Who needs an external battery when you have good old-fashioned emotions?

Scientists based out of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have begun working on augmented reality (AR) contact lenses capable of displaying virtual information in the real world.

But here’s the really interesting part: according to an official release from the university, these high-tech contacts are powered by human tears.

The team has begun development of a flexible battery roughly as thin as the human cornea. This ultra-slim battery is capable of storing electricity when in contact with a saline source, which can be found in tears. According to researchers, this solution can extend battery life up to four hours for every 12-hour cycle. The contacts can also be charged using an external battery.

The battery itself is made of biocompatible materials. No wires or “toxic material” were used in the development, promising a more comfortable experience compared to some other smart contacts.

“The most common battery charging system for smart contact lenses requires metal electrodes in the lens, which are harmful if they are exposed to the naked human eye,” said Co-first author Dr. Yun Jeonghun, a research fellow from NTU’s EEE, in the official release.

“Meanwhile, another mode of powering lenses, induction charging, requires a coil to be in the lens to transmit power, much like wireless charging pad for a smartphone. Our tear-based battery eliminates the two potential concerns that these two methods pose, while also freeing up space for further innovation in the development smart contact lenses.”

According to the university, the team has already filed a patent via NTUitive and intends to commercialize the smart contacts at some point in the future.

For more information check out the official release from the university. You can also read the research paper “A tear-based battery charged by biofuel for smart contact lenses” here.

Feature Image Credit: NTU Singapore

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Return to a life of crime in this sizable DLC update.

Developer 3R Games this week announced a new update for its popular VR game, Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street, which introduces a brand new neighborhood over twice the size of Greenview Street.

Available now on Meta Quest headsets, the Richie R. Street DLC takes place directly after the events of the original game. However, instead of robbing your way through the cozy suburb that is Greenview Street, you’ll be taking your skills to a lavish neighborhood filled with luxurious items and premium cars to steal.

That said, it won’t be easy. These wealthy homes feature intense security measures that you’ll need to bypass without getting caught. This includes everything from advanced security systems to professional bodyguards. Speaking of NPCs, this latest update introduces new character artificial intelligence (AI), facial animations, and voice-overs, adding a new level of realism to the game.

Here are a few other noticeable additions:

• 12+ missions with Vinny as your guide.
• Hijack and disassemble luxury cars.
• Mini-games like car key cloning & deactivating house alarms.
• More intelligent tenants and police officers.
• Quest 2 exclusive story quests.
• The first side jobs pack.

Here’s what your handler, Vinny, has to say: “Greenview is fine, but it is getting too hot for us. It’s time to move on, you know…visit some new neighborhood. A place where the grass is greener, houses are bigger, wallets fatter and their cars…muah! Heck, everything is gonna be just premium there. This will be one hell of a ride! And by the end of it we will be filthy rich… That’s right, you are going to Richie R. Street!”

The Richie R. Street DLC is available now on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro headsets for $14.99. For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: 3R Games

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Experience BATL Axe Throwing on Meta Quest headsets.

ArcadeXR today announced its 2.0 update for Arcade Legends which introduces axe throwing to the game for the very first time.

For those unfamiliar, Arcade Legends is a unique VR experience that allows you to build your own personal arcade. Here you can play 10 official arcade games alongside three friends while earning tickets you can spend on virtual goodies at the prize store. You can also unlock secret areas and visit other players’ arcades.

Since its launch, ArcadeXR has released several additional activities to the game, such as bowling and skee-ball. Update 2.0 adds a new neighborhood environment to explore as well as yet another activity: axe throwing. The developer has teamed up with leading axe-throwing destination BATL Axe Throwing to bring realistic axe-throwing to Meta Quest headsets.

This new venue features a variety of axe-throwing game modes made popular by BATL Axe Throwing, including standard BATL, Classic Target, Tic-Tac-Toe, Bullseye Blitz, and Ultra Batl. As you play you can unlock up to 10 unique axe skins from the prize store. To find the venue, simply step outside and look for the big axe-throwing sign.

I had the chance to throw a few axes earlier today and I have to say, BATL Axe Throwing works surprisingly well in VR. The experience wasn’t quite as satisfying as the real thing, obviously. That said, the variety of game modes provided managed to keep me entertained for a while. My personal favorite is Bullseye Blitz.

