VR game developers say 2025 marks a shift away from new headset launches toward diversifying across Quest, PlayStation, and Steam to reach players, with cross‑platform releases proving beneficial but funding tightening. While some studios report solid holiday sales and ongoing content drops, others like Cloudhead Games have cut staff, and overall investment remains tight as Horizon OS is shelved and reliance on subscription revenue grows, prompting questions about sustainable indie VR growth in the near term.
A new free VR mod called BetterVR allows players to experience The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in virtual reality using the Cemu emulator and a VR headset, offering full 6DOF and hand tracking for an immersive experience, created by the team behind successful VR ports and mods.
The Nintendo Power Glove, despite being a flawed and ambitious device from the late 1980s, played a significant role in shaping the future of virtual reality and gaming technology, influencing later successful products and industry developments.
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.
Valve is expanding into the mobile realm with the Steam Frame, a device that supports Android apps and games, especially VR titles, by allowing developers to bring their APKs directly to Steam. The device aims to seamlessly integrate Android apps into Steam's ecosystem, potentially paving the way for broader use of SteamOS on various ARM devices, including laptops and handhelds. Valve's approach emphasizes native performance and developer support, with future plans for web app integration and sideloading Android APKs.
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.
Scientists from the University of Würzburg have developed the world's smallest bright pixel, measuring just 300x300 nanometers, which could revolutionize miniature displays in VR and AR devices by providing high brightness and resolution in an extremely tiny form factor, although challenges like full color coverage and efficiency remain.
The article explores the early development and immersive experience of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City in virtual reality, highlighting its detailed sewer lair environment where players can relax, socialize, and explore, emphasizing the game's focus on creating a cozy, family-like space for fans to hang out in VR.
Amazon is offering a discounted Quest 3S VR bundle for $299 during Prime Big Deal Day, featuring mixed reality capabilities, improved graphics with Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, and additional content and services, making it an affordable entry into Meta's VR ecosystem.
Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses feature a built-in HUD and support custom prescription lenses, but these must be bonded at purchase, making aftermarket options unavailable. The glasses support various visual and communication functions, weigh 69 grams, and have a battery life of around six hours, with a high cost of $1000 including prescription bonding. Availability is limited, requiring demos at retail stores, with delivery taking 5-8 weeks.
Meta has announced Hyperscape Capture, a new technology that allows users to quickly scan real-world rooms and create photorealistic virtual replicas, enhancing metaverse experiences. The feature is now in Early Access for Quest 3 and Quest 3S users, with plans to expand functionality, including inviting others into these digital spaces. Meta also introduced new VR games and streaming partnerships at its Connect conference.
Some VR users experience a temporary sensation of being 'stuck in VR' after removing their headsets, caused by discrepancies in proprioception and the brain's adaptation to virtual environments. This phenomenon, known as 'proprioceptive-disconnect,' is linked to the imperfections of VR tracking and latency, and generally fades within a few hours. Studies suggest these effects can also influence memory and physical perception, highlighting the need for further research into VR's long-term impacts.
The article discusses the possibility of playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in VR on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, using a new cardboard Virtual Boy accessory that resembles the original Virtual Boy and shares similar lenses with the Labo VR kit. Given the Switch 2's more powerful hardware and higher resolution display, Nintendo could easily enable a better VR experience for Zelda and other games, potentially bringing full-color VR to the platform without requiring subscriptions.
No Man's Sky is the first PS VR2 game to utilize PS5 Pro's PSSR AI upscaling, enhancing image clarity and detail in VR, thanks to a close collaboration with Sony. The update also introduces a new 'Corvette' ship for multiplayer exploration. This development marks a significant step in leveraging PS5 Pro's capabilities for high-fidelity VR gaming.
Marvel's Deadpool VR impresses with its satisfying combat, expressive cel-shaded visuals, and immersive gameplay, making it a promising addition to VR superhero games, arriving on Quest 3 and 3S on November 18.
