MyOpinion

Today sees the launch of the new VR MMORPG Freeland for Meta Quest 3, Quest 2, Quest Pro and SteamVR. The free-to-play multiplayer adventure will initially launch in Early Access and aims to be one of the largest open-world VR adventures. In Freeland, you explore a vast online galaxy threatened by the villainous Ventax. You must forge alliances, fight battles, and uncover secrets to save Freeland. The game features open world exploration, dynamic combat, social interaction, dungeons and PvP combat. You can race cars on tracks, complete quests such as wingsuit flights between skyscrapers, customize your avatar and explore four planets. Additional worlds will be unlocked over time.

Organizers behind the VR Games Showcase last month announced they’re putting on a new livestreamed games event next week focusing on independent developers and studios “both big and small.” Just in time for what will certainly be a rush of XR news.

Called the XR Indies & Friends Showcase, the livestream is slated to kick off on September 25th at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET (local time here), coming just a few hours ahead of the 2025 Meta Connect keynote from CEO Mark Zuckerberg at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.

A hybrid standalone PC VR headset with full-body tracker support, base station-free.

In-box items VIVE Focus Vision headset

Gasket spacer

Face cushion

Rear cushion

Battery

Top strap

Controller (L)

Controller (R)

Lanyards x 2

30 W AC adapter

Splitter cable for charging

Lens cleaning cloth

Quick-start guide QR code

Safety guide

Warranty card

Size reference card for eyeglasses Headset specs Screen LCD panels x 2 Resolution 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye (4896 x 2448 pixels combined) Refresh rate 90 Hz Field of view (FOV) Up to 120 degrees Audio Dual microphones with noise cancellation and echo cancellation Dual driver with patented directional speaker design x 2 Privacy mode for minimizing external sound leakage 3.5 mm audio jack output Inputs Headset button Volume +/- buttons Processor Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ XR2 Memory and storage 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM 128 GB ROM Up to 2 TB expandable storage via MicroSD1

1. MicroSD card not included. Connections USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port x 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port with DisplayPort support x 1 Bluetooth 5.2 + BLE Wi-Fi 6, 6E2

2. Wi-Fi 6E support is country dependent.

View PC VR system requirements Sensors Tracking cameras x 4 Eye-tracking cameras x 2 High-resolution full-color passthrough cameras x 2 G sensor Proximity sensor Depth sensor Infrared floodlight Gyroscope Eye tracking 120 Hz gaze data output frequency (binocular) 0.5° to 1.1° accuracy within 20° field of view 5-point calibration Automatic IPD adjustment Ergonomics Perfect weight balance for comfortable long-lession use Magnetically attached front and rear cushions with cleanable PU leather trim 150 mm wide facial interface for accommodating wide eyeglasses Automatic eye comfort adjustment supporting IPD of 57 mm to 72 mm Patented quick-release headstrap design with easy-to-use adjustment dial Battery Removable, swappable battery with battery life of up to 2 hours Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with included 30 W adapter Hot swap supported with built-in reserve battery for up to 20 minutes of extended standby Controller specs Sensors Hall sensors on Trigger and Grip buttons Capacitive sensors on Trigger, Joystick, and Thumb-rest area G-sensor Gyroscope Inputs Ergonomic grip button Analog trigger button A and B / X and Y buttons System / Menu buttons Joystick Battery Controller battery life of up to 15 hours3 Integrated rechargeable battery (charged via USB-C)

*We’re thrilled to announce EXOcars – VR racing game from XOCUS Studio!**✨

The game has been in development for over a year by the Xocus team, known for creating Z-Race and Omega Pilot. Specializing in racing games, this will be their first release on the Main Meta Store.

🚗 Strap into EXOcars and compete against real players in single-player races and real-time multiplayer. With exciting driving feedback, advanced physics, and high-quality graphics, this VR buggy racing experience is unlike any other.

🚦 Specifically designed for VR, the game targets the core VR racing audience by delivering an immersive experience with realistic car physics.

🏁 Play solo or with friends in multiplayer mode! Different game modes, tournaments with real prizes, challenges, and seasonal events await you in EXOcars.

