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Harmonix's rhythmic shooter 'Audica' is coming to PSVR this fall
When Harmonix revealed its virtual reality rhythm shooter Audica back in February, there was a notable omission from the announced platforms: PlayStation VR. Players with that headset won't have to wait a whole lot longer to dive in and blast away at notes though, as Audica is coming to PSVR this fall.
HBO's 'Westworld Awakening' VR game arrives August 20th
HBO has announced a Westworld virtual reality game, and you won't have to wait long before you can play it. Westworld Awakening -- which it produced with Survios, Kilter Films and the help of Westworld's showrunners -- will hit Oculus Store, Viveport and Steam Tuesday, but only for headsets linked to PCs. There aren't any current plans to release it for Oculus Quest. The game will also be playable in hundreds of VR arcades across the planet, and there's a pretty intense trailer to whet your appetite.
'No Man's Sky VR' arrives August 14th with 'Beyond' update
No Man's Sky has won over many players after its rough launch, thanks in large part to a string of major updates that brought long-awaited features to the game. The next big release, No Man's Sky: Beyond, was revealed several months ago, and now Hello Games says it'll be available August 14th.
Facebook wants Quill to be a one-stop shop for VR animators
Facebook's Quill is a tool that helps artists create virtual reality illustrations and animations, and the latest version will offer them more ways to realize their visions. Quill 2.0 has additional features allowing animators to make their creations entirely within VR, from their initial concept sketches through to a completed project.
A virtual reality massage center will open in Los Angeles this week
Los Angeles residents will soon be able to float off into distant worlds while their aches are soothed in a virtual reality massage center, which opening this Friday, July 5th. At the outset, the Esqapes Immersive Relaxation Center, supposedly the first of its kind, will offer 10 different VR environments for you to try and relax in, including a sauna, a koi pond at an ocean-side resort and a ski cabin with a crackling fireplace.
Respawn will share more about its 'AAA' VR shooter later this year
Back in 2017, Facebook and Respawn Entertainment revealed the developer was working on a virtual reality AAA shooter. While things have been fairly secretive since (so much so that it might have fallen off your radar), we'll hear more about it at this year's Oculus Connect, which is scheduled for September 25th to 26th in San Jose.
'Game of Thrones' VR experience lets you join the Night's Watch
If you haven't quite come to terms with Game of Thrones ending, you might be pleased to learn there's a VR title based on the series arriving this week called Beyond The Wall. You'll join the Night's Watch and defend The Wall against an army of the dead in the game, which will be exclusive to HTC's Viveport Infinity subscription service.
Nintendo adds a Labo VR view to 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate' (updated)
It looks like you'll soon be able to beat up your friends in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from an entirely different perspective. It seems the hit Switch fighting game is getting a virtual reality mode via the Labo Toy-Con VR Goggles, according to a Twitter bot for SSBU patch notes (which has a track record of revealing them around 12 hours before Nintendo does).
Qualcomm made a headset to remind the world it has an AR chip
Last year, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon XR1 chip just for virtual reality devices, but so far, we haven't seen any headsets built to use it. Now, for Augmented World Expo, the company has released its own "Smart Viewer Reference Design" headset in order to reduce AR and VR headset development time. It looks to hold a lot of potential, packing just about every feature you'd want in a VR/AR wearable.
Sony envisions 'clothes' with haptic feedback for PSVR
Sony might have grander virtual reality ambitions for the PlayStation 5 beyond a headset and traditional controllers to let you play games Ready Player One-style in a body suit. It filed a patent for a VR glove with haptic feedback, and suggested it may even bring the tech to other clothing, meaning you could potentially "touch" an in-game item when you pick it up, feel every blow in Call of Duty or get a sense of what it's like to be sacked in Madden.
National Geographic is bringing an Antarctic adventure to Oculus Quest
National Geographic is delving deeper into VR with a 30-minute Antarctic adventure that will hit Oculus Quest this spring. In National Geographic Explore VR, you'll be tasked with finding a lost penguin colony. The adventure will take you on a kayak ride through frigid water, and on a climb up an ice sheet as you search for the missing birds.
