XR developers, Chicken Waffle have announced a new Indie XR Creator Fund intended to assist AR and VR creators by giving them the necessary resources and publishing support needed to launch XR games, experiences, and gamified NFT projects.

There are a lot of hard-working indie developers out there doing amazing work. Unfortunately, many lack the support and experience Chicken Waffle has gained throughout its years by launching successful titles such as Baby Hands and Shadow of Valhalla. Not only does the Indie XR Creator Fund provide funding for indie VR projects, but support from the experienced folks at Chicken Waffle. The team assists in everything from programming to art and design.

Chicken Waffle, who’s partnered with major names such as NASA, Red Bull, Magic Leap, Disney, Adult Swim, CES, AWE, and many others, recently launched a StartEngine investment campaign that lets you invest directly in the company. The company is currently listed with a valuation of $75.1M. 

Finn Staber, CEO and Founder of Chicken Waffle, talked with VRScout about the Indie XR Creator Fund, saying, “Some teams only need funding to reach their goals, but oftentimes could reach exponential success by partnering with a strong development pipeline.” Partnership agreements are determined by discussing the specific needs of each project. “Every project is a unique snowflake,” added Staber. The company is open to exploring a variety of options with developers. Sometimes, that might mean funding the production of a new AR or VR experience; other times it might mean stepping into an existing project and taking on some of the “heavy lifting.”

One important fact to keep in mind is that being part of Chicken Waffle’s Indie XR Creator Fund means you are entering into a partnership with the company. “We have looked to other amazing publishers in the industry to help shape our ethos and contractual guidelines,” explained Staber. “Devolver Digital has done a great job growing its portfolio of successful titles by allowing its indie partners to succeed on the backend after costs have been recouped. So, after a project launches, we will share a similar split revenue model to recoup publishing/development funds.”

“It’s important for indie developers to succeed if their game becomes successful, and that will be the foundation of every agreement we make.”

As for which platform to publish on, Staber would love it if you brought your project to Chicken Waffle’s XRSwim platform, but it’s not required. According to Staber, it was important that creators not be restricted to any one platform.

If you’re interested in joining the Indie XR Creator Fund, you can reach out to the company directly through the Chicken Waffle website or via @ChickenWaffleVR on every social media platform. The company thought this was the most honest way for developers to apply to the program. “We pride ourselves in always being honest and fair when working with partners and clients.”

If you’re interested in participating in their StartEngine investment campaign, early investors can take advantage of the “Friends & Family” state to receive an additional 15% bonus shares! 

The Indie XR Creator Fund has been in stealth mode since earlier this year. The company wanted to wait until its StartEngine campaign launched to make an official announcement. According to Staber, the team will be revealing more information about the fund next month with plans to launch an official website showcasing additional partnerships for the fund.

Feature Image Credit: Chicken Waffle

The post Chicken Waffle Launches XR Creator Fund For Indie Devs appeared first on VRScout.

Little Cities is a cozy VR world-building game from nDreams that allows you to create intricate cities from the ground up on an island, which is basically a blank slate. If you’re successful your city and the population will burst with life and turn into a thriving metropolis, but all of that growth also brings new problems!

Developed by husband-and-wife indie team Purple Yonder, Little Cities looks similar to EA’s classic city-building and management game SimCity. Your primary responsibilities include everything from creating roads networks and maintaining residential neighborhoods to developing various districts for residents to eat, shop, and work.

The secret to creating a lively city is making sure your residents are happy. Access to power, water, and network connectivity will be crucial in this regard. Just make sure you have enough money in your budget for fire and police services, schools, and hospitals. Oh, and don’t forget the unique amenities that make any city interesting and cool!

As your city grows and attracts new citizens, you’ll encounter additional challenges, such as overpopulation, wildfires, traffic issues, even pollution. Fixing these issues will be easier said than done, however, as you’ll need to work within your budget. As your city grows, so to will your available funds.

You’ll need to be strategic as well as creative in order to attract new residents. If you can’t find that perfect balance, the population of your city will dwindle as people pack up their bags and relocate to a location with better opportunities. Thankfully, Little Cities features a variety of unique tools that make building your city unfussy and fun.

