A delicious meal that pairs beautifully with immersive technology.

This past week, Italian artist Mattia Casalegno debuted his latest thought-provoking installation, Aerobanquets RMX, at Miami Art Week in Miami, Florida. The multisensory experience combined VR technology with delicious food to deliver a mixed reality meal quite unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Inspired by F. T. Marinetti’s The Futurist Cookbook, a collection of fictional recipes from the future, the installation supported up to 16 guests at a time, each of whom donned a Meta Quest 2 VR headset equipped with an external hand-tracker. Throughout the unique gastronomy experience, guests dined on five to seven dishes prepared by Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-winning chef Chintan Pandya.

Guests could choose from two menus: regular and vegan. As they ate, the textures and flavors of each dish were rendered in VR. The experience also featured text brought to life by narration from Top Chef judge Gail Simmons.

“We currently live in a world where industrial farming, overfishing, chemical pollution, and soil degradation are jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions by depleting the environment,” said Casalegno on his website. “We live in a culture where speed and economics come before health and quality. With this work I want to put a spotlight on our endangering practices and at the same time relish the joy of eating.”

As you can see in the video provided, Casalegno developed a custom accessory that turns Meta’s Touch controllers into futuristic dishware. This was most likely done to provide a simple and convenient way for guests to track the location of their meals in VR. That said, the final product looks incredibly cool.

For more information about Aerobanquets RMX visit here.

Image Credit: Flavor Five Studio

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The immersive sports experience made its debut during yesterday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The professional NFL team the Los Angeles Rams have partnered with fan engagement platform ARound to launch an absolutely massive augmented reality (AR) experience at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. 70,000 fans can now participate in shared AR experiences during live games using their smartphone devices.

“We are thrilled to team with ARound and SoFi to incorporate AR into gamedays at the Rams House in unprecedented ways,” said Marissa Daly, VP & GM, Los Angeles Rams Studios. “This experience is a continuation of the game-changing ways we’ve partnered with SoFi at SoFi Stadium and across Los Angeles to elevate the fan experience on gamedays and beyond.”

Spectators can access a variety of stadium-wide content to enjoy, from shared AR games and contests to game-enhancing special effects and more. Infinity Screen AR, for example, brings famous celebrations like “Rampede” and “Make Noise” to life on the stadium’s 70,000-sq. foot video board like never before. There are also 3D callouts for key players such as Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner, and Cooper Kupp just to name a few.

“Fans come to the stadium to feel closer to the game, to the players, and to other fans. We developed ARound to enhance those feelings through highly immersive and interactive AR experiences that complement the action on the field,” said Josh Beatty, founder and CEO of ARound. “And with products like Apple and Google AR Glasses already in development we’re excited to open up the living room to blended TV experiences we know are the future of broadcast entertainment.”

Can’t make it to Los Angeles in person? You can use the ARound Stadium app at home to access a “life-size virtual stadium experience” that mirrors what happens during the actual games. Scan the QR code provided below to get started.

“At SoFi, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovation to create seamless experiences for our members, all while fulfilling our mission of helping our members achieve financial independence,” added Lauren Stafford Webb, CMO, SoFi. “We are proud to sponsor ARound’s first-of-its-kind technology for Los Angeles Rams fans at the iconic SoFi Stadium to make their experience even more spectacular.”

This isn’t the first time the LA Rams have experimented with AR technology. This past January, the organization partnered with Snapchat to launch an AR-powered Lens that lets users toss the virtual pigskin with LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Stagwell

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Background audio playback, mixed reality capture, and a shareable wishlist are just a few of the updates you’ll find in Meta’s latest OS update.

It’s that time of the year when everyone is in the gift-giving spirit. This includes Meta, who this year is giving away several interesting goodies.

To kick things off, the company will begin rolling out v47 for Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. This is the first official update since the Meta Quest Pro was released this past month. The update introduces a bunch of new features that will make any Quest Pro or Quest 2 owner happy.

Background Audio Playback

One of the most requested features in Meta Quest Pro is the ability to play back audio files. If you’re a multi-tasker who enjoys working with music or playing your favorite VR game while simultaneously listening to a podcast, then you’ll be psyched to know that you are now able to do so. You can find the feature in the Experimental Features panel.

Mixed Reality Capture

Update v47 introduces the ability to capture reality-bending mixed reality footage on your Quest Pro without any complex workarounds. This new feature can be used to record and show off various mixed reality moments, such as a late-night DJ battle in Tribe XR or an espionage scene in I Expect You to Die: Home Sweet Home.

Shareable Wishlists

Stop dropping vague clues to your loved ones about what you’d like for the holidays and just tell them! Create a wishlist and make it public, or use a special link and send it to your friends and family. You can also keep track of all of the gifts that you’ve received by visiting the My Account page. That way you can send everyone a nice thank you note.