I also enjoyed how targets were burnt onto the wooden boards before each turn. It’s a small, but noticeable addition that adds to the overall atmosphere.

Arcade Legends is available now on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro headsets for $24.99. According to ArcadeXR, a PC VR version is on the way. For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: ArcadeXR

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Better grab some glowsticks, you’re going to need them.

The Geneva International Film Festival returns later this year and it’s bringing with it a one-of-a-kind virtual experience that takes you back in time to the very first rave parties where you can dance to the sounds of old-school acid house music.

Produced by the immersive documentary production East City Films in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) and Coventry City of Culture, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats by Darren Emerson is an interactive art installation that transports you back to the year 1989, the proverbial birth of the rave scene in the United Kindom.

The installation is composed of a “rave corridor,” an exhibition, and the aforementioned virtual rave experience.

“From poster-strewn bedrooms and pirate radio stations to a police headquarters and on to warehouses reverberating to the beat of Acid House music, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats takes you back to the thrills of the first rave parties thanks to a resounding immersive experience,” states an official release.

“This interactive documentary pays tribute to the cultural impact of the rave scene on a whole generation and its seminal influence on today’s electronic cultures.”

The 29th Geneva International Film Festival will take place from November 3rd to November 12th. In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is presented in partnership with the Electron Festival and is dedicated to Electronic Cultures in Geneva.

For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Darren Emerson

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Join your fellow Valorant fans for this one-of-a-kind virtual broadcast.

Virtex Stadium, an online virtual event platform available for PC VR headsets, will be broadcasting the Valorant LA Champions finals live in VR this week, offering spectators the chance to immerse themselves in the virtual action like never before.

Originally announced back in 2021, Virtex Stadium is a multifaceted event space designed for e-sports competitions. Live gameplay appears at the center of the field in immersive 3D, just like your standard basketball court or football stadium. You can join the other spectators in the stands or watch the game as a free-floating hologram from the lobby.

The company has partnered with numerous video games in the past, from big-name titles like Counter-Strike: 2 to VR darlings like Echo Arena. This week the virtual stadium will serve as home to another competitive video game, Valorant.

Virtex Stadium will be hosting a live watch party for the 2023 Valorant LA Champions finals from August 24th to the 26th. Here you can meet up with other Valorant fans and root for your favorite professional teams live in VR. The action kicks off at 12pm PT/9pm CEST.

“Having been a part of Esports live events as competitors, organizers, and fans, we cherish the unique atmosphere that comes with a live show. Our team chooses the stadium over the stream every time,” said Tim Mcguinness, CEO and founder of Virtex in an official release. 

“We are incredibly excited about the potential of virtual events as this new format allows us to put users so close, or sometimes literally into, the experiences, games, and events they know and love. When it comes to live events we’re not limited by the real world anymore and with Virtex Stadium we want to show that.”

Virtex Stadium is available for free on PC VR headsets via Steam. The game is still in beta, therefore you’ll need to join the ongoing playtest in order to participate. Don’t worry, there’s no additional charge.

For more information visit virtexstadium.com.

Feature Image Credit: Virtex Entertainment

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Explore a sprawling mansion inhabited by realistic ghosts in this immersive reimagining.

Developer Vertigo Games, the team behind popular VR titles such as Arizona Sunshine and After the Fall, has just announced the release date for its latest game, The 7th Guest VR. Revealed during the Gamescom 2023 Opening Night Live Pre-Show, this spooky-looking experience is directly inspired by the hit ’90s point-and-click title of the same name.

The game is set in a grandiose mansion owned by a wealthy toymaker named Henry Stauf. This mysterious hermit has invited six guests to his sprawling estate, which holds a dark and confusing power. According to the official game page, we can expect a fair amount of puzzle-solving as we explore the decrepit mansion and unlock new rooms in search of answers.

In addition to an official release date, Vertigo Games also released a new trailer featuring never-before-seen in-game footage. The video also offers a look at some of the ghosts we’ll be interacting with, all of whom were captured using volumetric video technology to deliver lifelike results.

“With The 7th Guest VR, we aim to push the boundaries of what is possible in virtual reality, just like the original game did with the CD-rom,” said Paul van der Meer, game director of The 7th Guest VR. “The story trailer shows the real achievements of volumetric capture at this level, giving players a taste of the intense atmosphere as they observe the characters exploring the strange happenings of the mansion, and the sinister reasons they’ve been brought there.”

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the 1993 PC game or just a self-proclaimed horror connoisseur, you’ll probably want to keep your eye out for The 7th Guest VR when it launches on October 19th for Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR headsets via Steam.

For more information visit the7thguest-vr.com.

Feature Image Credit: Vertigo Games

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An iOS version is also on the way according to the team.

After long last, VRChat, the immensely popular VR social platform, is finally available in alpha on Android devices, allowing you to mix and mingle with other players online via a smartphone or tablet. That said, not everyone will have access to the app at launch.

At the moment, VRChat is opening up access exclusively to subscribers of VRChat Plus, a paid subscription service that unlocks several unique perks, such as personalized nameplate icons and 300 favorite avatar slots. According to the official release, VRChat Mobile will be available to all users once it transitions out of alpha at a later date.

In terms of content, you should be to view all Meta Quest content on VRChat Mobile Alpha. That said, interactions with some content might be a “little wonky.” The team is currently on the hunt for any issues, so don’t be afraid to reach out if you discover a bug.

The company states that “most mid-range phones should be fine,” though you should be running at least Android 10 and have a minimum of 6GB of RAM. Other than that, you should be fine. Of course, not every device has been tested by the team, so be prepared for mixed results depending on your hardware.

“In our tests, the Android client performs well across a variety of devices,” said the company in an official release. “We’d expect it to run at least as well as the Quest version – maybe even better, in a few cases.”

“There is one caveat, though: on a phone, users could be multitasking between a bunch of different apps. If you’re encountering frame drops, we’d encourage you to try closing apps running in the background to see if it improves performance.”

VRChat Mobile Alpha is available now on Android devices for VRChat Plus subscribers with support for gamepads and portrait mode. Similar to Quest and PC players, those on mobile will feature a different tag over their heads. According to the company, an iOS version is currently in the works, but no word yet on an official release date.

For more information check out the full announcement here. Future updates regarding the mobile app will feature the letter “m.”

Feature Image Credit: VRChat Inc.

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The more points you earn the more IRL chicken you get.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), the popular American fast food chain, has launched a VR game in Hong Kong, China that transported players to a KFC-inspired world where they could earn real-world fried chicken by completing virtual objectives.

The “Bucketverse VR” experience immersed players in a delicious-looking world inspired by modern-day Hong Kong in which they were tasked with collecting virtual fried chicken. The more digital poultry they collected, the more real-world chicken they earned. According to the company, players had the potential to bank a $60 KFC cash voucher as a gift.

“We want to invite Hong Kongers into another dimension to take a brief break from hectic city life and embrace a world of creativity and fun,” said Ms. Janet Lau, the marketing director for KFC Hong Kong. “Everyone deserves a Krispy Break, and through this campaign, we hope to show how the KFC brand is here to provide exactly that.”

“The game is designed to be fun-filled and slightly addictive – much like KFC’s delicious fried chicken,” added Amy Cheng, creative director at Edelman. “It’s great when a brand actively asks for innovative ideas outside of traditional communications, and the Bucketverse is a demonstration of this… Our partnership with KFC keeps welcoming different ideas and we hope this new form of Finger Lickin’ Goodness amplifies their brand promise to more fried chicken lovers around the city.”

The KFC “Bucketverse VR” experience was available at Hysan Place, Causeway Bay, in Hong Kong, China for a limited time. For more information about KFC’s past immersive offerings visit here.

Feature Image Credit: KFC

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The 2004 classic looks better than ever in VR.

Crytek’s first-person shooter Far Cry can now be played in VR with motion controls thanks to a third-party mod from German developer Holger Frydrych. You may remember Frydrych for his work on the popular Half-Life 2 VR Mod, which lets you experience Valve’s iconic action shooter in 6DoF (six-degrees-of-freedom) VR.

