Christmas is just around the corner, and before we ring in the new year, I have a little festive surprise for you. Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a special holiday message, but today, consider this my early gift. I’m thrilled to announce not one but two exciting giveaways! You have the chance to grab keys for two awesome XR games. Stick around for the details on how to participate!
Top News of the Week
It’s been a busy week, and one of the highlights is Meta’s reflections on its successful 2024, along with preparations for future competition. Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, shared insights in a blog post, joined by input from Mark Rabkin, VP of MR/VR, and Janko Roettgers’ Lowpass newsletter. While a lot of it is familiar territory—mention of the Quest 3S and Meta’s innovative strides—there are some golden nuggets worth noting.
The Quest 3S is performing exceptionally well, with Boz noting strong sales during Black Friday and expected holiday activations. It’ll be intriguing to compare its success to the Quest 2 post-holiday.
Interestingly, a significant number of Quest 3S buyers are new to VR, indicating the headset’s affordability is bringing fresh faces into the XR realm. Meta acknowledges the growing number of younger users altering the store’s economic landscape, with multiplayer and free-to-play games gaining traction, exemplified by hits like Gorilla Tag.
Meta is doubling down on successful genres, investing in a range of apps that cater to social gaming, entertainment, and more. If you’re a developer eyeing Meta for potential funding, these are the areas to consider.
Popular apps on the Quest 3S include Gorilla Tag, Youtube VR, and Horizon Worlds, while the well-received Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are benefiting from fresh AI integrations. Meta’s ambitions with AI assistants could lead to continually helpful smart glasses, but this raises some privacy concerns.
With Apple and Google entering the XR market, Meta faces serious competition, a challenge spelled out by Bosworth. This rivalry will ultimately benefit users and developers, pushing innovation forward.
Other Relevant News
Spatial Intelligence is becoming a buzzword as AI and XR continue to blend. Two intriguing developments stand out: Niantic’s work on Large Geospatial Models, using AI to fill gaps in geospatial data, and New York University’s research on improving spatial understanding in AI. These innovations could significantly shape XR’s future.
Noteworthy Mentions
Get ready for some great gear! Blackmagic Design is taking pre-orders for its 8K camera, tailored for Apple’s Immersive Video, at a hefty $30,000, aimed primarily at professional studios. Meanwhile, Meta, with its new audio-to-expression feature, has enhanced how avatars can mimic facial expressions using just voice audio.
A solution may be in sight for the Quest’s stuttering issue on Steam VR, thanks to a discovery related to the Motion Smoothing feature. Also noteworthy, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has released a digital point cloud of the city for free, useful for everything from games to AI training.
Enjoy the Meta Winter Sale
Treat yourself with the Quest Holiday Sale! Enjoy big discounts on thrilling VR titles like Demeo, Asgard’s Wrath 2, and Assassin’s Creed VR.
Best Games of 2024
Upload VR has revealed its top picks for 2024. Curious about the Best VR Game? Let’s just say it’s bat-tastic!
Alien Rogue Incursion’s Underwhelming Launch
The highly anticipated Alien Rogue Incursion has launched, but it didn’t quite hit the mark, with Batman Arkham Shadow stealing the spotlight. Though generally enjoyable, many new releases haven’t been runaway hits.
Content Highlights
If you’re into SUPERHOT-inspired games, COLD VR is one to watch, despite a few bugs and quirks. Also, don’t miss out on the cooperative fun of Green Hell VR or the immersive world of Grimlord.
More News
Discover Genesis, an open-source generative physics engine, or the impressive revenue milestone reached by AEXLAB’s VR shooter, Vail. If you’re feeling festive, check out Tom’s Guide’s AR glasses comparisons, or catch a touching short film on an international kidney donation inspired by a VRChat friendship.
Partner and Friends Updates
The musical app PatchWorld offers a big update and discount, with new features like hand tracking and OSC protocol integration. Also, if you’re heading to CES, don’t miss the DeoVR After Dark party. Plus, enter my giveaways for Home Sports and Party Versus, two fantastic game experiences.
A Little XR Fun
I stumbled across some hilarious XR-themed content that’s sure to put a smile on your face, from monkeys longing for Gorilla Tag to quirky insights into AI’s naivety.
Donate for Good
Lastly, I want to shift focus to a cause close to my heart. Support those affected by the crisis in Ukraine with a donation to the Red Cross. Your kindness can make a significant difference. Thank you to all my Patreon supporters for their continued generosity, and here’s the link if you’d like to contribute to the Red Cross.
(Header image by Meta)