Unsure what to ask for? Check out the Meta Quest Starter Kit to find some holiday gift inspirations. Once you’ve found something you like, just click the “Heart” icon or “Add to Wishlist” button.

You can also ask for a digital $15, $25, or $50 USD gift card from Meta Quest. If you’re buying a gift card for a friend, these ready-to-use prepaid cards can be sent with a personalized message. For example: “Dear Kyle. You stink. Enjoy this $50 gift card.”

Meta Quest Mobile App

Meta is adding new features that will make it easier for you to keep track of your virtual friends using the Meta app. This includes the ability to see what your friends are up to online, send direct messages, and poke them to see if they’re up for a quick game.

Meta is also adding a new feature to the home screen that will make it easier for you to start casting, access your favorite apps, and view your headset and controller battery life.

Avatar Mirror in Horizon Home

With v47, Meta is adding a new feature that will make it easier for you to change your avatar’s look, whether it’s a new face, a change of clothes, or an experimental mustache. You can now check how you look in Horizon Home using a mirror. This feature will be available for the Meta Quest 2 and the Meta Quest Pro. You can even make style and outfit changes in real time.

Throw on a stylish jacket for the Dalai Lama or dress a little more casually for the Pete Davidson show. The whole point of this feature is to make it easier for you to represent yourself in the metaverse.

V47 also introduces a revamped Library for Horizon Home, making it easier to search and filter through your games. If you want more details about the changes in v47, check out Meta’s v47 Release Notes.

Image Credit: Meta

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The limited-time offer is exclusive to Meta Quest and Meta Rift VR headsets.

The holidays are fast-approaching, which means killer sales on your favorite products. Even the uber-popular VR rhythm game Beat Saber is getting in on the action with a massive sale.

Beginning now until December 6th, you can pick up any of Beat Saber’s 136 tracks, and we mean any track, for $.99 each; that’s half off the normal price for those of you unfamiliar with the hit VR experience. This discount does not apply to music packs. You’ll need to purchase each track individually in order to take advantage of the sale.

Beat Saber’s growing catalog of music features songs from popular artists such as The Weeknd, Lizzo, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Imagine Dragons, Skrillex, Linkin Park, Timbaland, and more. Many of these tracks feature various levels, allowing you to increase the difficulty should you find the routine a little too easy.

“This is the first time that Beat Saber has placed its individual paid songs on sale—let alone all of them from across all 35 artists and 16 Music Packs and Mixtapes,” said the official blog post. There’s never been a better time to snag that track (or tracks) you’ve had your eye on, but this deal won’t last long.”

Beat Saber is available now for $29.99 on major VR headsets. Those who purchase a new Meta Quest headset will receive a copy of the game for free. This flash sale is going on now until December 6th and is available exclusively on Meta Quest and Meta Rift headsets.

For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Meta

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Return to the post-apocalyptic streets of New Orleans in this blood-soaked sequel.

Almost three years since its release and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners remains one of the most satisfying single-player VR games currently available on headsets. The game combines visceral combat, satisfying role-playing, and an in-depth crafting system to immerse you in a nightmarish world inhabited by the undead.

Available now on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution picks up right where the events of the first game left off. Players return to the role of the Tourist, a hardened survivor making their way through the now-flooded streets of New Orleans. The city is still infested with flesh-hungry walkers, the Tower is still up to no good, and now the nefarious Axeman is on the hunt.

Throughout the roughly 15-hour campaign, you’ll meet new characters and battle new threats as you travel to never-before-seen locations in an effort to save the city. As you navigate the apocalypse you’ll come across unique crafting recipes for deadly new weapons. New additions also include “Night Mode” exploration for all maps as well as a new Trade Network system.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution is available now for $39.99 on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. There’s also Payback Edition for $49.99 which comes with a handful of weapon recipes and other useful goodies. The game is scheduled to launch on PC VR headsets via Steam in February 2023 followed by PlayStation VR2 in March 2023 (pre-orders open now).

According to developer Skydance Interactive, those who’ve completed the first game, as well as the Aftershocks update, can import their existing save data to bring their crafted recipes and items with them. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing Chapter 1, Meta is now offering a Saints & Sinners bundle that includes both games. Just like the original, Chapter 2 will feature support for cross-buy between Quest and Rift.

For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Skydance Interactive

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Sony will also release an SDK that will allow you to import your motion capture data into 3D animation programs.

Remember the impact the Sony Walkman had on music? The ground-breaking device made it possible to listen to your favorite tunes on the go. Now Sony is back with another game-changing portable, the Mocopi motion capture system.

The six colorful and individually labeled motion-tracking bands are worn on your feet, hands, head, and back, and each sensor is connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. They will then record your movements and provide you with a variety of data points that can be used for YouTube videos or on social VR platforms like VRChat.

Mocopi also comes with a software development kit that will let you import your captures into 3D animation programs and various other 3D software. It should also be noted that Mocopi will be compatible with platforms such as Unity and Autodesk’s MotionBuilder, an animation and motion capture app.