Little Cities offers a variety of islands to build on, each presenting its own unique challenges. Some islands are bigger than others, offering more space to develop but more restricted access to freshwater, for example. Once you’ve finished with one city, you can move on to the next island and start developing there. You can even connect your islands through a bridge system, allowing your residents to travel throughout each island.

As your city grows, so too do the gentle sounds of life within your miniature metropolis. There’s also a lovely soundtrack that plays lightly in the background as you build, delivering a sense of tranquility to the adorable city-building experience. 

Little Cities can be played sitting down or standing. You can view your city from above via a god-like perspective or zoom in close for an incredible street-level view. Little Cities will arrive on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets in Spring 2022.

Little Cities was developed by UK indie studio, Purple Yonder. It is the first game to be published by nDreams as part of its recently-established third-party publishing arm. Follow nDreams on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram for any updates on Little Cities.

Feature Image Credit: nDreams

The post Build Your Own VR Metropolis In ‘Little Cities’ On Oculus Quest appeared first on VRScout.

Earlier this month, one of the biggest camera manufacturers in the world, Canon Inc, launched its new EOS VR System. Composed of a dual-optic camera lens, new post-processing software, and new firmware for the company’s EOS R5 camera, the streamlined VR system allows you to capture 180-degree stereoscopic footage in stunning 8K.

Those with experience capturing stereoscopic footage will tell you how time-consuming the process can be. Conventional stereoscopic camera solutions capture two separate images for each eye, resulting in two video files that need to be stitched together in post-production. The EOS VR system simplifies the process by capturing a single video using the new Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens with an ultrawide field-of-view of 190-degrees. This means you no longer have to manually stitch the videos together or worry about any inconsistencies in focus, exposure, or color.

In a two-minute interactive video provided by Canon, we’re given a brief look at the new EOS VR System in action as a group of dancers perform an energetic routine recorded in stereoscopic 3D. By tapping and dragging your finger on the screen (cursor if you’re on a computer), you can look around the 180-degree scene and take in more of the performance. It should also be noted that YouTube currently supports a max resolution of 4K, which means the video you’re seeing was recorded in even higher quality.

Canon’s RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens is available now for $1,999.00 and is compatible exclusively with the Canon EOS R5. You’ll also need a copy of Adobe Premiere Pro for post-production purposes. Needless to say, you’re going to be looking at some fairly large files sizes, so additional storage wouldn’t hurt as well.

For more information on the new EOS VR system, visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Canon Inc.

The post Our First Look At Footage From Canon’s New VR Camera Lens appeared first on VRScout.

Voices of Inspiration, a new VR game from award-winning creator Lucas Rizzotto (Where Thoughts Go) and tech company Z3VR, promises to offer players a unique window into the thoughts and minds of real patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In this out-of-this-world experience, you’ll leave behind the comfortable familiarity of Earth and journey to the stars. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the thoughts and artwork of various St. Jude patients. According to Z3VR CEO Josh Ruben, the goal is to highlight the similarities between space explorers and cancer patients; much like an astronaut traveling to an unknown world, first-time patients at St. Jude are entering their own “high-risk environment.”

“What brought the project into focus in the beginning was an insight that Nicole Stott, astronaut and founder of The Space For Art Foundation shared with us: the journey of an astronaut and a cancer patient have a ton in common,” said Ruben. “They are plunging into an unknown high-risk environment, far away from friends and family, with weird food and even increased levels of radiation.” 

The game was developed as an official tie-in to Inspiration4, an all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth that included St. Jude childhood cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux. Upon ascending the space elevator, you’ll be presented with a variety of unique worlds, each themed after a different question asked by an Inspiration4 crew member. You can then select from a variety of responses by St. Jude patients. You’ll also find various artwork decorating the walls, each piece created by a patient at St. Jude.

“Since [St. Jude PLAY LIVE’s] launch, more than $40 million has been given to St. Jude by generous donors. Gamers all over the world have the ability to make a difference in the lives of children everywhere through creative, immersive interactive experiences like Voices of Inspiration,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, in an official release.

“We’re thankful to Lucas Rizzotto and Z3VR for bringing this project to life to help St. Jude expand and accelerate critical research into the most deadly forms of childhood cancer and other key areas including blood disorders, pediatric neurological diseases, and infectious diseases.”

