It’s so hot here that I can almost cook pasta with the water directly coming from the faucet! Probably I should put on a VR headset and visualize myself at the North Pole to feel better…
… or I could just concentrate on these FRESH pieces of VR news of the week… (and on the TWO amazing giveaways that are in today’s newsletter…)
Top news of the week
HTC teases Vive Focus 4
A recent video published by HTC Vive, where the company talks about the work it has done in the past years, ends with a silhouette of a headset and a “coming soon” writing. It is clear that HTC is teasing an upcoming headset, probably a Vive Focus 4 (the silhouette seems more the one of a headset than of big glasses like the Vive XR Elite).
The usual Brad Lynch has published his own leak about the device:
📷 Dual Color Cameras w/ Depth Sensor
📺 Same Optics/Displays/Controllers as Focus 3
⏹️ Same XR2 Gen 1 as XR Elite (8GB to 12GB RAM)
🔌 USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
👁️ Built-In Eye Tracking
🥽 Same Design as Focus 3 (Works with Focus 3 Accessories)
which sounds realistic, with the exception of the XR2 Gen 1 chipset. In my humble opinion, an XR2 Gen1 in 2024 would make absolutely no sense, especially for the enterprise market that HTC usually aims for. It seems more realistic to me the claim that Upload VR does: HTC is one of the few companies that partnered with Qualcomm to launch a headset based on the powerful XR2+ Gen 2, the same chipset as the upcoming Samsung+Google headset. This is a chipset that also Sony is using for its enterprise VR device, so it fits more with the mission of HTC.
If the rest of the leak by Brad is correct, it seems we are looking at a good refresh of the Focus 3, with more features (e.g. eye tracking) and also a very strong use for PCVR thanks to its USB-C DisplayPort Alt mode. Given HTC’s track history, I expect a quite high price, probably around $1000.
Of course, all of this is the result of speculations, let’s see what will actually be announced. For now, the good news is that HTC is still in business: the more players we have, the better.
More info (HTC teases a new headset)
More info (Brad Lynch’s speculations)
More info (Upload VR forecasting the use of the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2)
Other relevant news
We have the first picture of the Quest 3s
The user that goes under the nickname of VR Panda has published a leaked picture of the Quest 3s. VR Panda lives in China and is not new to this kind of leaks. The device in the picture is the same as the renders we have seen leaked in the past few weeks. The front of it has a shape that also reminds the one of the Oculus Go. This is a confirmation of the truth contained in the leaks we all enjoyed in the last times.
I can’t wait for the launch in September: with its low price, Quest 3s can help in democratizing mixed reality.
Meta introduces AI assistant on Quest 3
While we are all waiting for Apple Intelligence to be deployed to the Vision Pro, Meta is going to release soon an AI assistant on Quest 3 in the US and Canada. The AI assistant can see what you are seeing and answer some specific contextual questions of yours. So you can for instance look at some pants and ask if they are good to be worn in Summer. In the future, AI will also be able to see your virtual elements, so it can answer queries about the mixed reality you have in front of you.
I’m personally glad that Meta is adding a new feature to the Quest 3. But at the same time, I’m not excited. I’ve described the reasons why in a recent LinkedIn post:
Meta Quest is getting integrated with Meta AI so that the headset can see what you are seeing and answer your queries about it. I personally think this is quite “meh” for a few reasons:
1. We want camera access for us developers and we have been denied for privacy reasons. But now it seems fine if Meta AI can have access to what the cameras see in my house
2. It will be available only in the US and Canada because Meta is retaliating against the EU for its regulations on AI (and privacy)
3. It is mostly useless because Quest 3 is not a headset you have always on. AI integration is amazing on Meta Ray-Ban glasses because they are potentially sunglasses you wear for many hours a day, and especially that you wear outdoors. Quest 3 is a headset you only wear at home and only when you want to play VR/MR… if I want a suggestion on how to dress up today, I don’t put a Quest on my head, I just use my phone to ask AI
The standard chat AI (no vision) you can contact on Quest is a bit more interesting, but still very limited in use. In fact, the use cases Meta advertises are quite lame: “You might be playing Assassin’s Creed® Nexus VR, parkouring across rooftops when your curiosity is piqued. Why not ask Meta AI whether or not there were actual assassins in colonial Boston? The answer may surprise you…”
Meta, it may surprise you that no one is going to do that…
PS Give us devs camera access!
I really think that this kind of feature is more relevant on smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta than on indoor MR headsets. Probably Meta just released it now to beat Apple on the time.
News worth a mention
Meta is preparing a new avatar overhaul
The usual Luna spotted that two Meta employees have the profile pictures with Meta avatars that have a totally different style from now. This style is a bit less cartoonish than the current one and may be announced at the upcoming Meta Connect. Meta is gradually improving the realism of its avatars, which originally were very simple and cartoonish: the end goal is arriving at the realistic look of the Codec Avatars.
The PSVR 2 Adapter app is now listed on Steam
Sony Interactive Entertainment is preparing for the launch of the PSVR 2 adapter for PC, which is going to happen on August, 7th. The companion app for PC is now listed on Steam: the Steam page includes screenshots of the setup process, showing how you pair the controllers, update the firmware, and prepare to set up your playspace boundary.
PSVR 2 gets a good discount
Ahead of the launch of the PSVR 2 adapter for PC, Sony is offering a valuable discount on PSVR 2 headsets in many worldwide regions. The price at which is offered is £350/$350, which is a 37% discount from the MSRP. The discount is for a limited time, so if you are interested, you should hurry up and buy a headset. I think the timing is right to convince some PCVR enthusiasts to buy the headset. This maneuver is at the same time useful to let Sony see if reducing the price of the headset, can re-ignite the PSVR 2 ecosystem, which is not having the best time of its life.
More info (PSVR 2 discounted in UK)
More info (PSVR 2 discounted in US)
The lineup for Venice Immersive has been announced
The lineup of the selected artworks for Venice Immersive, the virtual reality branch of the Venice Film Festival, has been announced. Venice Immersive will present 63 projects from 25 countries: 26 projects will be in Competition and 30 out of Competition. The event will take place from August 27th to September 7th with the support of VRChat. Many people told me that Venice Immersive is the place to be for VR storytelling, so if you are in the field, consider making this trip to Italy!
A free book about VR
Steven Lavalle, an engineer who worked at the first Oculus DKs together with Palmer Luckey’s gang, has written a free book about Virtual Reality. The book “covers the fundamentals of virtual reality systems, including geometric modeling, transformations, graphical rendering, optics, the human vision, auditory, and vestibular systems, tracking systems, interface design, human factors, developer recommendations, and technological issues”. If you are new to the field or you want a refresher on some of the basics, have a read and enjoy free knowledge!
(Thanks Ivan Aguilar for the tip)
Some major news about content
- Vertigo Games has revealed some new details and shared new screenshots about the upcoming game Metro Awakening
- A new Alien: Rogue Incursion gameplay trailer confirmed the VR horror title’s upcoming protagonist: Zula Hendricks, a former Colonial Marine turned Xenomorph hunter
- Into The Radius 2 has been released in Early Access on Steam. The game is still unripe, but even the limited content shows its potential. It has such a great community that it has immediately jumped to the top sellers’ list on Steam (not the VR top sellers’ list, but the general one!)
More info (Metro Awakening)
More info (Alien: Rogue Incursion)
More info (Into The Radius 2 — Release)
More info (Into The Radius 2 — Top seller game)
Some news about content
- Disembodied is an innovative platformer game for Quest where you move a detached copy of your hands
- Atlas V showed off a new trailer featuring some of the story behind Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom
- Arken Age, an upcoming single-player sci-fi shooter, is “coming soon”. It should feature a 10–15 hour campaign for PSVR 2 & PC VR
- Chernobyl Again is a VR time-traveling adventure where you must save the nuclear power plant. It should come for all the major VR platforms
- Astro Hunters VR is a new PvPvE VR extraction shooter reaching Steam on August 8th. Other platforms are slated for Q3 2024
- Real Racer XR App lets you drive a real radio-controlled (RC) racing car in first person from your Quest
- FormulaX is a legally distinct Formula 1-themed racing game in early access, and it’s available now on Quest App Lab
- The Mighty 8th VR looks like a flight sim with great graphics from its devlog videos
- Road To VR published its “XR News Bits” article with some minor news about XR
- Upload VR published its “ICYMI” article with some minor news about XR
More info (Disembodied)
More info (Mobile Suit Gundam)
More info (Arken Age)
More info (Chernobyl Again)
More info (Astro Hunters)
More info (Real Racer XR)
More info (FormulaX)
More info (The Mighty 8th VR)
More info (XR News Bits)
More info (ICYMI)
Some reviews about content
- Attack On Titan VR: Unbreakable has a nice grappling mechanic, but the game is repetitive and the graphics are very rough
- Death Game Hotel is an intriguing VR horror title where you can bet your body parts. It is very fun in multiplayer also thanks to its cheating mechanic, but sometimes falls short, especially in single-player
- Thrasher is a psychedelic rhythm puzzle game that features a unique visual style and a superb soundtrack. It has some technical hiccups, though
- Solara One offers a breathtaking journey through both familiar and unknown realms of our Universe. It features wonderful graphics and it is very soothing
- Brazen Blaze is a fun action game that totally nails the fundamentals of a PvP brawler: it is easy to learn and hard to master. It also features nice graphics. But it needs more content and has a bit strange monetization strategy.
