virtual reality
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Fly through Umoove Experience, an addictive iOS game that uses face and eye tracking
This is very, very cool. Umoove Experience is a free, universal iOS game that lets you fly through a 3D environment and control your motions by moving your head and eyes. The game is more a technology demonstration than a full-blown game, but it's sure to give game developers some good ideas. When you start the game, it activates the front-facing camera. You are asked to move your head in four directions, and the app records your profile and movements. The game begins as you fly above a 3D-rendered village, and you change your course trying to grab purple magic potions, which extend your lifetime and let you explore the village environment. Once you get used to it, which doesn't take long, the game really is a pleasure to use. While flying around could get old after awhile, the fact that you are interacting with your hardware and the 3D game with slight movements feels quite liberating. The developer, Umoove Ltd. is offering an SDK for other companies to latch onto the technology, and I expect many others will integrate this into driving, flying or sports games. So Umoove Experience is a taste of what's to come, and it really is interesting. Since the game is free, give it a quick download and let it stimulate your imagination. The game requires at least iOS 5 and runs on the iPhone 4s and later, plus the iPad 2 and later.
Designer says Valve is 'days away' from launching VR software dev kit
Valve is reportedly "days away" from launching a virtual reality software development kit. The news comes from Valve designer Brian Coomer, who told BBC that the dev kit would give software developers a standard means of providing an interface for virtual reality headsets, like the Oculus Rift. The report says the kit will launch during Valve's Steam Developer Days conference, which begins on January 15 in Seattle. Coomer added that "there's also technology in development at Valve based around head-tracking and headset manufacture and design," and that Valve is "working with other companies right now but we have not made any specific announcements." Valve has some internal experience with virtual and augmented reality headsets in the past, as former Valve engineers Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson were granted permission to take the Cast AR glasses project with them when they left the company in February 2013. The now-independent Cast AR augmented reality headset went to Kickstarter in October, and earned $1,052,110 from backers in a month. Additionally, Valve added a virtual reality support category to Steam for the Oculus Rift in December. Oculus VR has received more support from Valve these days, as seen in the headset manufacturer's latest model, which we took for a test drive at CES 2014 this week.
Time Machines: NASA goes virtual at CES
Welcome to Time Machines, where we offer up a selection of mechanical oddities, milestone gadgets and unique inventions to test out your tech-history skills. In the weeks leading up to the biggest gadget show on Earth, we'll be offering a special look at relics from CES' past. Our willingness to trade biomass for bits has flourished lately, and nascent virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift owe at least some of the credit to NASA reasearch and its desire to delve into digital representations of reality. Head past the break for more of the story.
Oculus Rift makers get $75 million from investors to finish consumer model
Short of attending an industry event or ordering your own dev kit, it's a bit tricky to get your hands on an Oculus Rift VR headset. Soon, that could change: the company just secured $75 million in funding to bring the product to market. The extra capital comes from both Spark Capital and Formation|8 (early Oculus investors), as well as Andreessen Horowitz -- an investment firm known for funding companies like Jawbone, Facebook Twitter and Skype. As part of the deal, Andreessen Horowitz co-founder Mark Andreessen will join the Oculus VR board of directors. "We believe Oculus will not only alter the gaming landscape, but will redefine fundamental human experiences in areas like film, education, architecture and design," Andreessen said in the company's official statement. "We're incredibly excited to help them change the world."The influx of cash will help Oculus VR finish building the consumer version of its Rift VR headset, which promises to bring immersive experiences to Windows, Mac, Linux and Android devices. The company didn't go as far as announcing a release window for the headset just yet, but CEO Brendan Iribe seems optimistic. "This additional infusion of capital, as well as the leadership and experience of Marc Andreessen, will help us take the final steps toward our ultimate goal: making virtual reality something consumers everywhere can enjoy." Details are scarce for now, but we're told more details should be available tomorrow. Check out the full press release at the source link below
Oculus Rift probably isn't going to happen on Xbox One, PS4
The Oculus Rift has captured a fair amount of attention for its ability to help immerse its users in fictional worlds, but it seems that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners won't be part of its audience. "Consoles are too limited for what we want to do," Oculus Rift inventor Palmer Luckey told TechRadar. "We're trying to make the best virtual reality device in the world and we want to continue to innovate and upgrade every year - continue making progress internally - and whenever we make big jumps we want to push that to the public." There is currently a single model of the device planned for consumers that will be compatible with Android devices and PCs. The device's parent company, Oculus VR, recently recruited Doom programmer John Carmack as its Chief Technology Officer and is planning to release the Oculus Rift sometime next year.
