The XR Weekly Recap (December 2, 2024): Leak of Valve Roy Controllers 3D Models, Top Black Friday VR Deals, and More!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to everyone celebrating! Although we don’t observe Thanksgiving in Italy, I’m well aware of its significance in the US, Canada, and a few other places. I hope all of you who celebrated had a wonderful time with loved ones. For those of you who didn’t participate, I trust you found some good deals during Black Friday! Personally, I picked up a few items, with the most noteworthy being a new phone since my current one had seen better days. I realized it was time to upgrade when a friend in Helsinki jokingly asked if there was a donation fund for my phone! Before diving into this week’s XR news, I’ve got one last announcement: I’m now on Bluesky! If you’re on there as well, feel free to follow me. I’ve noticed that engagement on X has become increasingly scarce, so I’m exploring Bluesky as an alternative. That said, I’m not leaving X just yet, so you can still find me there too.

Top News of the Week

Roy Controllers 3D Models Found in SteamVR Files

Dataminers have stumbled upon 3D models of Valve’s Roy Controllers hidden within the SteamVR code. This finding aligns with earlier leaks and suggests that Valve is nearing the final stages of developing these controllers, potentially signaling that the launch of the Deckard headset is on the horizon. Considering these models are already integrated into SteamVR, there’s speculation that the full headset kit could arrive as early as 2025. The details revealed in the leaks are confirmed by these models, which show the controllers are equipped with bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, buttons, and various triggers—essentially transforming them into a full gamepad that can conquer the entire Steam game library on a massive screen with the headset. Additional datamining has revealed Valve’s partnership with Arcturus Technologies for their inside-out tracking, a technology demonstrated to be quite promising since a 2020 showcase. This bodes well for the Deckard headset’s mixed reality capabilities.

Discover Cyber Monday Deals!

The Black Friday/Cyber Monday VR deals are still on! Dive into the links I’ve shared below to discover discounts that range from hardware to software. Here are some of my picks:

• PSVR 2 is now at an incredible $350, bundled with the enticing Horizon Call Of The Mountain—a sure way to boost sales following the previous spike.
• Pico 4 Ultra bundles together Pico Motion Trackers, three games, and a month of VRChat Plus.
• Quest 3S is being offered by some US retailers for $299.99, with a $75 gift card thrown in.
• HTC is also enticing buyers with discounts: vive Focus Vision has a free DisplayPort adapter and a select few games; Vive XR Elite has a $100 to $150 discount depending on the bundle; Vive Pro 2 sees a hefty $400 off its full bundle.

Use the code ‘BFCM24’ at the Horizon (Quest) Store to receive up to 40% off select games, applicable multiple times.

Additional Highlights

Apple’s XR Journey Since 2008

Apple is known for its extensive R&D before hitting the market, as evidenced by their Apple Vision Pro, developed over seven years. Interestingly, an even older patent from 2008 suggests that Apple’s XR interests date back even further, sparked by a Mac World journalist’s resurfacing of the document. This patent describes a wearable display equipped with sensors allowing the user to feel like they’re in a real environment. While not definitive proof of direct development of the Vision Pro, it shows Apple pondered over immersive tech long before other players like Oculus.

VRChat Rolls Out Age Verification

Teaming with Persona, VRChat introduces age verification, requiring users to submit government ID for specific instances marked ‘Age Verification’. This move is pivotal, opening up age-verified zones where adults can converse freely and responsibly without worrying about unsuspecting minors. Although verification isn’t mandatory across the board, it’s optional—for now—catering to more secure, age-appropriate interactions while acknowledging privacy concerns that may deter users from sharing personal details. It will be fascinating to see how many users opt to verify their age.

News Worth Noting

Pimax Introduces Crystal Super and Prime Subscription

Pimax, hailing from China, launches the Crystal Super—a VR headset promising remarkable resolution. It features a 3840x3840x2 resolution with a refresh rate of 72Hz/90Hz and a 120°-horizontal FOV. With advancements such as interchangeable optical systems and QLED+MiniLED screens, performance hinges greatly on having high-end hardware like an RTX 8090. The steep price of $1700 comes with an option for the Pimax Prime subscription, which has sparked some debate due to its unclear purpose and benefits.

Sneak Peek into XREAL’s AR Glasses

XREAL teases its new glasses launching December 4th at 10:00 AM EST. The bit of mystery about whether these are 3DOF media-centric or 6DOF AR-centric devices adds to the anticipation.

Insect VR Research

Flinders University employs virtual reality in studying insect behaviors by creating tiny VR environments designed to observe the insects’ interactions within them. This novel approach could pave the way for deeper insights into animal behavior.

Taste the Virtual Lollipop

Innovative researchers at the University of Hong Kong are pioneering a virtual lollipop with flavorable hydrogels that release different tastes through iontophoresis. This lollipop can simulate tastes like cherry, green tea, and, amusingly, durian.

Community and Reviews

Tom Emrich launches his insightful book, “The Next Dimension,” guiding readers through the landscape of AR in business. Meanwhile, a VR mod for Halo: Combat Evolved allows players to experience the campaign in a new, more immersive realm, capturing a wave of excitement online.

Other News

From the showcase of Zero V2, a promising iteration of open AR glasses, to the evolving stats of the PCVR market, there’s always more to explore. Join me in supporting the Red Cross mission in Ukraine. Your generous support helps alleviate the humanitarian challenges arising from ongoing conflicts.

(Header image by Upload VR)

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