While still a work in progress, Far Cry VR v0.5 allows you to play the entire game from start to finish using your motion controllers. This includes the ability to stabilize your weapon by holding it with two hands as well as physically swing your machete. The mod also supports room-scale VR, allowing you to physically move throughout the virtual jungle for a more realistic experience.

There’s even left-hand support and a seated mode for a more casual (but still plenty violent) experience.

Far Cry VR v0.5 is available to download for free via GitHub. That said, you will need to own the original game in order to play in VR. Thankfully, you can pick up a copy from Steam and GoG for just $9.99.

For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Crytek, Holger Frydrych

The post You Can Now Play The Original Far Cry In VR With Motion Controls appeared first on VRScout.

The “playful track-building” game is scheduled to arrive later this year.

Developer Something Random this week announced Toy Trains, a new VR game coming soon to major VR platforms. Described as a “playful track-building VR game,” this nostalgia-inducing experience allows you to craft complex virtual railways and solve open-ended puzzles using your motion controllers.

Each board features a variety of open-ended challenges to overcome and multiple solutions to discover. Once you’ve “solved” a board, you’re then free to customize your space with various decorations and interact with the water or trees. According to the developer, there are no time limits, so you’re free to solve puzzles at your own relaxing pace.

“In a world where vintage toys and forgotten treasures spring to life, prepare to embark on a remarkable journey to an imaginative realm where the familiar clink of tracks and the echoes of laughter from yesteryears come together in a symphony of creativity and exploration. It’s all about imagination, logical thinking, having fun, and… trains!” states Something Random in an official release.

“Open a long forgotten, dusty suitcase in your grandpa’s attic, rediscover your old toys and even older memories. As soon as you start playing, it’s both rails and memories that start to click together. In this creative space, where all depends on you, you can feel child-like joy and fulfillment of building tracks and solving brain teasers.”

Toy Trains is scheduled to launch in Q4 2023 on Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3 (via App Lab), and PC VR via Steam followed by PlayStation VR2 and Pico headsets at a later date. Those lucky enough to be attending Gamescom 2023 can try the game out for themselves over at Hall 10.2 – Booth E040.

For more information visit somethingrandom.com/toytrains.

Feature Image Credit: Something Random

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The future of indie VR gaming looks bright.

SideQuest, the popular VR content platform specializing in indie games and apps, this week announced that it has partnered with mixed reality developer Creature to launch a $1 million creator fund catering specifically to independent VR developers.

Creators are encouraged to submit pitches for their original VR games directly to Creature via an online application beginning on August 18th. You’ll need to provide a brief pitch of your game as well as several details regarding your team. A full breakdown of the required information can be found here.

“Since we started SideQuest, we’ve often been asked why we don’t sign/launch/release games ourselves. The simple answer is: we’ve never had the expertise to do it before,” said Orla Harris, SideQuest COO, in an official release.

“Championing developers has always been our focus, but we’ve needed time to learn, grow, and build relationships with industry experts. Doug North Cook and the Creature team are those experts. And now, we have the funding to back them up. Together, we’re poised to help more indie devs get their games released while expanding what VR can offer.”

“SideQuest has a great reputation for supporting developers as they work to find an audience prior to release on one of the major platforms. Games like Gorilla Tag, Ancient Dungeon VR, We Are One, and hundreds of others have benefitted from the community SideQuest has built,” added Doug North Cook, Creature CEO.

“We know that the best VR games have yet to be discovered and that many of those games will come from unexpected places – like most of our current favorite VR games. The teams making those next great games will benefit from the collected experience, support, and funding that this collaboration will provide.”

According to the official release, Creature will be in charge of managing the fund. For more information on the SideQuest X Creature Indie VR Fund visit creature.page/developer-fund.

Feature Image Credit: SideQuest, Creature

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Immerse yourself in a variety of trippy visuals accompanied by new music from the latest EP.

Richard David James, better known by his stage name, Aphex Twin, is an award-winning musician, composer, and DJ made famous by his unique style of contemporary electronic music. This week the ground-breaking artist released a new augmented reality (AR) app that’s almost as trippy as his music.