EVE Evolved: Merging Valkyrie with EVE Online
Ever since its release in 2003, EVE Online has been bombarded with requests for direct flight controls and dogfighter-style gameplay. Most ships in EVE are huge lumbering hulks compared to real-world aircraft, more akin to large sea-faring ships than nimble jetfighters. Even tiny agile Interceptors can't be controlled directly, instead having the player issue commands to fly in a particular direction or move toward or orbit an object. As a result, combat in EVE has become much more heavily about the strategy of directing fleets of dozens or hundreds of ships than any kind of piloting skill or twitch control. This year's EVE Fanfest gave players a glimpse into the world of immersive twitch combat with the announcement of a new dogfighting game set in the EVE Online universe. Originally starting out as an virtual reality experiment by a few developers in their spare time, EVE Valkyrie has now become a full game in its own right and an example of what's possible with the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. It was always assumed that Valkyrie was an EVE game in name and theme only, but recently developers have revealed that they'd like it to tie into the actual EVE Online universe itself. In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at recently revealed information on EVE Valkyrie and speculate on how it could be integrated into the EVE universe.
Sony opens pre-orders for wireless personal 3D viewer
Sony is preparing to launch a new personal head-mounted display, the Sony HMZ-T3W. This wireless visor is up for pre-order at Sony Stores and select nationwide retailers right now for $999. The headset, compatible with PC, consoles, tablets and smartphones through HDMI, is part of Sony's third generation of head-mounted displays and features twin OLED screens. This latest set-up has a lighter frame, flexible headbands and a built-in battery pack (good for three hours) for increased portability. It also supports up to 7.1 surround sound. Our pals at Engadget went heads-on with the device last month and enjoyed some of the improvements Sony made to this third go at fancy headgear. Sony hasn't said when it'll start shipping the HMZ-T3W, but if you want to get an idea for how you'll look in this voluptuous visor head to Sony's site.
Commercial Reality: Why the man behind EVE Online is betting on VR while others aren't
Hilmar Pétursson is convinced virtual reality gaming will be mainstream in 2014. It's a bold claim to put to people who, by next year, will have been exhausted by next-gen console purchases. But Pétursson has already tasked 20 engineers at his company, CCP, with creating what looks set to be the first major game designed solely for the Oculus Rift VR headset. EVE Valkyrie is a high-profile commitment: a Wing Commander-esque dogfighting title, which will tie into the same universe as CCP's main PC and console properties, EVE Online and Dust 514. The question is whether significant numbers of gamers will choose to spend an estimated $300 on a pair of Oculus goggles. For a number of reasons -- some immediate, some futuristic and others downright outlandish -- Pétursson believes they'll come up with the money. They won't be able to stop themselves.
Oculus Rift VR Jam finalists announced - here there be dragons
Oculus and IndieCade have announced the VR Jam 2013 finalists. If you've got an Oculus Rift and the compatible hardware, 14 of the 20 finalists are available to download and check out for yourself. Reinforcing the common knowledge that dragons are awesome and everyone wants to be a dragon, there's not one, but two dragon simulators on the list: Dragon by James Scott, and Epic Dragon by Aurelian Kerbeci. The winning team will be announced September 19, at which point they'll receive the $10,000 grand prize and a trip to Oculus HQ. The winning team will also receive a trip to the IndieCade Festival, which runs October 3 - 6, where they'll have a showcase exhibition of their game. Check out the full list of finalists after the break.
