This week’s XR news highlights significant developments in VR and AR hardware, with the upcoming launch of the Pico 4 Ultra in China and new leaks revealing the design of Meta’s Quest 3S. ByteDance and Pico will introduce the Pico 4 Ultra next week, although a global release date is still unknown. Meanwhile, a leaked image purportedly shows Meta’s Quest 3S final design, featuring front and sidetracking cameras and an action button.
Sony’s PSVR 2 adapter for PC has received criticism due to poor performance and a cumbersome setup. Users reported significant issues with too many cables and performance challenges, making the adapter impractical for some.
Additionally, Meta has introduced an HDMI Link for its Quest headsets, allowing connection to consoles, laptops, and smartphones, enabling users to play on a virtual screen, though the feature is limited to the App Lab and requires additional hardware.
In the business side of XR, Canadian VR studio Archiact, known for Doom 3 VR, has shut down after 11 years and over 35 games. Their closure comes as the studio struggled to maintain its position in the competitive XR market, despite its notable VR releases, including Journey to Foundation. This marks another challenge in the evolving VR industry as studios face tough market conditions.
The VR gaming scene has seen several new announcements, including a delay in the highly anticipated GTA: San Andreas VR remake, which Meta has put on hold. Meta intends to focus on other projects but remains open to future collaborations with Rockstar. Additionally, The Burst, a VR action game, has received mixed reviews, while the rhythm shooter Metal: Hellsinger VR has been set for a fall release across all platforms.
Two major VR blockbusters are scheduled for release in late 2024. Alien: Rogue Incursion, an action-horror game, will be released on December 19 for Meta Quest, PC-VR, and PSVR 2, while the action RPG Behemoth, from the creators of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, is set for a November 14 release on multiple VR platforms. The lineup showcases exciting developments in immersive gaming, with games designed to push the boundaries of VR experiences.