Voices of Inspiration will be available on Oculus Quest headsets via the Oculus App Lab on October 15th.

Feature Image Credit: Lucas Rizzotto, Z3VR

The post Oculus Quest 2 App Features The Voices And Art Of St. Jude Patients appeared first on VRScout.

Available now on Oculus Quest headsets via SideQuest, In SPACE no one can hear you CLICK is an experimental VR platformer that has you using exploring the inside of a mechanical RPG keyboard.

Similar to the VR multiplayer game Gorilla Tag, this narrative-driven VR experience has you navigating a variety of precarious environments using “monke-like” locomotion. Instead of teleportation or artificial locomotion, you use your powerful gorilla arms to propel yourself across a collection of scattered platforms.

According to the developer, the game was created in a week for the 2021 Epic MegaJam, this year’s theme being “Running out of space.” The game has since received some additional polish in the form of locomotion updates and various other improvements.

“Monke locomotion is surprisingly tough to get right! This is our second take, have ironed out a lot of bugs since our previous (arguably more exciting) game. Now to add support for moving platforms, physics, and different surface properties for ultimate platforming experience in VR!,” said the developer in a Reddit post.

“Personally, I believe monke locomotion has tons of potential. I can easily see it becoming one of the main VR locos with its immersiveness. Yeah, VR stuff can be real tricky to make. I hope you get back to it someday.”

The objective of the game is to enter an experimental keyboard and test keys you come across along the way before escaping through the spacebar. The dream-like environments pair nicely with the “monke-like” locomotion mechanics, allowing you to hop from platform to platform with your incredible gorilla strength. Be prepared, however. ISNOCHYC is one trippy VR experience.

In SPACE no one can hear you CLICK is available now as a free download on SideQuest.

Feature Image Credit: Hollowdilnik

The post Explore Inside An RGB Keyboard In This Surreal Quest Game appeared first on VRScout.

History was made this past week when 8i and 8th Wall broadcasted a live volumetric video interview between two realistic 3D holograms. The scene looked something like something out of a big-budget science-fiction movie. Only this was very real.

During the live event, 8i CEO Hayes Mackaman, 8th Wall CEO and Founder Erik Murphy-Chutorian, and moderator and AR/VR industry influencer Catherine D Henry talked about what it took to bring this one-of-a-kind interview to life and what it would mean not only for the future of AR but the future of communication in general.

Mackaman, whose company specializes in volumetric video, talked about replacing conventional 3D avatars with realistic holograms to instill a sense of “authenticity” between users. “That’s our focus. How do we bring ourselves? How do we get from behind our masks in the immersive spaces of today and tomorrow?”

During an interview with VRScout, we asked Mackaman to elaborate on his thoughts regarding “authenticity” in the digital age: “My focus is largely on making sure our humanity has a space in digital worlds. That’s not to say there isn’t room for humans to take on CG characteristics – think wolf/human/merman/caterpillar. But it’s just as important that we have the technology to create images that are indisputably you!”

According to Mackaman, these real-time volumetric holograms aren’t some laboratory experiment. The technology isn’t years away; it’s a commercial product available right now. During the live event, it was announced that the companies already have a major client lined up.

When pressed about who that client was, Mackaman said, “We are installing the technology with a household name customer in Japan. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose their name at this time. They’ll be focused on consumer mobile AR and enterprise VR applications.”

To bring these 3D holograms to life in the real world, Mackaman and his 8i team turned to webAR experts 8th Wall. The companies simple method of using QR codes to launch AR content without the need for dedicated apps was, in Mackaman’s opinion, the best approach to bringing live steamed holograms into a real-world environment. 

“Our mission is to make AR available for everyone,” said Murphy-Chutorian during the live demo. the CEO then talked about how 8th Wall provides powerful tools for developers, agencies, and marketers so they can easily build out their own webAR experiences using technology like image targets, world effects, and face filters. “One of the nice things about 8th Wall is because it’s on the web and is on mobile phones, 8th Wall provides the world’s largest platform when it comes to AR. Up to 3.5 billion smartphones can access us.”

At that point, it was time for the demo. Both Henry and Mackaman stepped into a green screen room where the two made technology history.

To view watch the live interview in real-time, attendees were asked to scan a QR code using their smartphones, which automatically redirected them to a webAR page featuring realistic volumetric holograms of both Henry and Mackaman. From here, Henry continued the interview and talked with Mackaman about the importance of holographic technology.

“Anytime you need authenticity, like when it has to be this person delivering this message. Or if we need human connection within this messaging or this experience. If that is something you desire, this is the way to achieve it,” said Mackaman in his holographic form. 

Another interesting feature called “Conversational XR” allows you to speak with these holograms remotely in real-time. At the moment, the team is working diligently to bring support to WebXR. “Currently there are limitations on the number of simultaneous viewers you can support through that protocol. However, as our system stands today you could certainly talk with 1-5 people in real-time,” said Mackaman.

Capacity is a much different story, as Murphy-Chutorian explains: “The number can be incredibly large and can handle simultaneous screening at hundreds of thousands of views from around the globe,” adding, “The key piece is that it really is global. It really becomes a live stream in the way you can watch live stream video everywhere, only this is live stream holograms.”

As for putting a motion capture studio in your home or office, you’ll be happy to know that these green screen studios are indeed portable to an extent. That said, the setup process isn’t exactly consumer-friendly. Thankfully, 8i has people who can help you with that. As for the price of this game-changing system, well, that depends.

“If you’re making an outright purchase of the capture studio, software, etc the costs vary depending on the number of cameras and computers. Those costs range from $350,000 to over $1,000,000. After installation, we use a consumption model based on gigabytes streamed to users to determine the monthly usage fee.” 

If purchasing a studio isn’t in your budget, you can always rent. 8i operates several green screen studios located in Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Brisbin, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with an additional location coming soon to Orlando. The cost of these services will vary depending on your time spent in-studio and the total number of viewers.

Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how 8i and 8th Wall’s holographic communication system will continue to evolve. You can check out the hologram interview in 2D or experience the magic for yourself in webAR here.

Feature Image Credit: 8i, 8th Wall

The post Check Out This Live Interview Between Two AR Holograms appeared first on VRScout.

Well, Halloween is just around the corner, meaning things are about to get real spooky, real quickly. So what better time to break down our favorite VR horror games on Facebook’s killer standalone headset.

From psychological horror experiences to gruesome first-person shooters, there’s no shortage of horror on the Oculus Quest 2. The following are five VR games guaranteed to leave even the bravest, most fool-hearty players shaking in their virtual boots: 

Blair Witch: Oculus Quest Edition

Whether you’re a fan of the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project or shaky camera horror in general, you’ll absolutely love this terrifying single-player experience. This psychological VR horror game takes players on an unsettling expedition through the cursed Black Hills Forest in Burkittsville, MD.

It is here you’ll use a variety of tools to collect items hidden throughout your environment, including your trusty camcorder. Along the way, you’ll be joined by your faithful dog Bullet who will sniff out important items and lead you to interesting areas. And before you even ask, yes, you can pet the dog.

Blair Witch Project: Oculus Quest Edition is available now for $29.99.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Aftershocks Update

Skydance Interactive recently released a new update for its highly acclaimed VR survival horror game, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, offering those who completed the main campaign new missions to complete and dangers to overcome.

For those unfamiliar with Skydance’s gruesome VR role-playing game, Saints & Sinners has you exploring post-apocalyptic New Orleans in search of clues leading to the Reserve, a massive military stockpile containing weapons, food, and supplies. Along the way, you’ll battle hordes of flesh-hungry walkers as well as various human factions. The game features a healthy amount of gunplay and ranged combat, but the real fun is in the melee combat. Taking down walkers using makeshift weapons like broken bottle and metal pipes is as satisfying as it is disgusting.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners‘ combination of jump scares and brutal combat offers a little something for everyone. The Aftershshocks update ramps up the action even further, introducing new content guaranteed to please long-time players.

The Walking Dead Saints & Sinners is available now for $39.99. The Aftershocks update is available as a free download to anyone who’s completed the main campaign.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted offers a refreshing take on the now-iconic 2014 point-and-click horror game. You can play through VR remixes of original games’ like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, Five Nights at Freddy’s 4, and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location.

In addition to the original games, FNAF:HP features several original mini-games built from the ground-up for VR. You can take on the role of an animatronic technician in Parts & Service, explore monster-ridden air ducts in Vent Repair, search for hidden threats in Dark Rooms, and shut the door on terrifying mechanical creatures in Night Terrors.

Five Nights at Freddy’s point-and-click gameplay translates perfectly to the VR format. For those seeking a AAA horror experience, Five Night’s at Freddy’s: Help Wanted is a must-buy.

Five Night’s at Freddy’s: Help Wanted is available now for $29.99.

Lies Beneath

Lies Beneath is a VR survival horror game that takes inspiration from a combination of macabre games, television shows such as The Walking Dead and Silent Hill, and classic Japanese horror comics. 

This blood-curdling narrative-driven VR game has you battling an army of terrifying creatures using a variety of axes, knives, and guns. As you journey deeper into hell you’ll come face-to-face with disembodied succubi, zombie-like stalkers, hellish spider heads, and knife-throwing lunatics just to name a few. 

The game features a healthy amount of gunplay and melee combat, making it not only one of the scariest games on the list, but one of the most violent as well. Honestly, I’m a little surprised at the lack of attention this excellently-crafted horror experience received.

Lies Beneath is available now for $29.99.

Resident Evil 4 VR

Okay, so technically this one isn’t out yet, but we couldn’t help but include it on the list. In Resident Evil 4 VR, you play Leon Kennedy, a former police officer currently working for the Division of Security Operations (D.S.O.). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to rescue the President’s daughter from a blood-thirsty cult located in Spain.

According to Oculus, Resident Evil 4 VR offers an experience nearly identical to that of the original, save for a few tweaks designed specifically with VR in mind. Movement, for instance, can be achieved using the analog stick on your Touch controller or via teleportation, an option included specifically for VR users. Instead of switchign to the menu, you can access weapons by reaching down and grabbing them off your body. You can also use your Touch controllers to interact with specific objects, such as keys, ammunition, and/or clues. 

If the VR remake is even half as good as the original, we could be looking at the best VR horror game in years.

Resident Evil 4 VR will be available on October 21st.

Feature Image Credit: Drifter

The post Five Terrifying Oculus Quest 2 Games Perfect For Halloween appeared first on VRScout.

One of horror films’ most iconic masked killers, Michael Myers, is returning to movie theaters this weekend in Halloween Kills, the twelfth installment of John Carpenter’s Halloween franchise. In addition to the silver screen, Michael Myers will also be making his way to smartphones via an impressive Snapchat Lens created using volumetric technology.

By scanning the Snap code, you can unlock a 3D model of the 6’7” horror villain surrounded by fire. The sight of him lurking in front of you will definitely rattle your nerves. Eventually, the blood-thirsty psychopath will begin to creep closer before attempting to slash you with his trademark butcher knife. Yikes!

To create the Halloween Kills Lens, Snapchat and Universal Pictures enlisted the help of a live actor dressed as the infamous killer. The actor was then brought to Metastage, a volumetric capture studio, where they were able to record the performer’s every movement, from his movement to his breathing, in 3D.

Volumetric capture is a technique in which multiple cameras are used to capture and digitize a 3D physical space. This 3D mesh can be applied to a variety of mediums, from video games and films to digital art projects and—of course—Snapchat filters.

Unlike 360-degree video, volumetric video captures the distance between objects, delivering a realistic sense of depth. In a 360 video, you can only view the video from a single perspective. Volumetric video puts you in the director’s chair.

In an Adweek article, Alex Sanger, Universal Pictures Executive Vice President, Global Digital Marketing, said, “In Halloween Kills, Michael Myers has a killer new look that is guaranteed to terrify audiences. We wanted to bring that look not only to theaters but into the palms of your hands, so we partnered with Snapchat and volumetric video to bring that to life in a truly amazing way.”

Not only does the Snapchat filter bring Michael Myers to life in your living room, but you can also use your selfie camera to access a more traditional AR face filter that transforms you into an unfortunate victim of the killer. 

Halloween Kills director David Gordon Green was impressed by the results of volumetric video capture, saying, “Michael Myers looks so realistic with volumetric video, it’s truly terrifying. We’re reaching new levels of terror with Snapchat.”

Halloween Kills arrives in movie theaters this Friday (and on Peacock). The Halloween Kills Snapchat filter is available now!

Feature Image Credit: Snapchat Inc.

The post Halloween Kills Snap Lens Brings Michael Myers To Life In AR appeared first on VRScout.

HTC today unveiled the Vive Flow, a portable VR glasses device. Unlike existing VR headsets such as the HTC Vive or Oculus Quest 2, the Vive Flow is aimed primarily at mental and physical wellness rather than AAA gaming or enterprise. The glasses are smaller, lighter, and more wieldy than a VR headset, making it a convenient option for those seeking a more portable VR device. The glasses even feature their own dedicated carrying case.

The 6DoF VR glasses feature a 100-degree field-of-view and 3.2K resolution with a refresh rate of 75 Hz. In addition to built-in 3D spatial audio, you also have the option of pairing your own Bluetooth headphones. Now, here’s where things get interesting. Rather than using standard motion controllers to interact with content, you instead use your Android smartphone as a single 3DoF remote control. It sounds a bit strange in writing, but once you’ve spent a few minutes “in-glasses,” you’ll be navigating the Vive Flow UI with ease. The company has also teased support for “gaze-based” interactions.

The Vive Flow is aimed at wellness and passive entertainment, removing the need for a complex control scheme. That said, the device is capable of light VR gaming, though I wouldn’t consider it a major selling point. Still, I like how the Vive Flow offers a little bit of something for everyone.

“With VIVE Flow, HTC is taking technology in a new direction, focusing not on what we do, but on how we feel. Maintaining our wellness has come to the forefront in the last few years, with so many millions feeling stressed every day, so it has never been more important to take time out to calm our minds, and VIVE Flow provides the perfect opportunity to escape our four walls and immerse ourselves in our ideal ambiance,” said Cher Wang, Chairwoman and CEO of HTC, in an official release.

“Meditation, gentle stretches, brain training, streaming our favorite shows or even meeting friends or coworkers in VR with VIVE Sync can all be enhanced by a device light and compact enough to fit in our pocket,” added Wang. “VIVE Flow represents the next evolution of technology, as we take a more holistic view of how we can make life better.” 

We were lucky enough to go hands-on with the Vive Flow ahead of today’s announcement, and while our time with HTC’s unique device was short, we can already see its potential as a comfortable wellness and entertainment device. Of course, it’s important to note that the software we tried during our demo is subject to change. With that out of the way, let’s jump straight into our initial impressions:

The Design

Holding the glasses for the first time, the first thing I noticed was the weight; it’s virtually nonexistent. The Vive Flow weighs approximately 189g (less than a pound). According to HTC, that’s about the same weight as your standard chocolate bar, and I’m inclined to agree. This is not a VR headset, this is a pair of VR glasses. The Vive Flow is easily one of the lightest VR devices I’ve ever worn.

The glasses don’t wrap entirely around your head. Instead, the device sits on your dome like a pair of sunglasses. A dual-hinge design promises compatibility with a wide range of head shapes, removing the need for different size models. Light blockers located on the magnetic face gasket do a fantastic job of immersing you in your content. There’s even an active cooling system that removes hot air, preventing fog.

The headset itself is wireless, save for the tethered power supply that’s required in order to operate. For the best results, HTC recommends using its official 10,000mAh Vive power bank, though the company states that a third-party external battery of the same power will also work. You can also plug the glasses directly into your smartphone for maximum convenience, though it will drain your battery, shortening your overall use-time.

The front of the headset features a gorgeous mirror-like front plate similar to that of a dragonfly. According to HTC, this is purely an aesthetic choice. Behind the plate, however, you’ll find several built-in cameras that allow for inside-out tracking, removing the need for external trackers.

One feature I found particularly interesting was the manual IPD adjustment. The Vive Flow allows you to adjust the IPD of each lens individually. According to those I spoke with during my demo, these asymmetrical diopter dials are designed to serve a variety of uses-cases. Speaking of uses-cases, let’s talk about software.

The Content

As mentioned earlier, the HTC Vive Flow is aimed at wellness and light entertainment. This can include everything from meditation and yoga to watching movies and participating in various brain-training exercises. You can even mirror your smartphone to the headset, allowing you access to all of your games and apps in VR. Using a paired Android smartphone, I went hands-on with several of these experiences.