YXBoZXh0d2lu is an interactive experience for smartphones that immerses you in “AR landscapes” featuring the music from his latest EP, Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760. All you have to do is open the app and use your smartphone’s camera to scan the physical packaging. The front cover, CD or vinyl front, and back and inner sleeves all unlock unique 3D visuals.

The app features a variety of interactive experiences based on different tracks from the EP, including a unique-sounding “festival experience” as well as a beat-matching game. By arranging the vinyl packaging into a trifold “anamorphic diorama,” you unlock access to four track-by-track AR experiences.

YXBoZXh0d2lu is available free to download on iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play respectively. The app was developed by the spatial internet studio KALKUL in collaboration with Weirdcore and Warp Records.

Feature Image Credit: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

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Find your zen with this “Meow-ditation” experience.

The popular multinational photography company Canon has published an immersive 180-degree VR video on its official YouTube channel featuring a painfully-cute assortment of loveable felines. Canon describes the video as a “guided meditation” and the “purrr-fect way to de-stress.”

The roughly seven-minute video was captured using the company’s EOS R5 C camera and Canon RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens by Andrew Marttila, aka @iamthecatphotographer, a popular cat photographer as well as a kitten rescuer for @orphankittenclub.

“As a Canon guy, I love experimenting with the latest technology,” said Marttila. “This lens makes high-quality VR accessible. It attaches to my Canon EOS R5 or R5 C like a regular lens. But the footage it captures is anything but ordinary.”

“With the dual fisheye design for the left and right eyes, it can create incredible 3D 180-degree pictures or video. And that makes it perfect for showing just how adorable these kittens are in real life. The camera captures every jump and every fall. Now these kitties are starring in their very own VR movie.”

You can watch the full 180-degree video on YouTube or in VR using a Meta Quest headset.

Those interested in crafting their own immersive content such as this one should check out Canon’s VR Content Creator Kit, which includes everything you need to get started, including an EOS R5 C camera and RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens.

Feature Image Credit: CanonUSA

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Your controller is the car.

BMW aims to educate the public about the role of mixed reality (MR) technology in regard to the future of passenger economy and entertainment. That said, this isn’t some boring classroom type of education or your average MR gaming experience using a handheld controller.

Your controller is BMW’s all-new high-performance $86,000 M4 Competition Coupé. Yes, an actual car. And get ready to rock, because you’ll have to put the pedal to the metal and speed around on an actual racetrack while wearing a mixed reality headset.

Although it might seem risque to be driving a car while wearing an immersive device, the experience isn’t designed for ordinary streets. It was created for use on the company’s M test track. The software used for the project can adapt and recreate the locations in various cities around the world.

Don’t worry, the car has a variety of safety features that are designed to help prevent an accident. This includes the use of computer vision and mapping technology. In addition, a BMW employee can also ride in the passenger seat to monitor the road and press the brake pedal whenever needed.

One person who was very excited at the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the M4 was Elias Hountondji, a driver for the Red Bull Driftbrothers team. Hountondji talked about the experience, saying, “It was an absolutely unique experience for me: driving a real, physical BMW M4 in a virtual completely different environment – and that crosswise and dynamically.”

The immersive experience that BMW created using VR allows drivers to feel the vehicle’s various features and interact with its surroundings in real-time. It’s unlike anything that’s been done before, according to Hountondji.

BMW started working on a mixed-reality project over two years ago. Initially, the project was supposed to be used on the M5 model, but it was eventually developed for the M2 in 2022. The bigwigs at BMW saw the potential of their M mixed reality experience and noted that the project could be utilized to help drivers in training courses and competitions.

As the M project developed, BMW wanted a more immersive and interactive experience for drivers. In 2022, the company reached out to various prominent gamers and video game personalities to help uncover what those experiences were and invited them to Munich to check out their M test track. 

One of them was Cailee, a well-known Twitch streamer and a prominent member of G2 Esports who was lucky enough to be one of the early testers of the M project. According to Cailee, “It’s just the most insane experience I’ve ever, ever had. I play Rocket League, I’ve sunk so many hours into it and everything, but I really cannot describe the experience that I had in Munich.”

