From now to March 3rd, 2018, the PlayStation VR headset will be on sale for $100 off. This includes both the headset alone (which costs $300), as well as various bundles including certain VR games. Here’s a quick rundown on the best bundles available, as well as what to expect after the sale is over. Why is this happening? Short answer: nobody knows. Longer answer: it’s possible that Sony is gearing up for a new PSVR headset launch, or potentially their new motion controllers. While PS Move controllers provide an…acceptable VR experience, their inadequacy when compared to solutions made for VR, like the Oculus Touch controllers, has
Sony patents next-gen VR motion controllers
As reported by VRFocus, Sony has released two new patents that may indicate next-generation motion controllers. The first of these patents show off a controller with an analog stick (as opposed to a touchpad common on other VR controllers or the buttons on the PS Move wands), and a number of face-mounted buttons. The second offers finger placement tracking and refers to the controller being tracked by a head-mounted display, which could imply a new revision of the PlayStation VR headset for use with these controllers. For those who aren’t familiar with the current PSVR setup, here’s a little background information. None of the hardware
CES: YI Technology and Google introduce VR camera
Imaging technology firm YI Technology today announced details of its YI Horizon VR180 Camera at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. The camera, created in collaboration with Google’s Virtual Reality team, is billed as an easy-to-use, stereoscopic 3D camera. The camera features seamless integration with YouTube and Google Photos, and is compatible with Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, PlayStation VR and other certified viewers. Notably, content created by the camera can also be viewed easily in 2D. “We truly believe that it should be easy for everyone to create and share virtual reality experiences,” said Sean Da, CEO of YI Technology. The camera supports 3D video at
CES: NextVR announces realism-boosting upgrades
NextVR, a leading provider of systems for broadcasting live sports and music events in virtual reality, yesterday previewed several upgrades to its technology platform. The announcement was made in conjunction with the opening of CES 2018 in Las Vegas. In what was billed as a “sneak peek,” NextVR unveiled three major initiatives: introducing Six Degrees of Freedom (6DoF) technology; improving fidelity of transmitted content; and adding augmented reality to their platform. NextVR is currently compatible with the Samsung Gear VR headset or Google Daydream View combined with an appropriate smartphone, PlayStation VR, or Windows Mixed Reality system. “VR is the most demanding visual medium ever
Sony announces new VR music campaign featuring Khalid
Sony last week announced that it will be showcasing its technologies as part of a brand campaign centered on singer-songwriter, Khalid. Named “Lost in Music,” the campaign will debut with a live event at the LA Hangar in January. Spatial audio technology will play a role in creating immersive experiences “which can create space where sounds are virtually moving around.” They have named these two experiences “Odyssey” and “Dreamscape.” A follow-on event will occur in New York in February, and at SXSW in March. A new VR music video will also be unveiled at SXSW. Although the company is short on details of what it
Sony announces Skyrim VR hardware bundle
Those looking for a hotly-anticipated VR experience and a complete VR hardware bundle may be in luck on or after November 17th: according to Sony, not only will that date mark the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, but the title will also be made available with a hardware bundle. The PlayStation VR Skyrim VR Bundle will include the PS VR system, a PlayStation Camera, two PlayStation Move controllers, and a PS VR Demo Disc containing samples of 13 PS VR titles. US pricing is $449.99, while Canadians will pay $579.99 CAD. Incremental upgrades will also be rolled out with this hardware release.
Bethesda’s VR World: DOOM VFR, Fallout 4 VR and Skyrim PSVR
Bethesda is one of rare AAA-publishers that announced its full support for the VR technology, and invested heavily in creating VR-versions of its popular franchises. At the 2017 edition of E3 conference, Bethesda announced several titles which are coming for Steam VR / HTC Vive (visible from the moment the VR trailer starts). Given the legal situation between Bethesda and Oculus, we were not surprised to see icy relations and no mention of supporting the Oculus Rift VR headset. While the game development teams are working behind the scenes on new IP which wasn’t ready to be shown, the B-teams are working on re-working the
Playstation Timed Exclusive Batman Arkham VR Comes to Oculus Rift and HTC Vive
There are not many areas that DC Comics’ Batman character has not conquered in his storied life. From comics to movies to games and television shows, Batman is one of the few DC Comics properties that is almost guaranteed to be a success. Now Batman is taking over virtual reality with Batman Arkham VR on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Putting on the cape and cowl to bust heads has never been so immersive. What is interesting about this new game is the possibilities that it will give fans. For the first-time fans will be able to really “feel” like they are Batman. The level
Top Five Industries That Offer Best VR Experiences
When growing up watching Star Trek: Next Generation they introduced us to the world of the Holodeck, a room where the show could take a person anywhere they wanted to go, and do whatever they wanted. This of course is the dream of mixed realities which are starting to gain traction, with the first one being the Virtual Reality. While we’ve had attempts on believable VR for years, the technology has been in its infancy and not really convincing. Things are changing now, and believable worlds are becoming virtually real. With powerful devices like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, as well as more mainstream
Microsoft Windows VR Headset Devices Coming in April 2017
Microsoft product lineup surprised everyone today, but the biggest surprise was planned for VR fans. The company revealed a range of Windows VR headsets alongside its upcoming Windows 10 update known as “Redstone”. This update will come to market as the Windows 10 Creator’s Edition, scheduled for April 2017. This new hardware platform will be manufactured respective partners: Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and HP. Not only are these devices cheaper than the Oculus Rift and Vive, but Microsoft says they’re better too. “These headsets will be the first and only to ship with inside-out, six degrees of freedom sensors,” said Terry Myerson, Executive VP of the Windows
Is PlayStation VR Launch the Key to Mainstream Adoption of VR?