CCP adds Owen O'Brien to EVE: Valkyrie roster
CCP has announced its new Executive Producer for the multiplayer dogfighting shooter EVE: Valkyrie; Owen O'Brien is joining the team based at the company's Newcastle studio. O'Brien previously hails from the development studio DICE (owned by publisher EA), where he had a long tenure leading the production of the first-person action game Mirror's Edge. EVE: Valkyrie, set for release in 2014, utilizes virtual reality to give players the sense of being a real pilot in an EVE Online spaceship. On his appointment to this new position, O'Brien said: "The opportunity to work with a focused, talented and passionate team at the forefront of game-changing technology is a dream scenario for me. But it's not just about the technology. This was a project born out of a genuine passion for gaming, and that shows in what the team has already achieved." [Source: CCP Games press release]
Why Oculus Rift needs an auto-pause feature for horror games
Think about it. You're playing Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs – or even worse, Outlast – with an Oculus Rift strapped to your face and headphones growling in your ears, roaming haunted halls in full, immersive 3D. You're peering around corners, waiting for the next monster to leap out of the shadows and attack. You clear a room, take a breath, and turn around – to see a vicious beast staring directly into your eyes. You'll rip those VR goggles off your face as quickly as possible, guaranteed. This video from YouTube user Christopher Andersen is proof-of-concept for the above scenario, played out with Dreadhalls. It also offers a compelling argument for developers to include an "auto-pause" feature triggered by a sudden, jarring camera flip in Oculus Rift horror games. And maybe all of those "falling really quickly" games. And probably in games with sharks. Jump to the 3 minute mark for those who like their scares fast.
Rumor: Sony PS4 virtual reality set to be revealed
A double-dose of Sony virtual reality tech rumors out of Europe today: First up is CVG, which reports Sony is set to announce a VR set for PlayStation 4 at the Tokyo Game Show in a couple weeks. At the same time, Eurogamer reports Sony is expected to reveal the device in 2014. Sony has been experimenting with virtual reality products for a few years; that part is no secret. The likely reason for all of this virtual reality chatter is the buzz surrounding Oculus Rift. The device is gaining traction in the development community and the company announced last month it landed id Software co-founder John Carmack as Chief Technology Officer.
Virtuix Omni gaming treadmill now taking pre-orders
They say a nice rug really ties the room together, but surely a gigantic, costly treadmill dedicated to gaming would do just as well. If you're so inclined, the Virtuix Omni is now accepting pre-orders. The Virtuix Omni is an omni-directional treadmill that, when combined with Oculus Rift, aims to offer the most immersive virtual reality gaming experience to date. $500 will snag you one treadmill with special belt, shoes and tracking hardware and software. The "Duel Deluxe" package for $1,020 will net you two treadmills and aforementioned accouterments, plus a third pair of the special shoes. Shipping costs (this thing is heavy) will be incurred when the Virtuix Omni is delivered in March 2014. When the Virtuix Omni began its Kickstarter pledge drive, the device was only seeking $150,000 - that goal was exceeded in the first day alone. After 30 days, the Virtuix Omni was able to secure over $1.1 million in crowdfunding.
Vendetta Online now compatible with Oculus Rift
Guild Software has announced the debut of Oculus Rift compatibility with Vendetta Online, the company's long-running space-based MMORPG. While genre heavyweights like EVE Online and Star Citizen are experimenting with Rift, Vendetta "marks the first time a live MMORPG has officially released support" for the virtual reality tech, according to a Guild press release. Vendetta's Rift release coincides with a significant graphics update which brings more detailed planets and procedural nebulas to the game. Vendetta's space trading and real-time combat gameplay is available on a huge variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and OUYA. "For the moment, [Rift] support is limited to the Windows version of our game, but we intend to expand this to other platforms with device compatibility," said Guild founder and creative director John Bergman. [Source: Vendetta press release]
Minecraft meets Omni virtual reality rig, PC game gets new launcher
Minecraft may not be the most action-packed experience, but all that walking is the only thing the Omni virtual reality rig needs. Above: Two Omni developers take Minecraft multiplayer for a spin, demonstrating the high-voltage strolling, jogging and jumping that players can expect from the game in VR. The Omni Kickstarter still has 20 days to go, and is currently at $970,000 of its $150,000 goal. For everyone without an Omni set-up – and those with one, eventually – Minecraft has a brand new launcher on PC. The new launcher is required to play the game's most recent version, Minecraft 1.6, and any future updates. This new interface supports multiple usernames within one Mojang account, though that feature isn't yet enabled through Mojang itself. The new system will update automatically, without the need for these pesky manual updates, and single-player content is available offline. Players must be offline for that to be the case, or the launcher will continue its attempts to reach the Minecraft servers.