The company claims that this will allow you to create new services related to fitness, the metaverse, and more. It’s really up to you how you use them.

The lightweight design of the Mocopi suggests that Sony focused on making this technology portable. Each of the six sensors is 11.6mm thick and can be attached to your head, wrist, ankles, and hip using a clip or velcro band.

Typically motion capture is something you’d see in a big Hollywood movie. However, Sony’s entry makes it easier for average YouTubers to create their own animated videos. On the professional side, the Mocopi could help filmmakers and animators capture realistic movements in just a couple of minutes.

Each sensor is designed to last up to 10 hours and can be charged using a standard USB-C cable. The device is also dustproof and waterproof and compatible with most iPhone models using iOS 15.7.1 and any Android 11 device or higher.

Because they connect to your mobile device, the Mocopi sensors don’t require any type of external tracking device, such as a base station. What is unsure is whether Mocopi will use a dedicated iOS and Android app for tracking and recording.

Will Mocopi become the standard for creating high-budget films? Probably not. The six sensors won’t deliver Hollywood-quality motion capture. That said, the device can provide more realistic VR interactions or be used to capture basic animations for various projects.

“VRChat has led the industry in the area of full tracking using PC VR headsets. With the introduction of Sony’s ‘mocopi’, we are pleased to be able to provide the same functionality for standalone VR headsets,” said Jesse Joundry, VRChat CTO and Co-Founder. “There are various VR headsets on the market. In combination with ‘mocopi’, we would like users of all headsets to fully experience the full tracking function of VRChat.”

The Sony Mocopi will be available in Japan starting in January 2023 and will only be available through Sony’s dedicated stores for 49,500 yen ($360 USD). It’s not clear when the device will be available in other regions or if it will work with Sony’s PSVR 2. That said, it can be used with PC VR headsets as well as the Meta Quest 2.

Image Credit: Sony

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You can purchase the AR installation as an NFT for a cool $99,000.

Those who attended Art Basel Miami Beach 2022 or the Decipher 2022 Conference in Dubai this past week were in for a treat as renowned new media artist Nancy Baker Cahill debuted a groundbreaking new augmented reality (AR) art piece inspired by her conversations with Sophia the Robot, a human-like robot powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Developed in collaboration with Hanson Robotics, Stone Speaks is the latest in a series of AR art pieces from Cahill and the first in a 10-piece collection that Sophia will develop alongside 10 guest artists over the next 10 years. Inspired by Cahill and Sophia’s shared concern over the climate crisis, the absolutely massive art piece begins as a particle field composed of the elements silicon and carbon.

These elements then combine to form a molten core before transitioning into a healthy planet accompanied by digital paintings inspired by Cahill’s conversation with Baker Cahill. Before long, however, the AR planet becomes polluted, and the particles once again reassemble to form a thriving natural ecosystem.

“Human-machine collaboration is an ongoing subject of interest for me, as I believe it is one path towards better ecological stewardship of the planet to ultimately ensure our collective survival,” said Baker Cahill in an official release.

As mentioned earlier, Stone Speaks was available exclusively at Art Basel Miami Beach 2022 and the Decipher 2022 Conference in Dubai as a geolocated experience. That said, you can purchase the AR installation as an NFT for a cool $99,000 via Aorist.

Image Credit: ITU Pictures / Nancy Baker Cahill

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One of the most popular VR games ever is finally heading to the Meta Quest Store.

After over a year on App Lab, everyone’s favorite VR ape simulator Gorilla Tag is set to make its official launch on the Meta Quest Store next month. Originally released back in 2021, the VR ape simulator was an immediate hit among players thanks in large part to its unique movement system and lo-fi visual aesthetic.

In this free-to-play multiplayer game, up to 10 players take on the role of brightly-colored gorillas and use their arms and hands to “knuckle-walk” around their environment at high speeds. You can run, jump, and climb across a variety of structures without the need for artificial locomotion or teleportation, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the role of a quadruped.

Since its launch, the game has received a number of updates, from new maps to additional game modes and cosmetics. At the moment there are four multiplayer games to choose from:

• Tag – Use your incredible gorilla strength to chase other players around the map while avoiding getting tagged yourself.
• Infection – Outrun infected gorillas or help chase down survivors in this zombie-inspired game mode.
• Hunt – Hunt down a secret target and tag them or help tag surviving hunters to slow them down. The last two hunters alive, win!
• Paintbrawl – Use your slingshot to cover the opposing team in paint. The last team with balloons is crowned the winner.

“Gorilla Tag started as a passion project of mine, and it’s been incredible to watch it grow organically along with a community of fans,” said Another Axiom Founder Kerestell Smith in an official release.

“I’m a gamer myself, and I love VR. Being able to build something of my own and put it out into the world has been a dream come true, and I can’t wait to welcome even more players on the Meta Quest Platform.”

