Meta's v83 update for Quest improves hand-tracking reliability and responsiveness, especially during fast movements and complex interactions, with new developer tools and customizable throwing interactions, though controllers still offer a more reliable input method for most users.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, a new entry in the stealth series, is set to release on December 4 on Quest, Steam, and PlayStation VR2, featuring open levels, non-linear gameplay, and a new protagonist, Magpie, fighting against a tyrannical ruler, with development assistance from Eidos-Montréal.
Crimson Desert showcases a new gameplay segment featuring a main story quest where the protagonist Kliff faces off against a colossal mechanical dragon named Golden Star, highlighting the game's combat, story, and steampunk aesthetic, with more behind-the-scenes content to follow.
An open-source app called Virtual Boy Go allows Quest users to play Virtual Boy games in 3D today, offering a faithful and customizable experience, though setup is complex and legality of emulation is questionable. Nintendo plans to officially bring Virtual Boy games to the Switch via a special accessory in 2026, but enthusiasts can enjoy the emulator now with some effort.
Blizzard's new Hearthstone expansion, The Lost City of Un’Goro, launching on July 8, introduces 145 new cards, a new keyword 'Kindred', quest spells, and revisits classic mechanics and stories from Un’Goro Crater, with pre-purchase options available.
Beyond Frames Entertainment and Cortopia Studios announced 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City,' a VR action adventure game set to launch in 2026 on SteamVR and Quest, allowing players to embody the Turtles, master their weapons, and confront villains in a city on the edge.
Meta's v72 Quest update introduces faster hand tracking, easier PC connections, and improved keyboard support in virtual reality. Users can now connect to a Windows 11 PC using the Quest's Remote Desktop feature by simply looking at the PC and tapping a "Connect" button. The update also enhances hand cursor stability and introduces a "hand ray visualization" for better navigation. Additional features include live captions for calls and direct messaging in Instagram.
With Black Friday approaching, significant discounts on VR games are available across various platforms, including Quest, PC VR, PlayStation VR2, Vive, and Pico. The Meta Horizon Store offers up to 40% off select Quest games, while Steam and Humble Store provide discounts on PC VR titles. PlayStation VR2 games are also on sale, with additional discounts for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Viveport offers bundles and subscription deals, and Pico bundles its headsets with games and subscriptions. These deals are expected to expand as Black Friday nears.
Netflix will soon be supported on the Quest headset's web browser, allowing for passthrough viewing and multitasking. Previously, Netflix was only available through a poorly-reviewed native VR app. This update could extend to upcoming Horizon OS headsets. On Apple Vision Pro, Netflix is accessible via Safari but lacks a direct app. Both Meta and Apple are expected to announce new features and partnerships soon.
Meta announces mandatory age re-verification for Quest 2 and Quest 3 users, requiring them to confirm their age within 30 days or face temporary account blocking. Users will be prompted to enter their birthdate and may need to verify it with an ID or credit card if entered incorrectly. Different account types with varying restrictions will be suggested based on age, aiming to provide age-appropriate tools, content, and protections. This move comes as Meta faces criticism for not adequately ensuring safety for young users on its platforms.
In Dragon's Dogma 2, players can find Ulrika in Harve Village to the west of Vernworth after she flees from Melve as part of the Readvent of Calamity quest. It's important to find her before heading to the coronation as part of the Feast of Deception quest, and completing certain quests in the village will trigger her appearance. Additionally, players can also find Sigurd in Harve Village to unlock the Mystic Spearhand vocation.
Meta's VR headsets, Quest, experienced an hour-long outage due to a bug in the login servers, causing the devices to display a 'Something went wrong' screen. Meta's VP of VR, Mark Rabkin, acknowledged the issue and vowed to make the headsets "more resilient" to such rare conditions in the future. The outage affected all internet-connected Quest headsets and was attributed to erroneous login-session-related data sent by Meta's servers, prompting a need for increased resilience to prevent similar incidents.
Meta confirms that spatial video playback support for Apple's spatial video format is coming to Quest headsets, allowing users with iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max to upload and view spatial videos on their devices. The update is set to roll out starting the week of February 7, 2024, and will be available for Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, and Meta Quest 2 headsets. This announcement comes just before the launch of Apple Vision Pro, continuing the competition between Meta and Apple in the augmented reality space.
A Skyrim player recently discovered a quest, "Rise in the East," after 10 years of gameplay, highlighting the vastness and hidden depth of the game. Many players admitted to also missing this quest, showcasing the game's ability to surprise even long-time fans. This discovery emphasizes the expansive nature of Bethesda's game and the potential for countless hidden quests, especially when factoring in mods.
Xbox Cloud Gaming now allows Game Pass Ultimate members to play flatscreen games on Quest, but it's not necessary for playing Fortnite on Quest 2/3/Pro. All you need is a free Microsoft account and be in a supported region. However, a supported gamepad is required as Touch motion controllers are not supported. This is a great way to test your WiFi setup and see if playing other titles is worth it. Additionally, there are other methods for wireless gaming on Quest, such as using the Steam Link app, Meta Air Link software, or Virtual Desktop, but they require a medium-tier gaming rig for optimal performance.