Virtual Reality Archives

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

What to expect from Valve in 2026: The return of the Steam Machine, a new VR headset, and more Half-Life 3 rumors

Valve is set to reintroduce the Steam Machine, aiming to provide a ready-built PC gaming experience. The company is also developing new virtual reality headsets to enhance gaming immersion. Additionally, there is speculation about the release of Half-Life 3, which could generate excitement among fans.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Steam Makes 2025 Game Free To Keep For Limited Time

Key trends shaping the future of the gaming industry include: - Cloud Gaming: Revolutionizes access to games without high-end hardware. - Cross-Platform Play: Enables gamers to play with friends across different devices. - Esports Growth: Major tournaments attract millions of viewers and sponsorship deals. - Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Enhance gameplay experiences. Businesses are employing strategies such as: - Personalized Experiences: Tailoring content to individual preferences. - Community Building: Fostering belonging among gamers through various platforms. - Subscription Models: Offering access to a library of games for a fixed monthly fee.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Asus’ leaked new gaming glasses let you carry a 171-inch, 240Hz display in your pocket

Asus is introducing the Asus ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses, which are the first-ever 240Hz gaming glasses, providing a viewing experience equivalent to a 171-inch screen from four meters away. They feature a vision-filling display, portable design, and a higher refresh rate with a distinctive ROG aesthetic. The glasses include "optical engines" for simultaneous real-world and projected display experiences, with outer lenses that use electrochromic technology to enhance contrast and image quality. Each arm has a Bose speaker system for audio without earbuds, and connectivity options include a USB cable, two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and two USB-C inputs. They have a 57-degree field of view, covering up to 95% of the focused viewing area, but the resolution is capped at 1080p. A now-removed webpage suggested a launch in the first half of 2026, with a price range similar to current Xreal glasses, which start at 9.

BetaBeacon

January 3, 2026

What’s Next for Augmented Reality and Casino Games on Android?

- AR in casino gaming refers to digital elements appearing in a real environment, not replacing it - AR casino games on Android rely on ARCore and engines like Unity or Unreal for stability - Early AR casino experiences on Android are about curiosity and low commitment - Most AR casino projects on Android focus on adjusting existing games rather than introducing new concepts - Benefits for players include familiar games feeling different and enhanced social features - Challenges for AR casino gaming on Android include device performance variations and legal considerations - Tips for developers include prioritizing reliability over visual ambition and testing across a broad range of hardware - Tips for players include preparing their environment with good lighting and keeping ARCore and system software up to date - Progress in Android-based AR casino games is expected to come from slow improvements rather than sudden leaps - Wearable AR devices and hands-free interaction through movement and voice capabilities are expected to be the future of AR casino gaming on Android

Winsage

January 2, 2026

Windows 11 surges among PC gamers on Steam as Linux stalls — the open-source OS mildly loses momentum after a brief uptick

In December 2025, Linux's install base on Steam saw a slight decline of 0.01%, following a modest increase of 0.15% in November. In contrast, Windows 11 experienced a significant growth of 5.24%, attributed to the impending end-of-life for Windows 10 and new users migrating from devices like the Xbox Ally. All versions of Windows collectively accounted for 94.95% of Steam users in December, up from 94.79% in November, while Linux's share decreased from 3.20% to 3.19%. Fedora gained 0.05% in user numbers. Systems with 32GB of RAM increased by 2.11%, while those with 16GB declined by 0.80%. The NVIDIA RTX 3060 became the most widely used GPU on Steam, surpassing the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Meta's Quest 3 saw a user share increase of 24.42%, now 2% ahead of the Quest 2.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

3 Free PC Games Includes Tetris Dupe, Steam to Thank

The gaming industry is experiencing significant developments, with key trends emerging such as cross-platform play, cloud gaming, and the use of virtual and augmented reality. These trends are enhancing user experiences and fostering a more inclusive community. Additionally, the integration of social features within games is encouraging player interaction. The market is characterized by competition among established companies and newcomers, with players increasingly valuing quality content, community engagement, and accessibility. Businesses must adapt to these shifting consumer preferences and leverage data analytics to stay competitive. The industry is expected to continue growing, with companies that focus on user experience and technological advancements likely to succeed.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Sorry, Holiday Shoppers. Valve Just Axed the Cheapest Steam Deck Model

Valve has announced the discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model, which has been the most affordable option in the Steam Deck lineup, priced at 9. Once sold out, it will no longer be available. Remaining stock is depleted on Valve’s official website in the U.S., but some units may still be found in the UK and Australia, as well as through third-party retailers or the secondhand market. The next available models are the 512GB OLED Steam Deck priced at 9 and the 1TB OLED version priced at 9, which offer enhanced features. Additionally, Valve is reviving the Steam Machine, a mini PC for gaming, and has introduced the Steam Frame headset for wireless virtual reality gaming.

AppWizard

December 16, 2025

Asymmetrical Co-op Game ‘VR Giants’ Comes to Quest with PC Cross-play & Free Friend Pass

Asymmetric virtual reality game VR Giants allows cooperative gameplay between VR and non-VR players using a 'Friend Pass' feature, enabling a non-VR friend to join without additional cost. Initially released on Steam, it is now in Early Access on Quest and features cross-play functionality. Players take on distinct roles, with the VR participant as Goliath and the non-VR partner as David, navigating 23 levels over approximately eight hours of co-op gameplay.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Google is making playing PC games on Android XR as easy as opening an app

Google has introduced PC Connect, a feature that allows users to stream their computer's display to the Android XR headset, facilitating seamless connectivity between multiple computers. This feature enhances user experience by simplifying access to media and applications directly through the headset. Users can launch the PC Connect app from the XR headset, enabling easy access to PC-hosted games and applications. Additionally, users can utilize Google's AI assistant, Gemini, while interacting with PC content, as it can observe the PC display and respond to queries. Beta access to PC Connect has begun for Galaxy XR headset owners.

BetaBeacon

December 2, 2025

Valve is working on a “Lepton” Android compatibility layer for Linux and VR — Could we ever see Android games running on the Steam Deck and its Steam Machine PC?

Valve is developing an Android compatibility layer called Lepton, potentially allowing users to run Android apps on devices like the upcoming Steam Machine desktop PC. The integration of Lepton with the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset could enable users to run Android apps in virtual reality. The expansion towards Android compatibility is supported by recent additions of 'androidarm64' references in Valve's Steamworks SDK.