Gorilla Tag will be available on the Meta Quest Store on December 15th 100% free of charge. There’s even support for cross-play so you can play with friends no matter what VR headset they’re using.

Moving forward, developer Another Axiom will continue to introduce new in-game cosmetics on a monthly basis. For more information visit here. It’s also worth noting that Gorilla Tag is also available on PC VR headsets via Steam.

Image Credit: Another Axiom

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Interact with a variety of eye-catching virtual objects with your own two hands.

Light Delights is a simple, yet surprisingly captivating mixed reality experience that turns your real-world space into a vaporwave art gallery. Available now on Quest 2 and Quest Pro VR headsets, the free app features a variety of unique multicolored pieces.

There are five virtual objects in which to inspect, each of which features its own unique interactions. This includes everything from physics-driven gyroscopic rings to a never-ending avalanche of virtual cubes and orbs. The app also features support for hand-tracking, allowing you to interact with virtual objects using your own two hands.

“The standalone color passthrough is IMO the most promising direction for MR,” said Greg Madison, the award-winning XR interaction designer behind the project. “I tested for fun some ideas over the weekend, the magic is there and it’s mesmerizing to play with.”

Light Delights is available for free on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. Simply download the APK via GitHub and install the file on your headset using a program such as SideQuest.

While the Quest 2 version is cool, we highly recommend trying the app out on a Quest Pro for the best experience possible.

Image Credit: Greg Madison

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A new mod brings the hit multiplayer shooter to life on VR headsets.

A modder going by the name of Ifansnek is currently in the development of an unofficial VR mod for 2017’s Star Wars Battlefront 2. First reported by PCGamesN, the mod reportedly features full VR support—including motion controls—promising more immersive sci-fi battles.

“This is not Vorpx. This is not some trick to make the game feel like VR. This is a full VR mod I’m making using C++ and function hooking,” said Ifansnek.

Based on the videos provided, it appears as though we’re in for a serious treat. EA’s 2017 remake is easily one of the most visually impressive games of the last few years. In addition to the single-player campaign, the game features epic 64-player battles set across famous locations throughout the Star Wars universe.

Ifansnek is currently accepting submissions for alpha testers via Discord. Those interested can request access now. The mod is still very much a work in progress, however, so expect a few bugs as Ifansnek continues to work out the kinks.

The developer also recommends avoiding multiplayer as you risk being banned by EA. That said, you can attempt to use the Kyber servers or simply stick to single-player battles against AI.

For more information visit here.

Image Credit: EA

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A rise in drone-based warfare highlights the need for counter-drone training solutions.

Earlier this month, counter-drone protection company DroneShield announced that it has partnered with Operator, a tactical training solutions provider, to develop a new VR-based training system that will immerse military and law enforcement personnel in a variety of unique scenarios, each with its own customized drone threats.

“As the counterdrone industry continues to rapidly grow and develop, evidenced by significant use of small drones by both side in the Ukraine war, there is an emergent need for counterdrone tactics and training packages for the system operators,” said DroneShield CEO, Oleg Vornik, in an official release. “As the global leader in the C-UAS sector, DroneShield is well placed to provide the training.”

According to DroneShield, the system can be used to instruct users on how to effectively operate the DroneGun Tactical and DroneGun MKIII, both of which come included with the system alongside a VR headset and dedicated instructor tablet. In the video provided, we see how the system immerses users in different combat scenarios against various drone types, from reconnaissance to payload delivery.

Instructors can monitor a user’s performance in real-time using the aforementioned tablet. They can then perform an interactive after-action review and replay the scenario from any angle to provide immediate feedback.

“Today’s battlefield is evolving quickly making it difficult for front line defenders to be prepared for all situations,” added Operator CEO Wayne Jones. “Operator’s solutions are enabling defence and law enforcement to rapidly train for these new situations in realistic, virtual environments. We are pleased to be able to add cutting-edge XR-based Counter Drone training programs to Operator’s product offering, in partnership with the C-UAS market leader, DroneShield.”

Those attending the I/ITSEC 2022 Exhibition in Orlando Florida can check out the training platform in-person from November 28th until December 2nd.

Visit here to learn more.

Image Credit: DroneShield x Operator

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Airline Flight Attendant Simulator VR will be available on December 15th via Steam.

Coming soon to VR headsets, Airline Flight Attendant Simulator VR is a consumer version of the actual training software used by major airlines and professional flight schools to train cabin crew members. The educational experience tasks you with saving the passengers, flight crew, and yourself during a variety of emergency scenarios.

Prior to your virtual flight, you’ll learn how to properly operate important safety equipment, from fire extinguishers and oxygen tanks to emergency phones and evacuation slides. Once you’ve become more familiar with said tools, you’ll take to the skies for some high-stakes virtual training.

