XR Weekly Update (02.12.2024): Leak of Valve Roy Controllers 3D Models, Black Friday VR Offers, and More!

To all my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving weekend! While we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Italy, I know how significant it is in the U.S., Canada, and several other places, so I truly hope you enjoyed a fantastic time with your loved ones. For those who didn’t have the holiday but did enjoy the shopping frenzy of Black Friday, I hope you snagged some amazing deals! Personally, I picked up a few goodies, the main one being a new phone because my old one was in such bad shape it was practically unusable for work. The turning point for me was when a friend from Helsinki joked about setting up a fundraising effort to get me a new one! Oh, and one more thing before diving into the latest XR updates: I’ve joined Bluesky! So, if you’re on that platform, feel free to follow me there as well. I’ve noticed it’s becoming increasingly difficult to connect with folks on X, so I’m giving Bluesky a shot—we’ll see how it pans out! I’m not leaving X just yet, so you’ll find me active on both.

Top News of the Week

A fascinating discovery by dataminers in the SteamVR files has revealed 3D models of the Valve Roy controllers, previously leaked. This strongly hints that Valve is advancing towards finalizing these products, suggesting that the launch of the Deckard headset might not be far off, possibly happening by 2025. The leaked models confirm prior details: the controllers are equipped with bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, buttons, triggers for index and grip, plus system buttons. Together, these components enable gamepad-like functionality, allowing players to immerse themselves in Steam’s game library through a headset. Intriguingly, the data also points to Valve’s utilization of Arcturus Technologies for inside-out tracking. Arcturus’ tech, showcased as early as 2020, is known for its reliable inside-out tracking and stereo-corrected passthrough, which bodes well for the Deckard headset’s mixed reality capabilities.

For more insights, you might want to check out articles specifically discussing the Valve Roy controllers, Arcturus technology, and their integration.

Cyber Monday Deals Galore!

The sales extravaganza from Black Friday leading into Cyber Monday is in full swing, especially if you’re in the market for VR gear. There are some exciting deals you might want to consider:

• PSVR 2 has dropped its price to $350, coupled with the game Horizon Call Of The Mountain. It’ll be interesting to see the impact of such a discount on headset sales, given the impressive results from the last sale.

• The Pico 4 Ultra comes bundled with Pico Motion Trackers, three games, and a month of VRChat Plus.

• In certain U.S. locations, the Quest 3S is available for $299.99 with a $75 gift card thrown in.

• HTC has some enticing offers too: the Vive Focus Vision includes a free DisplayPort adapter and a game bundle, the Vive XR Elite is discounted by $100 ($150 if bundled with three Vive Ultimate Trackers), and the Vive Pro 2 sees a $400 discount on full sets or $200 off just the headset.

Additionally, you can score up to 40% off select titles on the Horizon (Quest) Store with the code ‘BFCM24’. This code isn’t a one-time thing—you can use it for multiple purchases.

For an exhaustive list, check out articles on discounts across Quest, Pico, SteamVR, and PlayStation stores, among others.

Has Apple Dabbled in XR Since 2008?

It’s a widely acknowledged fact that Apple spent about seven years developing the Apple Vision Pro before its release. True to Apple’s philosophy of not necessarily being the first but striving to be the best, this long development phase aligns with their strategy. However, there’s evidence suggesting Apple might have toyed with XR concepts much earlier. A journalist from Mac World recently unearthed a 2008 patent filed by Apple, which describes a VR headset. The draft images in the patent bear some resemblance to the Vision Pro. At the time, the journalist noted the patent involved a wearable display designed to simulate a virtual experience using intelligent sensors, detecting head and eye movements to enhance realism. While companies often file patents for various reasons, sometimes just to beef up their portfolio, this discovery suggests Apple was exploring immersive XR concepts earlier than previously thought, even before the Oculus Rift.

For more detailed accounts, consider diving into articles surrounding Apple’s XR history.

VRChat Takes a Step Toward Age Verification

In a significant move, VRChat is teaming up with Persona to integrate age verification using government IDs alongside a phone or computer camera. This won’t be a platform-wide requirement but will apply to specific instances that use an Age Verification setting. Users who have verified their age can choose to display a "Verified 18+" badge on their VRChat profile. The rollout will start with select groups to troubleshoot any issues before larger implementation. Some events will also test this process. I believe this initiative is crucial for social VR: users have long called for more distinct age-separated interactions, so adults can have mature discussions while kids enjoy carefree fun with peers. Age verification facilitates this separation, allowing for age-appropriate interactions. However, I’m curious to see how many will opt into verification. During my time at VRROOM, a similar idea was met with resistance due to privacy concerns. VRChat’s approach of optional verification for specific instances is smart, allowing those uncomfortable with sharing ID details to continue using VRChat without it.

For more information, you might find articles about VRChat’s verification partnership particularly insightful.

News Worth a Mention

The VR landscape continues to shift with various noteworthy developments. Let’s explore a few of them:

• Pimax Launches Crystal Super and Prime: Pimax has released a headset boasting impressive specs, including a 3840x3840x2 resolution and a PPD of 57, promising near-retina display quality. However, the PC VR community is perplexed by Pimax’s introduction of a software subscription tied to this device. The overall package costs about $1700, with a 24-month subscription plan and a final pay-off option.

• XREAL’s New AR Glasses: Mark your calendars for December 4th when XREAL plans to unveil its new AR glasses. We don’t yet know if they’ll be for casual media consumption or something more immersive, but the anticipation is building.

• Innovative VR Research: In a quirky twist, researchers have devised a VR setup for insects at Flinders University, leading to potentially groundbreaking studies on their behaviors.

• Virtual Flavor with a New Lollipop: The University of Hong Kong has introduced a virtual lollipop with flavorings like sugar and even durian. This uses iontophoresis to release flavors, offering a novel taste experience in VR.

• Tom Emrich’s New Book: Tom Emrich has published “The Next Dimension,” detailing how AR can drive business growth. Full of insights, it’s a must-read for those keen to explore AR applications.

• Halo in VR: If you’re a Halo fan, you’re in for a treat! A mod now enables you to play the entire Halo: Combat Evolved campaign in VR on PC, complete with motion controls and rebindable buttons.

For further reading, you might want to delve into articles related to each news piece for in-depth coverage.

A Glimpse of What’s Happening in Content

If you’re on the lookout for fresh VR content, here are a few releases and updates that could pique your interest:

• Keep an eye out for Home Sports, a mixed reality game dropping in December.
• The Premier League Player game is launching on Meta Quest.
• Trivia Crack World is now available on Quest.
• Meet the fascinating Spatial Web Shooter for Vision Pro, providing a Spidey-like experience.

In the Realm of Reviews

Finally, here’s a quick look at some recent content reviews:

• The game “Trombone Champ: Unflattened” is a hit, skillfully transferring its flat-screen gameplay mechanics into the VR environment, making it incredibly engaging.

Other Happenings

Just a quick roundup of additional XR news:

• The debut of Zero V2, Miroslav Kotalík’s next iteration of open AR glasses.

• The ANNAPRO A2 strap could significantly enhance Apple Vision Pro comfort.

• Despite varied efforts, the PCVR market shows slow or stagnant growth according to the latest industry stats.

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(Header image by Upload VR)

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