The XR Weekly Recap (December 2, 2024): Valve Roy Controller Leaks, Black Friday VR Offers, and More!

A warm Thanksgiving greeting to all my American friends out there! Though we don’t celebrate it in Italy, I’m well aware of its significance in the U.S., Canada, and a few other places, so I truly hope everyone had a wonderful time with family. For those not partaking, perhaps you snagged some great deals during Black Friday! Personally, I picked up a few items, the most notable being a new phone. My old devices had hit rock bottom, unsuitable for work. Realizing I needed an upgrade hit me hard when a friend in Helsinki jokingly suggested setting up a donation fund after seeing my phone! Before we dive into the XR happenings of the week, I have some news: I’ve joined Bluesky! If you’re on there, follow me. I’ve found engaging with real users increasingly challenging on X, so I’m exploring Bluesky’s potential. But don’t worry, I’m still active on X as well.

Key Highlights of the Week

Recently, dataminers uncovered 3D models of Valve Roy controllers embedded within SteamVR’s code. This discovery supports the speculation that Valve is progressing with these controllers, hinting towards a possible Deckard headset launch in the near future, maybe by 2025. The models reveal various features such as thumbsticks, bumpers, and a D-pad, confirming previously leaked details. These controllers, designed as a cohesive gamepad pair, aim to allow users to play a wide range of Steam games on a headset screen. Furthermore, Valve is employing Arcturus Technologies’ inside-out tracking technology, which has shown impressive performance in past demonstrations from 2020, raising optimism for Deckard’s mixed-reality capabilities.

Additional Significant Updates

The VR sales bonanza from Black Friday through Cyber Monday rolls on! Here’s a sneak peek at some notable deals that caught my eye:

• PSVR 2 is seeing a substantial discount, dropping to $350, bundled with "Horizon Call Of The Mountain," which could lead to a significant increase in sales as we saw previously with similar promotions.

• Pico 4 Ultra includes Pico Motion Trackers, three games, and a month-long VRChat Plus subscription all wrapped up in an appealing package.

• Some U.S. stores offer the Quest 3S for just $299.99, along with a $75 gift card.

• HTC’s offers are equally tempting: Vive Focus Vision packs a DisplayPort adapter and several games, while Vive XR Elite and Vive Pro 2 come with notable discounts, particularly when bundled with extra gear.

Crafty shoppers could also receive up to 40% off select games on the Horizon (Quest) Store using the BFCM24 code multiple times during checkout.

An Apple XR History Flashback

Apple’s been crafting the Vision Pro for years, working away under the radar to ensure it’s nothing but top-notch when released. Surprisingly, a patent from 2008 suggests they might’ve been tinkering with VR headgear long before recent developments. This older patent outlined VR features similar to today’s tech, demonstrating Apple’s longstanding interest in immersive reality and paving the path for future innovations.

VRChat’s Age Verification Initiative

VRChat is rolling out a new age verification feature, partnered with Persona, requiring users to confirm age with a government ID for access to certain worlds. While it won’t be mandatory across the platform, users can display a "Verified 18+" badge on their profiles. The company is smartly releasing this feature in stages to iron out potential issues promptly. This is a pivotal step for social VR, addressing community appeals for separating adult and child interactions and enhancing user experience. It remains to be seen how many will opt for verification, but providing this as an optional feature makes it a solid approach for VRChat.

Noteworthy Mentions

Pimax, known for pushing boundaries, is launching the Pimax Crystal Super headset with some jaw-dropping specs. This VR system boasts a potential near-retina resolution among other innovative features. However, Pimax’s reputation for delays adds a layer of caution until hands-on reviews surface. With its introduction priced around $1700, Pimax’s unique payment plan, the Prime subscription, continues to stir debate within the community, raising questions about subscription terms and returns policy.

Meanwhile, XREAL hints at unveiling new AR glasses on December 4th, teasing either advanced media glasses or innovative 6DOF augmented reality devices. Also in a tech twist this week, researchers have created a VR rig for insects at Flinders University as a novel approach to studying animal behavior—turns out bugs might have cooler rigs than some of us!

Experimenting with Tastes in VR

In a quirky shift from the norm, researchers at the University of Hong Kong are pioneering a virtual lollipop capable of simulating various tastes. Using hydrogel technology, they replicated flavors like sugar, salt, and bizarrely enough, durian. Why durian? Your guess is as good as mine, but it’s a comedic addition to their innovative list.

A Quick Book Announcement

Tom Emrich, a major figure in the AR world, has released his new book "The Next Dimension: How to Use Augmented Reality for Business Growth in the Era of Spatial Computing." Readers can expect insightful analysis and advice, making it a beneficial read for entrepreneurs eyeing augmented reality advancements.

A Mod Reinventing Halo

For those feeling nostalgic, a new mod brings Halo: Combat Evolved to the VR world, complete with full motion control capabilities. This exciting development is readily available on GitHub and fans are already buzzing with excitement over their experiences.

Content Updates and Reviews

Several new titles are heading to VR platforms this month—be sure to check them out! Notably, games like "Home Sports" from Resolution Games, and "Premier League Player" are coming soon, promising fresh entertainment across mixed reality.

For a bit of VR humor, there are deals and laughs to uncover, ready to make your shopping or gaming experiences a tad more entertaining. The XR space continues to grow and evolve with each new technological leap, promising exciting horizons to explore.

Lastly, let’s remember the importance of supporting others. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by conflicts. Here’s a kind shout-out to my generous Patreon supporters. Your contributions make a huge difference. Thank you all!

If you’d like to support charities, here’s where you can contribute:

• Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

Remember, this blog is reader-supported. I include affiliate links, and if you choose to buy something through them, it helps keep this platform running. Full disclosure is available if needed.