The demo course featured various obstacles that participants had to avoid. To add more gamification to the experience, drivers were required to collect coins along the way. During the second and third laps, timed elements demanded that the drivers accelerate, which gave them a racing feel. The suspension of reality provided drivers with a more comfortable driving experience.

Sounds pretty sick, right? Well, that same experience is now available for you! BMW has decided to create a first-of-its-kind experience for its customers. If you have the need for speed in your blood, you can use this link to pre-register for a test drive slot.

Feature Image Credit: BMW

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Unlock music from the band’s new album by completing a variety of strange puzzles.

The award-winning progressive metal band TesseracT this week released an original immersive experience for VR headsets entitled War of Being. Named after the group’s 2023 album, this single-player experience immerses you in a visual conceptualization of the group’s latest full-length record.

Available now on PC VR headsets via SteamVR, War of Being has you exploring an exotic location known as “The Strangeland.” Here you’ll find an assortment of strange landscapes inhabited by an equally-strange cast of characters.

The game features six surreal environments in total, each with its own unique details. As you navigate the in-game world, you’ll be tasked with solving various puzzles. Every time you complete a challenge you’ll unlock music from the new album. You can also discover massive obsidian monuments of each of the five band members to learn a little more about each musician.

War of Being is available now for $5.99 on PC VR headsets via SteamVR. Still on the fence about purchasing? Take a look at what others have to say about the progressive metal band’s otherworldly musical experience.

“You don’t mind getting Slenderman flashbacks while unlocking a new track from the best band of all time? This game is for you. Also, you can jump. Spam it, almost feels like bunnyhopping. 10/10,” –
erNst1e

“A wonderful experience, definitely brought me to tears at points. Quite possibly the best way I’ve seen a band debut a song. Definite recommend for any TesseracT fan or anyone who enjoys good world building,” – lelemur

“I’ve never been this close to crying in a video game. Atmospheric and beautiful. Must have for any TesseracT fan and a must have for any non-TesseracT fan :3,” – Guten Morgan

For more information about TesseracT’s War of Being VR experience visit tesseractband.co.uk. The band also created an official Discord server for the game which you can join here.

Feature Image Credit: 4D Music Ltd

The post Popular Metal Band TesseracT Launches An Original VR Game appeared first on VRScout.

Take your virtual golfing to the next level with this unique VR accessory for Meta Quest and Rift.

This past June, VR developer Mighty Coconut announced that it has partnered with VR accessory provider Hello Real on an official putter accessory for its VR mini golf game Walkabout Mini Golf, available now on Meta Quest and Rift headsets.

The Walkabout Grip-to-Putter is available for a limited time and makes use of a variety of unique features designed to improve your virtual golf game. This includes an adjustable hardware trigger, a comfortable grip, a self-tensioning lanyard, and a swappable grip system. Every putter will also come with an in-game cosmetic.

Mighty Coconut was kind enough to send us a putter ahead of time so we could try it out for ourselves, and after just a short time with the product, we can say with confidence that the Walkabout Grip-to-Putter is an excellent accessory for any self-proclaimed VR golfing aficionado.

The setup was fairly easy. The Touch and Touch Pro controllers slid easily into the dedicated holder. The instructions provided offer a detailed explanation of how to secure the controller to the putter’s “fidget lock” via its lanyard as well as quickly change grips.

I then needed to calibrate the device by visiting the in-game settings in Walkabout Mini Golf. After selecting the “Custom Grip” option and hitting “Calibrate,” all I had to do was move my controller into the right position while holding the grip button.

According to Mighty Coconut, a dedicated option will be provided for the Walkabout Putter upon full release, so this process should be even easier moving forward.

At this point, I was ready to get started putting. Almost immediately, I noticed an improvement in my performance. The device features a dedicated weight designed to simulate the feeling of swinging a real putter as well as a comfortable grip so you can golf for hours on end without developing any nasty blisters.

The Walkabout Putter also features a dedicated trigger, allowing you to easily interact with the grip function on your Touch controller. Holding the grip button in Walkabout Mini Golf turns your putter transparent, allowing you to practice swings before making your final putt, so you’ll find yourself using this trigger often.

