Today marks the end of the Carnival festivities here in Italy, and the streets are buzzing with celebration. While folks are out reveling, I plan to enjoy the season’s traditional treats from the comforts of home. Not only is it Carnival that gives me a reason to celebrate, but I’m thrilled to announce that Feedspot has honored my efforts by ranking my blog third among the top 60 Virtual Reality websites. To be placed so closely behind prominent sites like Road To VR and Upload VR is truly unexpected. When I look at the list, there are a few sites mentioned that no longer exist, like Oculus, and I realize that some exceptional platforms, such as MIXED, didn’t make the cut either. Frankly, I feel a bit out of place at number three, maybe more suited to a lower rank. But right now, I’m content to bask in this accomplishment as it highlights nearly eight years of hard work as a blogger. A heartfelt thanks to all of you for your unwavering support that’s helped me achieve this milestone!
Top News of the Week
Valve Deckard Might Arrive in 2025 with a Price Tag of $1200
In VR news, an intriguing rumor has surfaced about the Valve Deckard, and this time, it’s courtesy of data miner Gabe Follower, who has a credible track record with leaks. He’s reported that the Deckard could launch in 2025 for around $1200. Additionally, Gabe hints that Valve is finalizing games or demos specifically crafted for Deckard, including possibly something from the Half-Life universe, according to Tyler McVicker of Valve News Network. The device is expected to run on SteamOS, similar to Steam Deck, and potentially play SteamDeck games on a VR big screen due to the Roy controllers’ gamepad-like features. Despite its hefty price tag, Gabe suggests Valve might be selling it at a loss, indicating it’s packed with high-end features that could delight hardcore Valve fans.
Sony Cuts the PSVR 2 Price for Good
In a welcome move, Sony has permanently reduced the cost of its PSVR 2 headset. It now retails for a tempting $400 (€450 / £400 / ¥66,980) and can be purchased alone or bundled with Horizon Call of the Mountain at the same price (you’d wonder why anyone would choose otherwise!). Although always a robust device, its original price surpassed even the PS5, hindering sales until recent discounts. With a broader game library now accessible and compatibility with PC games via adapters, the $400 pricing is spot-on. While I don’t anticipate explosive sales, I think this price cut will foster a richer PSVR 2 ecosystem.
Meta Pushes Towards Free-to-Play on Quest
Meta is emphasizing a push into free-to-play games for its younger Quest audience. Through a post on X, Meta revealed that over 70% of Quest usage time involves free-to-play experiences. Developers are embracing this shift, evidenced by Fast Travel Games making Mannequin free-to-play, and Owlchemy Labs’ Dimensional Double Shift hitting 500K downloads. However, I have a couple of observations: firstly, heavily promoting free experiences like Horizon Worlds inflates free-to-play statistics. Secondly, we haven’t seen revenue figures; time spent doesn’t equate to financial success. Could free-to-play be a viable model? Only if it proves financially sustainable.
Meta Announces Aria Gen 2 Glasses
Meta has unveiled the next-gen Aria 2 glasses, which are built for research rather than commercial use. They boast an upgraded sensor suite, including cameras, microphones, and a bespoke Meta chip for on-device processes like tracking and speech recognition – a leap forward from its predecessor’s reliance on external analysis. This tech-laden device weighs a mere 75g, supports up to 8 hours of activity, and although initially available to select partners, should become more widely available to research institutions later this year.
Meta Refreshes its Enterprise and Educational Offerings
Meta has also refined its business programs. The Meta For Education initiative now supports schools and universities by offering VR headsets that include a content catalog and device management system. Moreover, Meta’s collaboration with VictoryXR has led to over 30 digital campus creations. Verified statistics from participating schools highlight VR’s positive educational impact. Meanwhile, Meta’s business service, now rebranded as Horizon Managed Solutions, integrates better with existing management systems and offers new pricing models, crucially beneficial for educational users.
News Worth a Mention
HTC Launches “VIVERSE Worlds”
HTC introduces VIVERSE Worlds, a web-based platform for 3D and VR experiences aiming to become the "YouTube of 3D Content". It’s easily integrable into any website and provides performance-optimized streaming thanks to Vive Polygon technology.
AMD’s New Graphics Card Launches
AMD rolls out the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT cards, competing against NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 series. These cards, priced competitively, introduce AMD’s AI accelerators and support advanced video features, marking their official release on March 6.
News from Partners and Friends
Cause+Christi Launches SHIP HAPPENS
In collaboration with HTC VIVERSE, Cause+Christi has launched SHIP HAPPENS, a free-to-play, WebXR escape room with a compelling futuristic narrative. If this piques your interest, it’s readily available to play online.
In Conclusion
As we navigate these ever-evolving digital worlds, substantial changes and innovations continue to shape our experiences. Whether through hardware advancements or rich content offerings, the VR landscape remains ever dynamic and full of potential. I’d like to draw your attention to donating to the Red Cross to support those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Your contribution can make a significant difference.
Lastly, my gratitude goes to the patrons who fuel my blogging journey—your support is invaluable. Here’s wishing everyone an exciting week ahead in the virtual realm.