More info (Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable)
More info (Death Game Hotel)
More info (Thrasher)
More info (Solara One)
More info (Brazen Blaze)
Other news
Meta Horizon mobile app now has a new logo
Mixed Reality occlusion has been improved on Quest with SDK v67
Upload VR takes us on a journey inside the world of photography inside virtual reality environments
The Geneva International Film Festival has started a call for entries
STYLY opensourced a plugin to access the main camera on Unity from (Enterprise) Apple Vision Pro or Pico 4 Enterprise
News from partners (and friends)
Stabby giveaway!
Stabby is a newly released indie VR game where you have to run, jump, slash, and stab. It has a nice noir low-poly style and looks very dynamic and fun from the trailer. Its final credit scene where you have to stab the credits is also genius.
I suggest checking out Stabby on the Meta Quest Store. But if you are fast enough, you can also grab one of these three keys to get it for free! First come, first served, as usual…
9CA3E-JCJHP-PEMGW-NYWYE-G7MJP
6JY4H-994G3-TAAJR-EQ74X-W3MAA
WWX7T-EEHE9-ENJGJ-MJNMF-CPQXR
Learn more (Stabby on Upload VR)
Learn more (Stabby on Meta Quest Store)
Tiny Archers giveaway
This week we don’t have one, but two giveaways! The second one is about Tiny Archers, an immersive VR tower defense archery game where you have to defend your kingdom against waves of attacks from cunning goblins and ruthless orcs. And you know what? The game is also compatible with a real bow peripheral: the Wonder Fitter Artemis Smart Arrow!
I have one key for this game:
PK3TR-CG47N-7HTQM-4K3KW-PFJR9
If you didn’t get this key, consider buying the game to support the developers! Indie VR studios need your love.
Learn more (Tiny Archers on Meta Quest Store)
Sponsored Area
Advertise your product on The Ghost Howls
If you have an XR product and you want to showcase it in front of the VR community, what’s the best place to do that if not The Ghost Howls? Please reach out to me, and let’s talk about potential collaborations!
Visit Website
Some XR fun
Bob Cooney vs Linkedin’s AI-generated questions about VR
Funny link
Donate for good
Like last week, also this week in this final paragraph I won’t ask you to donate to my blog, but to the poor people who are facing the consequences of the war. Please donate to the Red Cross to handle the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine. I will leave you the link to do that below.
Let me take a moment before to thank anyway all my Patreon donors for the support they give to me:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- Eduardo Siman
- Jonn Fredericks
- Jean-Marc Duyckaerts
- Reynaldo T Zabala
- Richard Penny
- Terry xR. Schussler
- Ilias Kapouranis
- Paolo Leoncini
- Immersive.international
- Nikk Mitchell and the great FXG team
- Jake Rubin
- Alexis Huille
- Raghu Bathina
- Chris Koomen
- Cognitive3D
- Wisear (Yacine Achiakh)
- Masterpiece X
- Dimo Pepelyashev
- Jennifer Granger
- Jason Moore
- Steve Biggs
- Julio Cesar Bolivar
- Jan Schroeder
- Kai Curtis
- Francesco Strada
- Sikaar Keita
- Ramin Assadollahi
- Juan Sotelo
- Andrew Sheldon
- Chris Madsen
- Horacio Torrendell
- Andrew Deutsch
- Fabien Benetou
- Tatiana Kartashova
- Marco “BeyondTheCastle” Arena
- Eloi Gerard
- Adam Boyd
- Jeremy Dalton
- Joel Ward
- Alex P
- Lynn Eades
- Donald P
- Casie Lane
- Catherine Henry
- Qcreator
- Ristband (Anne McKinnon & Roman Rappak)
- Stephen Robnett
- KaihatsuJai
- Christopher Boyd
- Carol Dalrymple
- Sb
- Pieter Siekerman
- Enrico Poli
- Vooiage Technologies
- Caroline
- Liam James O’Malley
- Hillary Charnas
- Wil Stevens
- Francesco Salizzoni
- Alan Smithson
- Steve R
- Brentwahn
- Matt Cool
- Simplex
- Gregory F Gorsuch
- Paul Shay
- Matias Nassi
And now here you are the link to donate:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by HTC Vive)