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As March winds down to a sunny day, I find myself wrapping up a project and feeling ready to dive into the most exciting AR and VR news from this week. Oh, and of course, I’ll sprinkle in a nod to all the buzz surrounding the "Studio Ghibli" AI craze.
Weekly Headlines
Samsung’s Upcoming XR Glasses
Word on the street, according to Korean outlet ETNews, is that Samsung plans to unveil its XR glasses by the end of the year. Whether they are AR glasses or smartglasses isn’t clear yet, but they promise comfort, along with cameras and sensors for tracking. The project, intriguingly named "Haen" (meaning coast), suggests that Samsung is indeed brewing something significant. It fuels hope that if Samsung introduces these alongside Project Moohan (an MR headset) this year, 2025 might witness Samsung’s triumphant return to the XR scene.
Additional Reading: Samsung XR glasses — via Road To VR and Android Authority.
On to Other Big Announcements
Vivo’s Vision Headset Reveal
Smartphone giant Vivo has teased its foray into mixed reality with the upcoming Vision headset. Details are scant for now, barring a design reveal that bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro, name included. While the official unveiling is slated for mid-2025, it’s encouraging to see Vivo eyeing the XR market.
Details: Vivo Vision Headset
Meta’s Predictions for Quest Users
Last week, I dissected Chris Pruett’s insightful talk at GDC. His focus was on how the Quest ecosystem is transitioning towards free-to-play, driven by a young user base. A recent piece from Meta’s blog reiterates this shift, highlighting something I missed earlier. Here’s the scoop:
There’s an emerging group of adults who are engaging with their headsets primarily for media and entertainment—not hardcore gaming. These 30-something men view their devices as an extension of their TV experience, indulging in high-quality sports and action films. Their ranks are swelling, and by 2027, they could play a major role in shaping the ecosystem. Consequently, Meta Quest might pivot towards movie-focused optimizations, possibly matching Apple’s pace in content creation.
This shift makes it challenging for developers like me. The ever-changing landscape makes it hard to invest confidently in content when preferences and support from platform holders like Meta are in flux.
Explore More: Meta’s Quest User Projections
Noteworthy Mentions
Apple’s WWDC and More
Mark June 9 on your calendar—Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is back and rumors are circulating about a visionOS 3 reveal for Vision Pro. Unfortunately, it overlaps with AWE, making it tough to keep up with both.
Further Details: Apple WWDC
Headset Updates and More
Pimax is set to start shipping its high-resolution, wide-FOV Pimax Crystal Super on April 7. Kudos to them for staying on schedule.
Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation Spring Sale is live until April 23, featuring discounts on thousands of games, including over 60 titles for PlayStation VR2.
Also, The Polys recognized excellence in WebXR at its 5th edition, highlighting innovation in this growing tech sector.
Learn More: PlayStation Spring Sale and The Polys Awards
Spotlight on Content Developments
Exciting XR Content on the Horizon
ILM and Lucasfilm are cooking up "Star Wars: Beyond Victory — A Mixed Reality Playset," exclusive to Quest and Quest 3S. Details are thin, but expect mixed reality podracing excitement!
IO Interactive has released Hitman World of Assassination DLC for PlayStation VR2 at $10, earning positive feedback so far.
On a less cheerful note, Meta has axed System Shock 2 VR, among other projects, hinting at strategic shifts in their VR game investments.
Meanwhile, the promised Robocop VR game won’t see the light as the studio lacks rights. Quite the plot twist!
More Information: Star Wars, Hitman, and System Shock 2 VR
Fresh Titles and Updates to Watch For
Developers have been busy! HARD BULLET heads to Quest 3 this spring, while Orion Drift has expanded with new gameplay. Meanwhile, Element Divided, inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, launches on Quest and PC VR on April 23. There’s much more, from Onward’s 2.0 update to the release of F1 25 with VR support on May 30.
Detailed Info: Upcoming Releases and Updates
A Quick Wrap-Up of Reviews and More
Some reviews worth noting: Pinball FX VR has been lauded for its pinball authenticity in VR. Likewise, Boxed Out combines Tetris vibes with fresh challenges, and Final Fury offers an intriguing fighting experience. Roboquest VR, still in progress, promises a solid first-person adaptation.
Check Out: Game Reviews
In Other News
Infinite Reality’s $200M acquisition of Napster aims to create a social music platform with virtual concerts. Quest’s Horizon OS might soon allow sharing of 2D windows, while Pico 4 Ultra’s update introduces cool new features for VR enthusiasts. Unfortunately, Cyan, behind Myst, faces hard times, laying off half their team. Meanwhile, Meta Reality Labs revealed an AI that turns images into mini worlds.
Discover More: Industry Updates and Insights
As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving XR landscape, consider supporting Ukraine through the Red Cross. Here’s wishing you a week filled with immersive and exciting digital experiences!
