Virtual Reality Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Mojang has just killed support for Minecraft VR, an underrated but very flawed VR experience

Mojang has announced the discontinuation of VR support for Minecraft, with plans to cease support by March 2025 and a suspension of VR functionality that occurred in May. The transition away from VR has received mixed reactions, as the experience was often described as temperamental and underwhelming. Alternatives like Vivecraft, a fan-supported mod, allow players to enjoy Minecraft in VR on PCs, but come with challenges such as requiring additional setup and coordination among friends. The decision to discontinue support likely stems from Minecraft's evolving nature, which complicates development and leads to the obsolescence of older versions.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Mojang’s big Minecraft VR mistake

Mojang has officially discontinued VR support for the Bedrock version of Minecraft on PCs, ending a VR initiative that began in April 2016. The Gear VR version was initially available on devices like the Oculus Go and original Oculus Quest, but support for older games on the Oculus Quest 2 rendered these experiences obsolete. Modders, particularly through the Vivecraft mod, have filled the gap left by Mojang, with QuestCraft being a notable port for Meta Quest headsets. Despite Mojang's claims of lacking resources for VR, the company has over 55 million daily active players and a workforce of more than 600 employees, indicating financial stability. The demographics of the Meta Quest user base suggest a strong potential interest in Minecraft if officially supported. Recent collaborations between Meta and Microsoft hint at potential opportunities for an official Minecraft VR port, yet progress remains stagnant. The QuestCraft Discord server has 80,000 members, indicating significant interest in a VR version of Minecraft, which could attract hundreds of thousands of active users.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Minecraft officially kills support for VR

Microsoft has discontinued support for virtual reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) in Minecraft with the release of Bedrock Edition version 1.21.80. This decision is part of a broader strategy to phase out its MR technology. Players can still use the Vivecraft mod to play Minecraft on Oculus or Windows MR devices, but this requires the original PC Java version of the game. Microsoft announced that VR/MR support would end after March 2025 and assured players that updates for the non-VR version would continue, along with access to Marketplace purchases.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Minecraft’s VR support is now gone

Mojang has discontinued support for virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) devices in the Bedrock Edition 1.21.80 Update, following a previous announcement that support would cease after March 2025. The company cites limitations in maintaining support for these platforms. Players will continue to receive updates on PCs and retain access to previously purchased Marketplace content and world-building capabilities. Alternatives for VR experiences include mods like Vivecraft for the Java version on PC and QuestCraft for Meta Quest headsets.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

FILM SCENE | OPINION: Fan explains ‘Minecraft Movie’ tropes

The film industry is experiencing several key trends that are reshaping storytelling: 1. Filmmakers are prioritizing diverse narratives that reflect a broader spectrum of human experiences. 2. Technological advancements, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, are transforming the viewer's experience by creating immersive worlds. 3. The rise of streaming platforms is altering film distribution, democratizing access to films and allowing a wider variety of voices to be heard. These trends influence the types of films produced and shape audience expectations and engagement, fostering a new era of cinema characterized by creativity and experimentation.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Free GTA San Andreas Mod Adds Full PC VR Support to 2004 Classic

Modder Holydh has released the GTA: San Andreas Definitive Edition – 6DoF UEVR Plugin, which adds modded PC VR support to the Steam version of the game. This release follows the indefinite delay of the Quest version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR by Meta and Rockstar. The plugin features full first-person support, 6DOF motion controls, and camera improvements for gameplay and cutscenes. It uses an upgraded version of modder Praydog's UEVR injector, compatible only with the Steam version of San Andreas Definitive Edition, and not with versions from the Epic Games Store or Rockstar Launcher. Holydh believes the mod is safe from legal scrutiny as it is free and does not use Rockstar's proprietary files.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

How Gaming Is Regulated On Android’s App Store

The Google Play Store offers millions of mobile games and enforces strict regulations to ensure user safety and legal compliance. These regulations cover content policies, monetization practices, data protection, technical requirements, and regional compliance. Games must adhere to content policies that prohibit hate speech, excessive violence, and misrepresentation, and must be rated by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). Monetization strategies require developers to use Google’s payment system for in-app purchases and disclose pricing and refund policies. Gambling games must have the necessary licenses and disclose odds for loot boxes. Data privacy guidelines mandate clear communication about data collection and user consent. Technical standards require games to function well across devices and be free from security threats. Google employs automated and manual reviews to enforce compliance, with consequences for violations ranging from warnings to permanent bans. Regional compliance is necessary, particularly in areas with strict regulations like China and the EU.

BetaBeacon

April 10, 2025

Job Simulator went to Hell and I’m not even mad

Dimensional Double Shift is a new multiplayer VR game developed by Owlchemy Labs, known for Job Simulator. The game splits the workload between two main job types to finish duties within a shift, supporting up to four players. The game features different dimensions, such as Treeattle and Hexas, with comedic twists. Players are rewarded for creative thinking and combining items. The game has already surpassed 500,000 downloads and is the fastest-growing Owlchemy game.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Larian vet Mostovoy joins Aonic as head of games

Arthur Mostovoy has become the head of games at Aonic, overseeing the company's diverse portfolio. He previously worked at Larian, contributing to the success of Baldur's Gate 3, and has experience from Azur Interactive Games and Pixonic. Aonic co-founder Olliver Heins expressed excitement about Mostovoy's appointment, highlighting his valuable experience. Additionally, Aonic acquired virtual reality specialist nDreams for million in November 2023 to enhance its capabilities in the gaming industry.

BetaBeacon

April 7, 2025

My seven most anticipated Meta Quest games from the 2025 Ruff Talk VR showcase

- Vestiges: Fallen Tribes is a new interactive board game set in a unique sci-fi universe blending tribal desert style with card-battling minifigure concepts. - The game is playable in VR and on desktop PC via Steam, allowing for a wide range of players and styles. - It features several units controlled at a time with powers given by cards, supports PvP and PvE modes, and offers a solo campaign with diverse objectives and playable tribes. - The game is set to launch on April 24 on the Meta Quest platform.