Another interesting feature I noticed while testing the device was the haptic feedback response. As I made my way through exotic courses like “Laser Lair” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” I could feel the putter make contact with the ball, just like I would if I was using my Touch controller. While this may sound like a small addition, it’s little details like these that truly immerse you in the experience.

All-in-all, the Walkabout Putter is an excellent VR accessory for those looking to take their virtual golfing to the next level. Those interested in picking one up from Mighty Coconut and Hello Real can visit helloreal.com/products/griptoputter for more information.

*DISCLAIMER: VRScout was provided with a free sample of the product from Mighty Coconut for the purpose of this coverage.*

Feature Image Credit: Mighty Coconut

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The Lighthouse Faceplate starts at $199. That said, Pimax is offering bundled discounts with other devices.

Pimax has just announced the release of the Lighthouse Faceplate, a new tracking extension accessory for its Crystal VR headset that promises to deliver a better VR experience via enhanced peripheral expansion, high-precision tracking, and numerous other features that will blow you away.

The Lighthouse Faceplate is designed specifically for the Pimax Crystal VR headset. Once attached, it will enable the headset to be compatible with Steam’s Lighthouse external base station system, tracking your movements with sub-millimeter accuracy.

You will also have the ability to customize the tracking options on the Lighthouse Faceplate. This provides you with greater freedom of movement with full-body tracking and allows for a much deeper physical engagement that can be used for scene expansion and professional applications, such as using VR for enterprise training.

No need for the replacement of your current controllers since the Lighthouse Faceplate is compatible with existing SteamVR base stations and controllers.

Here’s a list of tracking devices compatible with the Lighthouse Faceplate:

• Pimax Sword Controller
• Index Knuckles Controller
• Vive Controller
• Vive Tracker 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0
• Tundra Tracker

A few things to mention before you make your decision: the Lighthouse system doesn’t support multiple sets of base station systems to work in one space. You’ll also want to avoid placing reflective objects like mirrors in your space in order to prevent inaccurate positioning due to reflections. Finally, a single faceplate system supports up to 16 object tracking.

Here are the SteamVR base station specifications:

SteamVR Base Station 1.0

• Maximum supported base stations: 2
• Tracking Range: 3.5m x 3.5m (with two base stations)
• Maximum supported tracking devices: 16

SteamVR Base Station 2.0

• Maximum supported base stations: 4
• Tracking Range: 5m x 5m (with two base stations), 10m x 10m (with four base stations)
• Maximum supported tracking devices: 16

The launch of the Lighthouse Faceplate promises to give you a much more precise and awe-inspiring VR gaming experience with amazing tracking, and at a standalone price of $199, the Lighthouse Faceplate is a nice deal. Pimax is also offering some killer bundled discounts.

Bundled offers include the following discounts:

Bundle 1: Crystal ($1,599) + Lighthouse Faceplate ($199)

• Bundle price after $100 discount: $1,698
• Limited to 500 sets for four weeks.

Bundle 2: Crystal ($1,599) + Lighthouse Faceplate ($199) + Base Stations ($239) * 2 + Sword Controllers ($300)

• Bundle price after $279 discount: $2,297
• Limited to 100 sets for four weeks.

One thing to note is that the above prices are provided for reference; the final price is subject to actual purchase.

The Pimax Lighthouse Faceplate is for those who take their VR experiences very seriously and require high-precision tracking. The release date for the Pimax Lighthouse Faceplate is expected to be mid-August.

To learn more about Pimax, the Lighthouse Faceplate, or to enter a contest to win a free Crystal VR headset, visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Pimax

The post Pimax Lighthouse Faceplate Delivers Sub-Millimeter Tracking appeared first on VRScout.

A full reveal is scheduled for later this month.

Polyarc, the developer of the popular Moss franchise, has announced its latest VR game for Meta Quest headsets, Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss.

Polyarc describes the game as a competitive multiplayer VR experience. Based on the images provided, Glassbreakers features similar character designs to those in Moss and its sequel, Moss: Book II. Other than that, little is known about this mysterious PVP game.

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too much longer for more information. Polyarc this week announced that it will be hosting an official showcase later this month during which the developer will reveal a brand new trailer. We’ll also get our first look at some official gameplay and hear from the creators themselves during a few developer talks.