'Star Wars' VR game 'Vader Immortal' teases story details in trailer
One of the launch titles you'll get to check out on Oculus Quest when it arrives this spring is Vader Immortal, a virtual reality series set in the Star Wars universe. Rift and Rift S owners won't miss out, though -- the game is coming to those headsets too, as revealed at Star Wars Celebration alongside a trailer for the first episode.
'Beat Saber' will be available for Oculus Quest on day one
Beat Saber is practically a mandatory game for any VR platform worth its salt, and Oculus knows it. The company has announced that Beat Games' rhythm title will be available for the Oculus Quest when the headset launches this spring. There aren't any mentions of new features for the slice-and-poke music title, but the Quest's self-contained design might be enough of a plus by itself. You won't have to worry about tripping over wires just because your performance was enthusiastic.
HTC's unlimited VR service launches April 2nd for $99 per year
HTC is nearly ready to launch its unlimited Viveport Infinity service after months of teasing. The VR subscription tier is launching on April 2nd for $13 per month or $99 per year, and will offer more than 600 apps and games for both Vive headsets and Oculus Rift. Your access will also carry over to stand-alone headsets based on Vive's Wave platform. You'll also get perks such as a revised Viveport Video app, monthly 10 percent discount coupons and the occasional freebie.
Insta360 Evo captures 180- and 360-degree content for VR headsets
Following the powerful One X 360 camera (and some fun updates), Insta360 is now back with a rather eccentric device that aims to make better use of your VR headsets. The new Insta360 Evo is a dual-mode camera that captures 360 content when folded into a cube, as well as 180 3D content when unfolded (remember Lenovo's VR camera?). What's more, this convertible camera can stream freshly captured content directly to the likes of HTC Vive Focus, Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR, which will likely motivate users to create more VR content.
'Kingdom Hearts' PlayStation VR experience launches tomorrow
Square Enix released a VR Kingdom Hearts experience for Japanese gamers in January, so where's the release for everyone else? Right around the corner, apparently. Sony has confirmed that Kingdom Hearts: VR Experience will be available on February 28th. The free PlayStation VR title serves as a sort of trip down memory lane, letting you relive key scenes from the Disney/Square crossover from Sora's perspective. This isn't a slice of familiar gameplay in 360 degrees, unfortunately, but it might spark some familiar emotions.
Microsoft workers demand end to HoloLens contract with US Army
You can add Microsoft to the growing list of companies whose staff are objecting to the use of their technology for some military purposes. A group of Microsoft workers has published an open letter to CEO Satya Nadella and legal chief Brad Smith asking them to end a $479 million HoloLens contract with the US Army. They contended that Microsoft is effectively developing weapons by helping the Army create a platform that helps its soldiers train and fight using augmented reality. It not only helps kill people, but turns war "into a simulated 'video game'" that disconnects infantry from the "grim stakes" of combat, the workers argued.
Harmonix's answer to 'Beat Saber' is a VR rhythm shooter
Beat Saber has become something of a hit in the rhythm game scene thanks to its clever VR mechanics, and the veterans at Harmonix clearly want to offer their own response. They've unveiled Audica, a VR-only title where you blast the notes instead of slicing or tapping them. You're testing both your aim and your knack for keeping time, really. The soundtrack includes tunes from "some of the world's most popular electronic artists" (no Rock Band-style jams here), and you'll naturally compete against others on global leaderboards.
Microsoft posts HoloLens 2 teaser ahead of February 24th launch
You've had to wait a long, long time for news about HoloLens 2, but it's finally right around the bend. Device creator Alex Kipman has posted a teaser for the mixed reality headset that confirms its premiere just before Mobile World Congress on February 24th. The clip itself is cryptic, with vague allusions to processors and possibly carbon fiber (which could help reduce the weight). Not that you'd need to read the tea leaves to have an idea of what to expect -- there have already been a few clues.
HP's 'Copper' VR headset will boast extra-sharp displays
HP is working on a new virtual reality headset, which will be a part of Microsoft's Mixed Reality program, according to a report from Road to VR. The headset, codenamed Copper, is still being developed but promises a high-resolution display and a more comfortable, ergonomic design than the company's previous models.