.

Thanks for tuning in! As always, keep gaming and exploring new realities. Until next time!

(Header image thanks to Upload VR)