The XR Week Digest (December 2, 2024): Leak of Valve Roy Controllers 3D Models, Black Friday VR Discounts, and More!

Hey there, and a big Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S. and Canada! While we don’t celebrate it here in Italy, I know it’s a significant holiday for many of you, so I hope you had a heartwarming time with loved ones. For those who skipped the festivities, I trust you made the most of those Black Friday deals. I snagged a few items myself—most notably a new phone. My old one was on its last legs, which became embarrassingly clear when a friend joked about starting a donation fund for me! 😂 Also, a quick shout-out: I’ve joined Bluesky! The interactions there seem more genuine than on X lately, so feel free to follow me there. But don’t worry, I’m not abandoning X, so you can catch me on both platforms.

Top news of the week

Roy Controllers 3D Models Uncovered in SteamVR Files

It looks like the dataminers have struck again! They’ve unearthed the 3D models of the Valve Roy controllers within the SteamVR files. This discovery aligns with recent leaks and suggests Valve is nearing the final stages of developing these controllers, hinting the Deckard headset might be on the horizon, possibly in 2025. The 3D models substantiate previous leaks, revealing the controllers come equipped with bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, a variety of buttons, and triggers. Essentially, they’re built to replicate a full gamepad experience, letting you dive into Steam’s game library right from your headset. Moreover, it seems Valve has chosen Arcturus Technologies’ reliable tracking tech for these controllers, promising high-quality mixed reality passthrough capabilities.

Other Relevant News

Discover Cyber Monday Deals!

The VR savings frenzy continues this Cyber Monday! You’ll find tons of fantastic hardware and software deals listed below:

• Huge discounts on the PSVR 2, now $350 alongside Horizon Call Of The Mountain.
• The Pico 4 Ultra offers a flavorful bundle with motion trackers, games, and a free month of VRChat Plus.
• In the US, snag a Quest 3S for $299.99, plus a $75 gift card.
• HTC isn’t holding back, offering various deals across its hardware, including the Vive Focus Vision and a bundle discount on the Vive XR Elite.

Apple’s Long History with XR

Did you know Apple has been tinkering with XR tech since 2008? While the Apple Vision Pro was reportedly in development for seven years, it seems the groundwork was laid even earlier. A 2008 Apple patent describes a VR headset, hinting at their longstanding interest in immersive technology. Though patents don’t always lead to products, it’s clear Apple was eyeing XR possibilities well before Oculus Rift gained attention.

VRChat’s Age Verification Debut

In a significant move, VRChat is rolling out age verification in collaboration with Persona. This verification isn’t mandatory across the board but will be needed for accessing certain adult-oriented spaces on the platform. It’s a proactive approach allowing adults to interact freely without awkwardness and ensuring youngsters can enjoy age-appropriate spaces. I’m eager to see how this changes user engagement, especially considering past hesitations I’ve encountered regarding ID verification in digital spaces.

News Worth a Mention

Pimax Crystal Super and Prime Plans

Pimax has unveiled its latest offering, the Pimax Crystal Super. With a resolution that promises near-retina display quality, it comes with impressive specs like a 3840x3840x2 resolution and options for different optical systems. However, Pimax’s ambitious pricing and subscription model have stirred debate within the VR community. It’s a curious package that demands close scrutiny before commitment.

XREAL Teases New AR Glasses

Mark your calendars for December 4th as XREAL gears up to launch new AR glasses. While details are scant, the anticipation is high—will these be groundbreaking 6DOF glasses or more media-centric 3DOF ones? Only time will tell.

Unexpected VR Developments

Did you hear about the ‘Virtual Reality for Insects?’ Researchers at Flinders University are busy studying insect behavior through an innovative mini VR setup—truly fascinating stuff. And over in Hong Kong, researchers have crafted a ‘virtual lollipop’ leveraging iontophoresis to recreate various flavors, including the infamous durian!

Tom Emrich’s Latest Work

AR expert Tom Emrich has released “The Next Dimension.” His book is a guide to utilizing AR for business growth and is bound to be insightful for anyone exploring the potential of AR in their industry. Knowing Tom’s work, I’m confident it will offer plenty of valuable takeaways.

Dive into Halo in VR

Halo: Combat Evolved fans rejoice—a new mod lets you play the full campaign in VR! With features like full 6DOF motion controls and customizable settings, it’s attracting rave reviews from early adopters.

Content Launch and Reviews

Mark your diaries for December as several notable VR titles hit the market, including "Home Sports" and the "Premier League Player." Meanwhile, “Trombone Champ: Unflattened” is winning fans over in its transition to VR.

Brief News Updates

Catch up on the latest: Miroslav Kotalík unveils Zero V2 AR glasses, and stats suggest the PCVR market is slowly growing. Meanwhile, an innovative strap may just revolutionize comfort for Apple Vision Pro users.

News from Friends

Discover GroKit Core, a versatile low-code platform designed to streamline XR app development in Unity. It’s a treasure trove for anyone looking to simplify coding tasks.

Some XR Fun

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Check out these playful Black Friday antics and XR fail compilations to lighten your day.

Giving Back

In the spirit of generosity, consider supporting those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Red Cross is actively providing much-needed assistance. Many thanks to my incredible Patreon supporters—your encouragement is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

Here’s a link to donate: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine.