The latest XR News Round-Up is here, offering quick updates on recent news stories.
As we approach 2024's end, the news simply isn't letting up. We went hands-on with Samsung's upcoming Android XR headset, we learned three other companies are developing their own Android XR headsets, and Quest v72 began rolling out. Several games were also announced for the upcoming platform, Beat Saber added a Metallica DLC pack, while Quest saw Action Hero, Iron Rebellion, and Home Sports launch.
Our weekly newsletter and latest articles can tell you the rest. Otherwise, here are a few stories we initially missed.
PC VR Space Exploration Sim Inter Solar 83 Gets New Alpha Update
Space exploration game Inter Solar 83 received its latest Alpha update this week on PC VR. Changes include a new planet type, a reworking of the atmospheric systems, visual enhancements like volumetric fog, more terrain models, an updated save system, and more. A free demo remains available on Steam, and the closed Alpha is accessible via Patreon.
Living Room Gets Festive With Free Winter Update On Quest
Following its recent launch on Quest, mixed reality wildlife management game Living Room received a free Winter Update. That introduced festive decorations, a new Pet Happiness System, more toys and other features like island refunds to reclaim Happy Points.
VR Barber Sim Shave & Stuff Gets Dreads DLC
It's been a busy week for Shave & Stuff, the barber and tattoo VR sim from HyperVR Games. Alongside launching the Dreads DLC on Quest with more than 30 new scenarios, it's also received a visual overhaul with the 'Glow-Up Update.' Elsewhere, Pets & Stuff received a port on PlayStation VR2.
Thrasher Wins Apple Vision Pro Game Of The Year At The App Store Awards
Thrasher, the new VR arcade game from developer Puddle and publisher Creature, won the Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year at the recent App Store Awards hosted by Apple. Initially released back in July on Vision Pro and Quest, this spiritual successor to Thrasher sees you guiding a space eel across unusual landscapes and fighting bosses in a race for survival.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Wins Best VR/AR Game At The Game Awards
Beating other nominees Arizona Sunshine Remake, Metal: Hellsinger VR, Metro Awakening, and Asgard's Wrath 2 - which missed last year's cutoff due to its mid-December launch - Batman: Arkham Shadow is this year's winner for Best VR/AR Game at Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards. You may have spotted they misspelled Camouflaj's name, but this isn't the first time that's happened recently.
Henry Stockdale
Other Updates
After more stories? Here are some additional updates we've spotted across this week.
- Exercise Your Demons, a mixed reality fitness game, is now available on Quest.
- A Christmas-themed update is now live for Trombone Champ: Unflattened.
- VRChat issued an update on its plans for age verification.
- Spatial launched Analogue, an immersive design platform for Apple Vision Pro.
- Off road racing game EXOcars released the Winter Workshop Part 1 update.
- Builder Simulator VR launches next week on Steam.
- Sushi Ben and Dungeons of Eternity have both been delayed until Q1 2025 on Steam.
- Les Mills XR Dance launches on Pico on December 19.
- Stupid Cars is an arcade action strategy game coming to Quest next month.
- BRINK Traveler is coming to Pico, though the release date is unconfirmed.
- DigiGods - Medieval Update is now available on Quest.
- Roto VR, who recently released the Roto VR Explorer Chair, raised $3 million in a recent funding round.
- Undead Citadel is preparing a Quest 3 visual upgrade.
- VR horror game NOPE Challenge released a new hotfix that adjusts the enemy AI.
- Last Stand launched a Christmas update on Quest.
If you'd like to inform us about a VR game we should know about for this article or future updates, you can use our contact page or email tips@uploadvr.com with details.