October is gearing as the key month for the future of VR. The number of announcements on every single day is becoming to ramp up – with the key announcements coming soon. In the space of just two weeks, locomotives driving the VR momentum will reveal their trump cards. Google has a press event on October 4 – revealing Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones as well as the Daydream VR mobile platform, Oculus Connect 3 developer conference opens tomorrow – October 5-7 and Sony’s PlayStation VR will hit the market on October 13. Technical details aside, the announced PlayStation VR headset’s price of $399 price tag makes it one of the
How is VR Changing the Face of Alternative Online Entertainment?
While Virtual Reality is an exciting new technology, it didn’t “BOOM” quite as it was expected to, mostly due to lack of innovative content which is expected in the fourth quarter of this year, as well as into the 2017 – look for Hollywood franchise tie-ins as VR experience centers roll out, such as the collaboration between Acer, IMAX and Starbreeze. As a technology, VR is certainly a revolutionary innovation, but it probably won’t become as mass-adopted as smartphones, for example. VR is here, and it has already started its quest to revolutionize entertainment as we know it. And it will have its effects on all
Is Everest VR the Most Immersive VR Experience?
In just a few weeks, the world of Virtual Reality Experiences (VRX) is going to get super immersive add-on. The first fully featured, 1.5 to 2 hour experience is coming to HTC Vive through Steam, Valve’s online store and undoubtedly world’s #1 e-tailer for games. Everest VR is being touted as one of key experiences which should drive the adoption of VR into mainstream. Together with The Climb for Oculus Rift, it probably represents the path forward for VRX. If we are to describe VRX in short, it would be a “cinematic or animated experience you can play”, but it is not a conventional game
Sony CEO Confirms High-End PlayStation Console for VR
Ever since we revealed the specifications of new PlayStation Neo console, rumors were about when SONY will pull the trigger and introduce the console. Our sources told us that the time of introduction is Tokyo Game Show – scheduled for September 15-17, 2016. As such, we’re afraid that the next week’s E3 will pass with perhaps just a teaser for the new console – or will be the biggest (silent) elephant in the room. In an interview with Financial Times, Andrew House, President and Global Chief Executive Offices at Sony Interactive Entertainment said that the high-end PlayStation 4 “Is intended to sit alongside and complement the standard PS4,
AMD Confirms Sony PlayStation Neo Based on 14nm CPU and Polaris?
During AMD’s 2016 Investor Day, the company disclosed its growth strategy. Many of the focal points are in motion already, or even public. For example, AMD sealed the deal with THATIC, Chinese government owned investment fund – which will see their x86 processors enter Chinese enterprise and government sectors in a big way. Second part of the strategy was to finally become a fabless semiconductor, with all the risks and rewards involved with that move. The company spun off its packaging facility, making a total cash intake in excess of $664 million – plus all the unannounced grants that the company is bidding for. Still, perhaps one of the biggest future announcement
PlayStation VR: Launching In October for $399
The annual Game Developers Conference is in full swing and we’re part of it. Today, Sony announced that PlayStation VR is launching in October. We’ve been eagerly expecting the first VR solutions for the console world, and this Japanese company is certainly making a big splash with their solution. Combine the wide array of gaming titles with excellent VR solutions and you’ve got a great winter coming up. As we said earlier, PlayStation VR headset will launch in October this year and it will come with a suggested retail price of USD $399 / CAD $549. This is one of the most affordable VR kits out there, an almost