The game features a variety of missions to complete, each with its own set of unique challenges. This includes Rapid and Slow Aircraft Depressurization, Smoke and Fire, Emergency Landing, and Ditching (emergency landing on sea). Developer AVIAR B.V. promises an immersive experience thanks to a combination of realistic aircraft and safety equipment, gravity effects, and sounds.

Based on the video provided, it appears as though we can expect plenty of intense moments, whether it be serving cold drinks to impatient passengers or applying oxygen masks to the flight crew during a rapid descent.

Airline Flight Attendant Simulator VR will be available on December 15th on PC VR headsets via Steam as well as Meta Quest 2 via Air Link. Now if only the developers could figure out a way to combine their game with Microsoft Flight Simulator…

Image Credit: AVIAR B.V.

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Pick up the HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap at its lowest price ever.

This year HTC is celebrating the holidays with $100 off on select Vive VR hardware over on the Vive website, along with other HTC Vive distributors such as Amazon, Micro Center, Dell, Lenovo, and Adorama.

Looking for suggestions on what to buy? HTC’s Vive Flow is a lightweight VR headset perfect for friends and family members interested in physical and mental wellness.

“Meditation, gentle stretches, brain training, streaming our favorite shows, or even meeting friends or coworkers in VR with VIVE Sync can all be enhanced by a device light and compact enough to fit in our pocket,” said Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO of HTC, adding, “VIVE Flow represents the next evolution of technology, as we take a more holistic view of how we can make life better.”

Or maybe you need something with a little more power for gaming or work? If that’s the case, you should check out HTC’s Cosmos Elite Full System. Not only do you get an awesome PC VR headset with a sweet flip-up design and awesome visuals, but you’ll also get two months of Viveport Infinity for free!

You can also take advantage of HTC’s Black Friday sale to pick up the Vive Deluxe Audio Strap at its lowest price ever. Check out a full list of HTC’s Black Friday discounts below.

• HTC Vive Pro 2 Full System – $1,299 ($100 in savings plus 12 months VIVEPORT Infinity).
• HTC Vive Pro 2 headset – $724 ($75 in savings)
• HTC Vive Cosmos Elite headset – $399 ($50 in savings)
• HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Full System – $649 ($100 in savings)
• HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap – $59.99 ($20 in savings)
• HTC Vive Flow – $449.99 ($50 in savings)

All deals are valid now until November 28th at 11:59 pm PT.

Image Credit: HTC

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The delicious-looking device folds up like an oversized taco for easy transportation and storage.

After becoming frustrated by the lack of effective walking solutions for VR, Mark Dufour came up with his own bizarre contraption he calls the Taco VR platform. First reported by Hackaday, Dufour’s food-inspired device combines a unique-looking omnidirectional treadmill with an advanced robotic platform. When not in use, the device can fit into a small area of your home or office.

To recreate the sensation of walking, the Taco VR platform features a series of motors, a slip ring for continuous rotation, an Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 microcontroller board, and two pixy2 cameras that track each step you take in VR and move the platform under your feet.

But why call it Taco VR? When you’re not using the device, you can fold it up like an oversized taco for easy transportation and storage. Dufour developed the treadmill as part of a hackathon, documenting his efforts in a four-part video series on YouTube.

The Taco VR platform uses gears to connect the stationary base plate to the platform. This ensures that the platform will always face the same direction as the tiles on the floor. To make sure your feet always have a place to step, Dufour uses two disc platforms that use sensors to move the treadmill as you take each step.

At the moment, the platform doesn’t support up/down movement, but according to a blog post, Dufour says it may be possible to introduce said capabilities over time.

To build his Taco VR platform, Dufour used Infento to find sturdy prototyping components. He also used 3D printing to make any gears Infento doesn’t carry.

Currently, there are no safety features built into the Taco VR platform. According to Dufour, if this were to become an actual consumer product, he could add a large circular encasing or something that you could use to catch yourself if you lose your balance. 

The VR treadmill industry has made significant progress over the past several years. That said, the best solution will always be to deliver experiences where users can physically walk around, such as location-based VR games like Uncontained. There are also home solutions like Cybershoes or Virtuix, but Dufour wants something where he’s able to “feel” the ground with his own shoes or even his own bare feet.

For now, the Taco VR platform is a prototype that we all wish we could try. You can learn more about the Taco VR platform on Dufour’s blog page, Blogfarts. He’s also listed everything you’ll need to build our own Taco VR setup on Github.

Image Credit: Mark Dufour

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I sat down for a drink with Thomas Shelby.

Earlier this year, VR developer Maze Theory (Doctor Who – The Edge of Time) announced Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, an original VR game based on the hit BBC series. We have now learned that the highly-anticipated VR gangster simulator will be arriving on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro VR headsets on March 9th, 2023.

The announcement was made yesterday at the 40th Golden Joystick Awards, during which the developer shared a new cinematic trailer. Set in 1920s Birmingham, the single-player action game has you playing the role of Samuel Taylor, a silent protagonist who returns to Birmingham after leaving 10 years ago under mysterious circumstances. In order to avoid the firing squad, you’ll need to assist the family patriarch Thomas Shelby in all of his shady dealings.

“It’s almost time for Peaky Blinders fans around the world to step back in time 100 years and team up with the Shelbys,” said Tim Jones, game director at Maze Theory. “Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom will allow players to explore the mean streets of 1920s Birmingham in an authentic virtual reality experience inspired by the hit TV drama series. We can’t wait to let Tommy loose this March!”

We had a chance to go hands-on with a brief 30-minute demo earlier this week, and despite a few rough patches I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the role of a ruthless 1920s gangster.

The demo began in the back of a rundown box truck helmed by Rowena Fox, a loyalist smuggler, who’s transporting you to Peaky Blinders headquarters, aka The Garrison Pub. Once you arrive at her shop, you have a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls. On the left and right side of your hip, you’ll find an old-school lighter as well as an infinite supply of cigarettes. This is a Peaky Blinders game after all.

Fox’s shop is littered with hidden collectibles, such as various tarot cards personal letters that shed more light on the characters and their relationships. All of these notes are stored in a nifty little journal you can access at any time by reaching over your left shoulder. Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom rewards you for exploring your environment. For example, on the wall of the shop, you’ll find a dartboard and chalkboard. Interacting with these items elicits a unique response from Fox. You can even repair an old radio.

From here you exit the shop onto the infamous Garrison Lane, at which point arguably the coolest title sequence in video game history ensues. Walking down Garrison Lane past the sparks and smoke emanating from the nearby steel factory feels incredibly satisfying, especially when paired with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds’ “Red Right Hand.”

Once you’ve arrived at the pub you’ll be greated by Thomas Shelby, who’ll offer you a drink before explaining your duties as a goon for the Peaky Blinders. I’ll admit, having a drink with Tommy was a cool experience made even better thanks to the voice talents of Cillian Murphy, the actor who plays Thomas Shelby in the original show.

Before exiting the pub, Tommy tasks you with killing a gentleman tied up in the front. This is where the game introduces a bit of decision-making gameplay. You can use the pistol provided to kill the unidentified man or simply exit the bar. Personally, I chose to frighten our guest with a series of warning shots before departing. It’s not clear how your decisions will impact the game, though we can only assume that the choices you make will play a role in how other characters perceive you.

The rest of the demo is more-or-less a glorified shooting range, and an entertaining one at that. After making contact with Arthur Shelby (voiced by Paul Anderson), you engage in a high-stakes gunfight with several waves of baddies. The gunplay, while simple, feels solid. That said, enemy AI (artificial intelligence) did feel a bit wonky at times. Enemies will often shoot at you from out in the open, making them paintfully easy targets. The game is still a work-in-progress, however, so we’ll hold our final judgement until the full release.

In addition to your pistol, you also have access to molotov cocktails which can be ignited using the lighter attached to your right hip. While these handmade firebombs are fun to use, I do wish we were able to light them using a lit cigarette for a more dramatic effect. While smoking has no impact on your peformance, it does help better immerse you in the experience. Personally, I’d love to see more interesting use-cases for your lighter and cigarettes beyond simple role-playing.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed my time with the brief 30-minute demo. Maze Theory did a phenominal job bringing the unique style of the show to life in VR. From the atmospheric environments to the satisfying gunplay and believable characters, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is shaping up to be a stellar single-player experience.

We’re excited to learn more when Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom launches on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro VR headsets on March 9th, 2023 for $29.99. For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Maze Theory

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Your very own dragon is just a QR code away…

World of Warcraft, the immensely popular massively-multiplayer online (MMO) game, has just received its own original augmented reality (AR) experience that allows you to snap selfies with a stable of virtual dragons in the real world.

Available now on smartphones, Dragonflight is a WebAR experience, which means you don’t need to download any additional apps in order to access it. All you have to do is scan the QR code provided with your smartphone and allow the website access to your camera.

There are four dragons in total to pose with: Proto-Dragon, Highland Drake, Wylderdrake, and Velocidrak. Each of these mystical beasts can be repositioned throughout your real-world space as well as resized using basic touch controls.

Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your virtual dragon you can use your forward-facing or selfie camera to snap a photo to share with friends or family. You can even command your dragon to perform certain gestures.

The Dragonflight AR experience arrives just ahead of World of Warcraft’s Dragonflight expansion, which introduces personal dragons you can fly around Azeroth.

To help spread the word, the game’s developer, Blizzard, enlisted the help of Hollywood actors such as Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones) and David Harbour (Stranger Things, Black Widow).

You can access the Dragonflight AR experience by scanning the QR code provided above. For more information visit getyourowndragon.com.

Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment

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Experience what it is like to train like an astronaut.

