VR gaming Archives

BetaBeacon

March 11, 2025

Best VR Games to Play on Android Phone

Android VR gaming has become popular due to inexpensive hardware and Cardboard headsets starting at just Rs 500. The Play Store offers plenty of inexpensive or no-cost games for users to enjoy virtual reality. Phones like the OnePlus 13 with OLED screens and 12GB of RAM can meet VR standards with 90 FPS. Gaze controls have been embraced by developers, and 5G technology has improved multiplayer gaming. Despite limitations like 60-minute battery life and entry-level graphics, Android VR gaming has made immersive play accessible to over 3 billion users worldwide.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Android XR apps will have camera permissions similar to Android phones

In December of last year, Google introduced Android XR, an extended reality operating system for virtual and mixed reality headsets, with a commercial launch planned for 2025. Samsung is developing a headset for this platform, called Project Moohan, and Google’s DeepMind subsidiary is creating a pair of smart glasses. Android XR app developers can request camera permissions similar to those on Android smartphones, allowing access to both world-facing and selfie cameras. Unlike Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro, which do not allow third-party camera access, Android XR will enable developers to access the living room feed through the headset's cameras to enhance mixed-reality applications. Developers can also request access to "Scene Understanding" features, including light estimation and advanced tracking capabilities for hand movements. Basic hand tracking functionalities will be available by default, with further details expected from Google soon.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Game Development Software Market to Grow by USD 70.7 Billion from 2025-2029, Driven by PC Games and Gaming Consoles Demand, with AI Impact

The global game development software market is projected to grow by USD 70.7 billion from 2025 to 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.8%. This growth is driven by increased demand for PC games and gaming consoles, as well as the rising popularity of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games. Key players in the market include Adobe Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Epic Games Inc., and Unity Technologies Inc. Emerging trends include cross-platform development and the adoption of DevOps practices. Challenges include the rise of open-source game development software, high development costs, technical compatibility issues, and the resource-intensive nature of continuous updates. The game engine segment is significant for game design, development, and testing. Technavio provides insights into market trends and opportunities in the gaming software sector.

BetaBeacon

February 7, 2025

The Meta Quest saw Wii-like growth in 2024, but that spells trouble for some games

Nintendo's shift to a Blue Ocean strategy with the Wii led to higher sales than competitors, attracting new gamers. Meta's Meta Quest platform is seeing a demographic shift, with more young users and a decrease in interest in AAA games. The platform is focusing more on free-to-play titles and social apps, leading to challenges for developers of big-budget games. Indie games are becoming more prominent on the platform, signaling a shift away from big-name titles.

BetaBeacon

February 3, 2025

VR games surge on Android as Meta Quest 3 drives 60% growth

In 2024, virtual reality games on Android saw a significant increase in popularity, with 13 million new users joining the platform, marking a 60% increase from the previous year.

AppWizard

December 19, 2024

PC VR wizard is gearing up to weave his magic on Ubisoft’s 2023 open-world adventure

Modder Luke Ross has transformed popular PC games into VR experiences, including titles like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Marvel's Spider-Man. His latest project is a VR mod for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, a game by Ubisoft. The game features visually stunning environments, and Ross noted that it looks incredible in VR and is resource-intensive. He plans to release an updated mod that will significantly enhance image quality without sacrificing performance. Access to his VR mod requires a subscription to his Patreon, starting at £8.50 per month, which includes a ZIP file with the VR framework and conversions of 26 PC games into VR.

BetaBeacon

December 12, 2024

Yes, you’ll be able to game on Samsung and Google’s Android XR headset

Google's Android XR platform supports gaming and controller APIs. Samsung's Project Moohan VR headset, running on Android XR, will ship with controllers for gaming.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Top trends in Android gaming apps: What’s shaping the UK market

The gaming industry, particularly in the realm of Android applications, is experiencing rapid growth in Great Britain as of 2024. The demand for real-money gaming apps has surged, with a growth rate exceeding 20% in the UK mobile casino app market. Users favor applications that offer ease of use, quick navigation, secure payment options, and personalized experiences through AI integration. Cryptocurrency payments are also on the rise, with many apps accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum, catering to crypto-savvy gamblers. Enhanced security measures, including encryption and two-factor authentication, are being implemented to protect user data. Social features, such as live leaderboards and multiplayer modes, are becoming more prominent, particularly among younger users. Additionally, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are beginning to be integrated into Android gaming, promising immersive experiences for users.

AppWizard

November 15, 2024

Best PC Games to Play (2025)

PC gaming is thriving with a wide variety of titles catering to different tastes. Notable PC games include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - Features deep role-playing mechanics and engaging storytelling with turn-based combat and character customization. 2. Elden Ring - An action RPG with challenging combat and an expansive open world, including a new DLC titled "Shadow of the Erdtree." 3. Cyberpunk 2077 - Set in a futuristic world, it combines action with narrative depth and character customization. 4. Red Dead Redemption 2 - Offers a richly detailed open world and compelling narrative in a Wild West setting. 5. Disco Elysium - A detective RPG focused on dialogue and decision-making within a unique world. 6. Hades II - A fast-paced roguelike where players battle through the underworld. 7. Half-Life: Alyx - A benchmark for VR gaming with a gripping narrative. 8. Doom Eternal - An intense first-person shooter against demonic forces. 9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - An epic RPG with an expansive world and intricate quests. 10. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Features strategic turn-based combat and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Top games currently on Steam include: 1. Counter-Strike 2 - 563,733 current players, 1,442,806 peak players. 2. Dota 2 - 312,401 current players, 797,599 peak players. 3. Banana - 212,617 current players, 483,731 peak players. 4. Call of Duty® - 208,292 current players, 313,313 peak players. 5. Rust - 90,821 current players, 182,603 peak players. 6. THRONE AND LIBERTY - 84,819 current players, 229,014 peak players. 7. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - 83,168 current players, 755,939 peak players. 8. Grand Theft Auto V - 61,381 current players, 172,551 peak players. 9. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 55,111 current players, 107,242 peak players. 10. Factorio - 48,876 current players, 118,166 peak players. PC Gamer’s Top 10 Games of 2024 include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 97% rating. 2. Disco Elysium. 3. Elden Ring. 4. Minecraft. 5. Persona 5 Royal. 6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. 7. Half-Life 2. 8. Balatro. 9. Stardew Valley. 10. Doom (1993). Popular multiplayer games include Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Apex Legends, and Among Us. Free-to-play games with critical acclaim are Dota 2, Fortnite, Path of Exile, and Warframe. Classic PC games include Half-Life 2, Portal, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Minecraft. Recommended games for low-spec hardware include Stardew Valley, Terraria, FTL: Faster Than Light, Celeste, and Undertale.

BetaBeacon

October 30, 2024

Meta’s leaked ‘Avalanche’ could bring back Oculus Rift games, but I want more

Meta is actively working on bringing cloud VR gaming to Meta Quest, with a leaked app called Avalanche appearing briefly on the Quest Store. The company intends to launch cloud streaming on Quest when it's consumer-ready, enabling higher graphics than the Snapdragon XR2 on the Quest 3 and Quest 3S can natively handle. The challenges ahead include dealing with latency and high ping that comes with cloud streaming. The author dreams of a partnership between Meta and Microsoft to stream VR ports of popular first-person titles on Quest, such as Minecraft, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Forza, and Halo.