Developers Begin Exploring Hand-Tracking with New Game for PSVR 2

Back in December, the world of PSVR 2 was given an exciting new dimension: hand-tracking support. This opened the door for developers to enhance their games by using the headset’s built-in cameras for controller-free interaction. And one of the most thrilling uses of this feature? Casting spells with your own two hands.

The wait is finally over for fans of the game “Masters of Light” (2024). Studios COVEN and ALBYON have rolled out a highly anticipated hand-tracking update for this PSVR 2 title. Now, players can launch beams of light, summon protective shields, and manipulate energy to fight off shadowy celestial foes—all without a controller in sight.

In a PS blog post, Celine Tricart, the game director and co-founder of Coven, shared her thoughts: “Every nuanced gesture, every flick of your wrist, transforms instantly into spellcasting action. Battles have never felt so natural, immersive, or downright thrilling.”

Even though the game now boasts the same features as its Quest counterpart—which debuted on Quest 2 and later versions last May—reaching this milestone wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. Tricart described the process as “an incredible challenge, but also a dream come true.”

A key player in achieving this leap in gameplay was the porting team known as VR Monkey. With experience in adapting titles like “Into the Radius,” “Ghosts of Tabor,” “Vendetta Forever,” and “Synth Riders,” they were up for the task. VR Monkey revealed it took them about two and a half months to get things right. The reasons? Unity’s lack of built-in support for PSVR2’s hand-tracking, necessitating a custom plugin—a major hurdle that explains why we’re not seeing an abundance of hand-tracked games on this platform just yet.

Currently, “Masters of Light” isn’t alone in exploring hand-tracking on PSVR 2. Earlier, Aldin Dynamics incorporated it into “Waltz of the Wizard,” a spell-casting game, back in February. Fans are still waiting to see if other game developers will jump on this innovative bandwagon.

For those eager to dive into this hands-on magical experience, “Masters of Light” is available on the PlayStation Store for PSVR 2 and on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and newer versions, all for $20. Additionally, it’s on the docket to launch on Steam “soon” for PC VR headsets, where interested players can currently add it to their wishlist.