The world premiere of Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss is scheduled for August 29th at 9am PST. Polyarc will be sharing updates on multiple social media platforms. For more information on how to stay up-to-date visit polyarcgames.com.

Feature Image Credit: Polyarc

The post Moss Creator Announces Its New Multiplayer VR Game appeared first on VRScout.

Train like a pro while dressed as one.

VR sports training provider, Sense Arena, today announced that it has partnered with the National Hockey League (NHL), to launch NHL Sense Arena, the first-ever interactive NHL VR platform.

First launched back in 2018, the Sense Arena hockey platform immerses you in a variety of virtual challenges and drills designed to test your skills on the ice and help improve your performance. The platform is employed by multiple professional sports organizations like the LA Kings and the New Jersey Devils to train their athletes and can be used virtually anywhere, from the locker room to a hotel room.

NHL Sense Arena is the official successor to the original Sense Arena hockey platform and features the jerseys and logos of all 32 NHL teams, allowing you to train and compete as an NHL player or goalie using your personal hockey stick while supporting your favorite franchise.

“The NHL has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and we are thrilled to bring them onto the ice to experience what it feels like to train like an NHL player or goalie,” said Sense Arena founder and CEO, Bob Tetiva, in an official release. “This new partnership will allow hockey lovers of all ages to compete against each other in exciting drills while representing their favorite NHL teams.”

NHL Sense Arena is scheduled to launch in Fall 2023 for Meta Quest and Quest Pro headsets. The app pairs with your existing hockey equipment, offering a truly immersive training experience that has a genuine impact on your performance. Current Sense Arena hockey subscribers will receive the NHL platform update 100% free of charge.

For more information on pricing visit www.sensearena.com/store/us.

We had the chance to check out the Sense Arena hockey platform a couple of years ago and were impressed by the generous catalog of virtual drills provided. As I trained, the app kept track of various performance metrics, such as my accuracy and speed.

Since that 2021 demo, Sense Arena has been designated the official Virtual Reality Training Tool of USA Hockey.

Feature Image Credit: Sense Arena

The post The NHL Is Getting Its Own VR Hockey Platform appeared first on VRScout.

The device pairs with Rokid AR glasses to provide a portable entertainment experience.

Earlier this year, Rokid unveiled its latest pair of augmented reality-powered, Rokid Max.

With a 50% larger display area than the Rokid Air, the company’s previous AR glasses, Rokid Max features an impressive 215-inch boundaryless screen from 6 meters away, offering cinephiles a new to enjoy their favorite films and TV both conveniently and privately.

This past week the company shared more information on its latest immersive device, Rokid Station. Available now for pre-order, this Android streaming box pairs with Rokid AR glasses, such as the aforementioned Rokid Max, allowing you to enjoy your favorite TV shows, films, games, and apps on a massive 215-inch screen while on the go.

The device makes use of a plethora of interesting features designed to provide you with an experience that could potentially replace your home setup, or so the company hopes:

• A portable design – Rokid Station can be used on the go when paired with AR glasses like Rokid Max. The device features onboard buttons, allowing you to navigate the virtual user interface.
• Google Play support – Access a variety of TV shows, films, games, and apps available on the Google Play Store, including YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+.
• Google Assistant functionality – Rokid Station features support for Google Assistance voice input, allowing you to navigate the user interface just by talking.

“The Rokid Station packs an unprecedented cinematic experience into a portable Android TV device that can be carried anywhere,” said Hui Du, Rokid VP, head of Rokid Hardware Design Center, in an official release.

“Its intuitive controls are the natural complement to the Rokid Max AR glasses that deliver stunning visual fidelity. As a portable Android TV device for AR glasses, the Rokid Station enables users to experience their favorite big screen content like never before.”

Rokid Station is now available for pre-order at $129. At launch, the device will cost $139. The company will also be offering a Rokid Station & Rokid Max bundle for $529, offering $39 in savings.

In addition to pairing with Rokid AR glasses, Rokid Station is compatible with most smartphones as well as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck via screencasting mode.

For more information on Rokid Station visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Rokid

The post Rokid Station Lets You Access Android TV Anywhere In AR appeared first on VRScout.