The first app I tried was a reimagining of VR developer Starcade Arcade’s Snake-like VR game Space Slurpies. In this colorful multiplayer experience, players take control of their own adorable worm using their motion controllers and navigate an increasingly complex battlefield in search of delicious food pellets and smaller players to consume. Space Slurpies on Vive Flow offers a near-identical experience, only instead of motion controllers, you control the snake using your smartphone’s gyroscopic technology. I’ll admit I found the controls a bit confusing at first, but ultimately I found the learning curve surprisingly easy.

I also spent time with several non-interactive experiences designed to promote mental wellbeing. This includes TRIPP, a popular VR mediation app that was originally launched on the Oculus Go. This VR mindfulness app is a perfect fit for the Vive Flow, allowing users to quickly jump in and out of meditative sessions whenever they begin feeling stressed.

“Relaxation means different things to different people,” said Nanea Reeves, CEO of leading XR wellness service TRIPP. “It’s important to find your own version of zen, whether that means meditating, watching videos, or playing games. The fact that HTC gets it, that we can use VR in these ways that can benefit peoples’ emotional and mental well-being is something that I personally am very excited about as is our entire team at TRIPP.”  

There’s also MyndVR, a VR platform designed to assist seniors fighting isolation. The company recently announced a new original series, A Road to Remember. In this multi-part adventure, seniors are taken on a trip down the iconic Route 66. The aforementioned asymmetrical diopter dials are especially useful in this regard, allowing seniors suffering from visual impairments to better adjust their visuals for the optimal viewing experience. These are just a few examples of the various types of content on their way to the Vive Flow. This includes everything from meditation and entertainment to productivity and brain-training. More content will be available via the Viveport app on Android smartphones.

The HTC Vive Flow will be available this November for USD $499 / £499 at vive.com/vive-flow. Pre-orders begin October 14th around the world. The company will also be offering a dedicated Vive Flow carry case. Those who pre-order will score the carrying care, two months of the new-and-improved Viveport Infinity (USD $5.99 per month), and a gift bundle that includes seven pieces of content for free. According to the team, the Vive Flow carry case does not feature any charging capabilities.

Personally, I’m excited to see the direction in which the Vive Flow takes. With an excess of VR gaming hardware on the market, it’s interesting to see an immersive device dedicated entirely to lifestyle, wellbeing, and light entertainment. While the Vive Flow might not win any awards with the gaming community, it could be the perfect option for those seeking a more comfortable and convenient VR experience, especially for those constantly on the go.

We’re excited to spend more time with the Vive Flow and offer a full review in the near future. For more information on the Vive Flow visit here.

Feature Image Credit: HTC

The post Hands-On With The New HTC Vive Flow VR Glasses appeared first on VRScout.

Facebook this week announced the arrival of Vudu from Fandango on Oculus Quest headsets, allowing you to enjoy over 200,000 films and television shows from the comfort of your own VR screening room. The on-demand video store and streaming service features a wide range of content available 100% free-of-charge, as well as paid premium content available in stunning 4K UHD.

In addition to purchasing content, you can also rent. This includes first-run theatrical releases such as Free Guy, the latest action-adventure film from internet darling Ryan Reynolds, as well as Disney’s Jungle Cruise, Marvel Studios’ Black Widow, F9: The Fast Saga, and The Addams Family 2 just to name a few. The app even features support for over 100 3D films; a perfect fit for VR.

Such titles include Ready Player One, Mad Max: Fury Road, Venom, Jurassic World, The Boss Baby: Family Business, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Any purchase or rental you make on the mobile, desktop, or smart TV apps will appear in your headset immediately, promising a seamless video streaming experience.

The Vudu app joins a variety of video streaming apps already available on the Oculus Quest platform, including—but not limited to —Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. That said, Fandango sets its platform apart from the pack with its wide range of first-run theatrical releases.

The company has licensing contracts with nearly every major studio as well as dozens of smaller production companies, hosting everything from major motion pictures, documentaries, and independent films to recorded musical performances, anime, and children’s programming.

The Vudu VR app is available now for free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets. For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Fandango

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