Emmy award-winning immersive production studio Felix & Paul Studios, the team behind the hit VR series Space Explorers: An ISS Experience, is back with yet another jaw-dropping 360-degree experience for Meta Quest VR headsets.

Available now via the Meta Quest TV app, Supersonic Flight – Space Explorers: Special Feature puts you in the cockpit of a T-38 supersonic jet, the same aircraft used by NASA to train astronauts for spaceflight. The roughly nine-minute 3D 360-degree video takes you through a variety of scenic locations—from a sprawling canyon to a snowy mountain range—at ridiculously high speeds.

“For the past 60 years, NASA astronauts have trained for spaceflight flying T-38 supersonic jets,” states the official description. “Now is your chance to jump on board and fly faster than the speed of sound!”

Similar to the Space Explorers series, Supersonic Flight makes excellent use of 360-degree camera technology to immerse you in a one-of-a-kind experience that would normally be out of reach for the general public. 3D brings the cockpit and its array of controls to life, further absorbing you in the virtual flight.

That said, this experience may not be for everyone. The high-altitude joyride features several moments that could prove jarring to those prone to motion sickness. If you are able to stomach the ride, however, you’re in for a serious treat. Felix & Paul Studios is responsible for some of the most visually-stunning 360-degree films available on VR headsets, and Supersonic Flight is no exception.

Most recently, the studio partnered with NASA to host an immersive VR live stream of the highly-anticipated Artemis 1 rocket launch this month. Supersonic Flight is just the latest in a series of exciting partnerships with the American space agency.

You can watch Supersonic Flight – Space Explorers: Special Feature now on Meta Quest VR headsets for free via the Meta Quest TV app. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Felix & Paul Studios

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Every purchase comes with a free copy of Resident Evil 4 VR.

In celebration of the 2022 Holiday Season, Meta is offering a $50 discount on all Meta Quest 2 VR headsets. As if that weren’t cool enough, the company is also giving away a free copy of Resident Evil 4 VR with every purchase.

For a limited time, you can purchase the 128GB version of Meta Quest 2 for $349.99 (normally $399.99). The 256GB version of the device, which normally costs $499.99, is actually available for $70 off ($429.99) at the moment.

Meta Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset, which means no additional hardware is required in order to operate. Each headset comes with a pair of Touch controllers as well as support for hand-tracking, allowing you to interact with the virtual world using your bare hands.

As previously mentioned, Meta is offering a free copy of Resident Evil 4 VR (normally $39.99) with every purchase. Released back in October 2021, Armature Studio’s remake of the massively-popular action-horror game is arguably one of the best single-player experiences available on VR headsets at the moment.

If you own a headset but not the game, you can pick up Resident Evil 4 VR for 40% off for a limited time via the Quest Store.

But the deals don’t end there. This past August, Meta was forced to increase the price of all Quest 2 VR headsets by $100 due to a rise in shipping and development costs. To help ease the pain, the company is offering a free copy of the hit VR rhythm game Beat Saber (normally $29.99) with every new purchase.

You can pick up a discounted Meta Quest 2 VR headset and two free games now via Meta.com or one of the following retailers: Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Feature Image Credit: Meta

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The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is using immersive technology to help rehabilitate incarcerated parents.

One of the incredible benefits of VR is its ability to connect people over long distances in a personal and intimate manner. Immersive technology has also proven to be an effective tool when it comes to education and training.

First reported by Government Technology, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has created a pilot program that aims to improve the relationship between parents and their children by training incarcerated parents on how to communicate with their children using modern VR technology.

The pilot program was supported by a $680,000 grant from the US Office of Juvenile Justice with funds being used to purchase 21 Meta Quest 2 VR headsets, which were then distributed to participating facilities.

According to Deb Sahd, a special assistant to the secretary of corrections, the program features 11 virtual experiences that allow children and parents to interact with each other in unique and interesting ways. One experience, for example, allows the parent and child to chat with one another while exploring the International Space Station.

The technology allows children to visit their incarcerated parents remotely without having to physically travel to their facility. In addition, the program leverages the help of organizations such as Amachi Pittsburgh and Public Health Management Corporation in Philadelphia to facilitate the visits and help any child who might have questions about the VR program or the prison system.

Staff monitor each visit via a laptop and have the ability to offer guidance or select dialog to help guide parents through a meeting. 

The DOC’s pilot program is being conducted using the Wrap Technologies VR training platform and is focused on helping families improve their relationships. It also provides the VR hardware and software needed for the training of the facility’s staff members.

According to TJ Kennedy, CEO of Wrap Technologies, the company’s VR platform can help parents and children develop healthy relationships, set important boundaries, and avoid potential conflict.

Participants can customize the appearance of their VR avatars to resemble their own families or experiences. Along with parenting tips and avatars, the program also provides educational VR experiences that teach participants how to shop for food, use a smartphone, and clean an apartment; important information for those exiting the prison system. The program will also be incorporating more language options in the future.