🏎️ Customize your car, unlock new tracks and locations. Featuring ramps, drifts, and natural obstacles, it makes you feel like a real driver of a roaring buggy, speeding through breathtaking landscapes! And this is just the beginning!

🎮 Long-term support. We plan to expand the game throughout late 2024 and into 2025, aiming to create the best off-road racing experience in VR. Updates will include new tracks, and vehicles, including a buggy with unique physics, and cosmetic upgrades. Seasonal events, tournaments, ongoing balance, and QOL improvements based on player feedback are also planned.

Wishlist EXOcars:

Meta Quest Store: https://www.meta.com/experiences/8057795767629913/

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2898310/EXOcars/

PS VR2: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10012101

If, like me, you started out with just a Meta Quest headset and did not have a powerful gaming PC available, it’s hard to look at what’s possible on PCVR and not feel some envy. But building a capable VR ready PC can get expensive and maybe you just want to try it instead of investing a lot of money into new hardware. If that’s the case then you should look into a service called Shadow PC which claims to stream VR games over the cloud.

Cloud gaming has come a long way in the past decade, and whilst it will never compete with playing on a local machine, it is getting close at this point. As long as you have a good enough internet, game streaming is a viable way to play in VR at this point.

The only company really offering VR game streaming at this point is Shadow PC. While Shadow PC is not the cheapest, it does deliver on its promise of giving you a VR capable PC anywhere you have access to a strong internet connection. As I mentioned, Shadow PC is not the cheapest, there are 3 pricing options starting at $19.99 for, but the priciest and most powerful option clocks in at $49.99. The first month is discounted so you can try it out for $9.99, but it is still going to be expensive after that, especially if you want to play games at higher settings.

As you can see in the specs table below only the POWER option offers a modern GPU capable of playing modern VR games. If you go for the more economical option you will be constrained by an older GTX 1080, which is capable of playing VR but you will need to lower the settings on most games if you want a smooth frame rate, and a smooth frame rate is more important than anything when it comes to VR games.

The first three generations of Spectacles were launched as consumer devices from 2016 to 2019 but lacked any kind of display or speakers. They functioned solely as camera glasses, similar to today's Ray-Ban Meta glasses but without the audio out and AI capabilities.

Fourth generation Spectacles were unveiled in 2021 with waveguide displays for true AR, but were only made to select developers with very limited availability. They were a standalone AR device in true sunglasses form factor, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 chipset, a tiny field of view, and an active battery life of just 30 minutes.

The new fifth generation Snap Spectacles offer a wider field of view, longer battery life, a more powerful processor, and higher transparency to allow bystanders to see the wearer's eyes. And this time Snap will offer them to any developer for $99/month.

Modder Ashok has developed an extensive VR mod for the remake of System Shock, which adds support for 6DOF motion control to the game. This allows you to experience the classic shooter in virtual reality with full range of motion.

The mod includes the following features:

6DOF motion control Gestures for motion controllers Improved object interaction Room scale and physical ducking support

Many other bug fixes and improvements for VR It consists of a UEVR profile and a C++ plugin bundled together. UEVR Nightly 940 or later is required for use. There is also an optional PAK mod that adapts the buttons to the Meta Quest Touch Controller.

Kayak VR: Mirage (2022) is amazingly immersive, packing in a ton of environments to explore in both single player and asynchronous multiplayer racing modes. You never could paddle through the glaciers or meander around tropical coasts with a friend in real-time though. But now, thanks to today’s update, you can.

Initially released as in beta on Steam in mid-August, developer Better Than Life today announced that real-time multiplayer is finally here for Kayak VR: Mirage on all supported platforms, which includes Steam and PSVR 2.

If you're ready to dive into the world of immersive digital experiences, investing in a virtual reality headset is the way to go. Whether you're into gaming, virtual workouts or exploring incredible 360-degree environments, a VR headset can transport you to places you’ve never been – all from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re still on the fence about whether a VR headset is for you, there are plenty of reasons you might want to explore virtual reality. Maybe you're looking for a more immersive gaming experience, or perhaps you want to use it for fitness, meditation, or even virtual travel. VR headsets can also be great for work, offering virtual meeting rooms and collaborative spaces that go beyond standard video calls.