CCP's Sean Decker and Hilmar Petursson on the future of EVE, DUST 514, EVE-VR, and mobile gaming
Earlier today, CCP Games announced that industry veteran Sean Decker is coming on board as Senior Vice President of Product Development. Sean's laundry-list of industry experience includes a recent 12-year stint at EA, where he headed up the Play4Free division. This has naturally led to some trepidation within the EVE Online community, which has been extremely wary of free-to-play and microtransaction-based business practices since the Monoclegate scandal in 2011. I caught up with Sean Decker and CCP CEO Hilmar Petursson last night to get the low-down on Sean's role, how he will influence EVE and CCP's other products, and what the future has in store for DUST 514 and EVE-VR. Sean is to be the head of product development across all of CCP's games, not just the free-to-play titles, but I wouldn't worry about EVE going free to play any time soon. "I don't think [free-to-play] is the be all and end all business model," Sean told me, adding that he understands that the subscription model better fits some games. Read on for more information on the future of EVE Online, DUST 514, EVE-VR, and CCP's first foray into mobile gaming.
Surgeon Simulator 2013 takes a stab at Oculus Rift
Surgeon Simulator 2013 doesn't look any easier on Oculus Rift than it is on PC – and that's awesome. As a game that's a basically QWOP for wannabe open-heart surgeons, the more precarious the controls, the better the game. With this build of Surgeon Simulator in Oculus Rift, the player controls the hand and arm only, while field of view is dictated by the player's head moving around. Just like a real surgeon. Kind of. Maybe. Bossa Studios announced Oculus Rift and Razer Hydra support for Surgeon Simulator earlier in June, and we're happy to report that it appears none of the game's ridiculous charm has dissipated with its virtual reality form.
Next3D's plan to bring recorded video to the Oculus Rift
The dream of wearing a lightweight headset, like the Oculus Rift, in order to simulate physical presence isn't limited to the imaginary worlds of video games. One man's vision is that of immersive TV shows, movies and live sports. In fact, David Cole, co-founder of Next3D and an industry veteran who helps content creators and providers produce and deliver 3D, has been using his Rift dev kit to bring TV and film to life since the kits started shipping in March. The company is combining its video processing and compression technology with its experience in content production and stereoscopic delivery to offer what it's called Full-Court. Next3D hopes to leverage its existing relationships with creators and providers to assist them in jumping into the world of live-action VR content. This includes both pre-recorded and live broadcasts. We wanted to see this firsthand, so we jumped at the opportunity to witness the creation of content and experience the results. This trial run of Next3D's stereoscopic, 180-degree field-of-view camera rig, and the post-processing to adapt it to VR, was part of the production of the paranormal investigation show, Anomaly, at Castle Warden in St. Augustine, Fla. Being nearby, we braved the perils of the haunted surroundings to tell you about what we hope is only the beginning of virtual reality content.
In the EVE VR cockpit: CCP's space dogfighting demo for Oculus Rift
As I strapped into my faux-fighter, thanks to CCP's EVE VR Oculus Rift demo, nothing could've prepared me for the large-scale space battle to come. Controlling my ship was surprisingly easy with the Xbox 360 controller. The shoulder buttons handle yaw, but the left analog stick was effective at dictating ship orientation on its own. Looking toward enemy ships and focusing on them for a few moments would lock missiles. In movies, lining up a ship and opening fire looks fairly easy; in EVE VR, this is a difficult feat for a newbie such as myself. I've always entertained the idea that, should my Joystiq career come to a premature end, I could always fall back on being a space fighter pilot – you know, that old chestnut. After my performance in EVE VR, however, I'll have to rethink that strategy. At least I wasn't wearing a red shirt.
EVE Online flirts with virtual reality
At this year's Fanfest, EVE Online teased the possibility of putting players into the game with the magic of virtual reality. The VR demo, courtesy of an Oculus Rift dev kit, turned a few heads both metaphorically and literally. Today, CCP put forth a blog post explaining the hows and whys that went into this intriguing project. CCP Karuck details the journey that led the team to adapting the studio's flagship title for a VR headset: "We brought up many genres and styles, but in the end decided to make a game in the EVE universe where players could fly fighter spaceships. That idea just checked all the boxes, and who hasn't wanted to experience first-person space flight in EVE?" Challenges for the team including modifying the UI to work with a headset and tweaking the experience so that users wouldn't get motion sickness. Karuck estimates that around a thousand players tried out the EVE VR demo at fanfest, and the team has plans to bring it to E3 for press previews. Still, he admits that he doesn't know what is in store for the future of it all: "We still don't know what will become of this little project of ours, with CCP considering various options."