“The goal, really, here is good family and community reintegration,” said Kennedy.

Sahd explains that remote visits through community providers can help minimize the negative experiences that children might have when visiting an institution. “Like I always say, outside of recidivism, this is about creating a better life for somebody,” said Sahd in an interview with GovTech.

Through this approach, the DOC can use VR to help rehabilitate incarcerated parents, improve their communication skills, and teach them healthy parenting techniques.

The VR training builds on Parenting Inside Out and InsideOut Dads, two important programs used by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections as well as numerous other prison systems.

Through the partnership with the DOC, Kennedy sees the bigger value of VR, saying, “I think for both societal re-entry, corrections and law enforcement, we’re in a really important place where there is an investment that can be leveraged to use new technology.” At the moment, the VR program is available at various Pennsylvania correctional facilities, such as Muncy, Frackville, and Phoenix.

The results of the post-visitation surveys will be used by the DOC to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, which will also be used for a Pennsylvania State University study in 2023.

Feature Image Credit: GovTech

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Niantic Labs also revealed its Outdoor AR Headset powered by the AR2 platform.

During the Snapdragon Summit, the company unveiled its latest piece of technology, the AR2 Gen 1 platform, which will be a key component for the next generation of slimmer and more fashion-friendly augmented reality (AR) glasses.

Hugo Swart, a product marketing manager at Qualcomm, talked about this latest advancement, saying that the AR2 Gen 1 platform is the first-of-its-kind specifically designed for the development of better AR glasses. He noted that creating these types of devices is very different from other VR projects, such as something for the Quest Pro or Pico 4.

One of the biggest challenges that designers face is power consumption. Qualcomm’s multi-chip design can deliver a 2.5x increase in artificial intelligence (AI) performance while using only half the power. This could allow designers to create glasses that can detect objects in the room faster while remaining lightweight.

For Qualcomm, the goal of the AR2 Gen 1 platform is to spread the computational load across the frames by splitting the processor into three co-processors: one in each arm of the glasses and a third located above the bridge. It features a 4nm-based AR processor that’s capable of handling multiple features, such as visual analytics and graphics, and it can also support up to nine cameras that would be used for tracking you and your environment.

For reference, the Quest Pro features 10 cameras; five inside and five outside. This isn’t counting the cameras on the new Touch Pro controllers.

Unfortunately, the company noted that the new AR2 Gen 1 platform won’t be able to provide the same level of performance as the current generation of VR headsets. For instance, while the new chips will allow users to experience more accurate depth sensing and scanning, they won’t be able to provide the same level of detail.

In order to make the next generation of AR glasses a success, Qualcomm is relying on the support of computers, smartphones, and the cloud. Some of the chipsets that will be used in these next-generation glasses will be able to process AR graphics using Wi-Fi 7. This means you could theoretically connect devices to a network at speeds of up to 5.8Gbps. According to Qualcomm, this feature will help reduce latency and provide a more responsive and natural-feeling AR experience.

Thanks to the AR2 Gen 1, eye tracking will now have supported security features such as iris authentication, which could open up new ways for people to unlock their devices and introduce other features to improve your AR experience.

Prior to working on the next generation of AR glasses, the company had already worked on various AR headsets, such as the NReal Light and the A3 glasses from Lenovo. However, during a briefing with reporters, Swart noted that the company’s current efforts haven’t been able to provide the same level of performance when it comes to battery life, with battery life on all AR and VR headsets averaging right under 2 hours.

Getting involved in the ecosystem is very important for tech companies as it allows them to expand their reach and provide their products with the best possible support. For instance, earlier this year Microsoft announced a partnership to utilize the AR2 Gen 1 chip for future products beyond the HoloLens 2.

By the way, it should be noted that Niantic Labs has also announced its own slick-looking Outdoor AR Headset powered by Qualcomm’s AR2 platform. The device weighs only 0.5lbs and boasts some pretty awesome specs according to the company:

• Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1
• Works outside.
• Hand-tracking
• Works with Snapdragon Spaces (Unity/Unreal)
• 2.5X better AI, 50% less power  (vs last-gen)
• WiFi 7
• Latency phone to device 2ms
• 3rd party controllers
• Supports Lightship/VPS

In addition, Qualcomm also introduced new S3 Gen 2 and S5 Gen 3 sound platforms that are designed to make the latest technology more accessible. This includes spatial audio, which allows users to track their head movements, and the latest version of adaptive noise cancellation, which can be used in games. Unfortunately, these won’t be available until the second half of 2023.

Despite the various features that will be included in the company’s next generation of AR glasses, it’s still not yet clear if the technology will be able to provide the same level of performance. However, given the progress that the company has made, it’s possible that the next generation of AR glasses could be the start of a new era of innovation.

Hey, I just want to look cool and have fun AR experiences!

You can learn more about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon A2 Gen 1 platform by clicking here.

Feature Image Credit: Qualcomm

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