Now more than in years past, there’s something for everyone thanks to more VR headsets being on the market at various price ranges. The Meta Quest 3, for example, offers fantastic all-around performance at around $500, while the Apple Vision Pro is packed with cutting-edge tech, but it'll set you back a hefty $3,500. We’ve tested and reviewed a number of the most popular VR headsets on the market to help you figure out which are the best for your needs (and budget).

On the occasion of the extensive “Sandboxxer” update, I finally took the time to take a closer look at Underdogs. The VR title from One Hamsa transports me to a dark future where only one human city still exists: New Brakka. To get in there, I have to prove myself in illegal mech fights and earn the respect of the street.

In Underdogs, I slip into the role of one of the two brothers who have to flee their homeland. My younger brother King always stands by my side with advice and support. At least when he's not busy hacking my enemies to pieces while I smash opponents in my multi-ton mech named Rilla. The relationship between the brothers is one of the core elements of the story and contributes a lot to the dense atmosphere of the game.

My conclusion on Underdogs is completely positive. The game is a successful mix of sweat-inducing action, roguelike-typical progress and a lot of style. If you've always wanted to take a seat in a mech yourself and really dish it out, there's no way around Underdogs.

With the “Sandboxxer” update, the title has what it takes to be one of the best VR games of the year. The sheer endless possibilities to create your own content and share it with friends promise long-lasting fun. In addition, the new achievements and the open battle mode provide additional motivation. Creative minds and action fans can access it without hesitation — Underdogs is simply a lot of fun and, not the least thanks to the big update, has a lot to offer. Brattas and Sistas, grab your mech and dive into the fray!

Ember Souls takes you into a fantastic world full of adventure and danger. As the last immortal, you must face an ultimate battle against the mysterious Shadow Sultan in this VR hack-and-slash game. This involves not only sword fights, but also parkour, climbing and tricky environmental puzzles. Find out how the demo of the title inspired by Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed plays in this article.

A magnificent palace full of mystery My adventure begins on a boat, slowly drifting towards an island. Even from a distance, I can see magnificent buildings with golden domes that remind me of the architecture in Prince of Persia and immediately catch my attention. I disembark at a jetty, grab a sword and make my way to an imposing palace.

Standing in front of a closed gate, a shimmering blue bird invites me to pet it. In a brief conversation, it tells me how to get over the walls and into the palace. On my way there, I smash barrels and vases and find a useful sign — an incentive to explore my surroundings further.

I’m a big survival game fan. I love punching trees or picking up rocks and sticks to make tools. However, these games often discount the greatest tools humans were ever gifted with: your own two hands. Fortunately, Bootstrap Island makes full use of them.

At Gamescom, I played the latest version of this early access SteamVR game from Maru VR Productions. The studio recently added a simple building mechanic, though you can only make fences and gates right now. There are plans to expand this mechanic while adding features like food spoilage, boots, and new bosses this fall.

Like many survival games, I find myself stranded on a desert island. I love pirates, so I like to think I'm one who got blasted overboard during a ship capture gone awry. Unlike most survival games, rather than gathering resources to build tools, I can use my hands to do everything I want.

If I need to drink, I can smash a coconut against a boulder and rip its rind off if I need to drink. Then I'll bash it into the boulder again to split the coconut in two, drinking the sweet water within by holding it up to my face. I could also poke holes in the top with a knife I found in a locked chest. This method stopped any water from spilling out when it cracked open. I could also eat the flesh, piece-by-piece with my hands, by holding it up to my gob.

Opening the locked chest involves finding a rock to whack it open. Seeing the sparks flying off the metal gave me an idea. I gathered the spent coconut rind and placed some nearby sticks and planks on top of it, then got the rock in one hand, locked chest in another, and created sparks until I had a roaring bonfire going. That’s the beauty of creating intuitive systems like this.