‘Brass Tactics’ Preorders Now Open, Free-to-Play Version to Launch in February

Tabletop real-time strategy game Brass Tactics, which launches on February 22nd, is now available for preorder on the Oculus Store at a promotional price of $24.99. A free-to-play version of the game called Brass Tactics Arena is also open for Early Access registration, and is slated for a February release.

As explained in a recent post on the official Oculus blog, preordering Brass Tactics saves $15 from the regular $39.99 purchase price. Brass Tactics Arena is due to launch a week before the full game, on February 15th.

A new post on developer Hidden Path’s blog explains the free-to-play Brass Tactics Arena will feature “unlimited cooperative, competitive, and vs AI play on a single hand-detailed map,” whereas the full version of Brass Tactics will feature “20+ uniquely crafted, hand-detailed maps” and a “6+ hour story campaign.” Registration for Early Access to Brass Tactics Arena, which will go into Early Access at a still indeterminate time in February, is now open via this web page.

Brass Tactics is a highly-anticipated VR title from the creator of RTS classic Age of Empires II (1999). Hidden Path aims to bring the spirit of Age of Empires to VR by presenting it in the style of the opening credits of Game of Thrones. We took an early hands-on with the title at GDC last year.

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‘Vive Video’ Gets 2.0 Update, Partners with Vimeo to Offer Curated Video Selection

HTC Creative Labs’s free native VR video player has received an upgrade with a new browser interface. The team has also partnered with Vimeo, offering a curated selection of streamable VR video content.

Explained in a post on the official Vive blog, which also covers the major CES announcements of the Vive Pro and Wireless Adaptor, Vive Video’s 2.0 update aims to solve “the discovery and acquisition problem for VR video content by delivering a large catalog of high quality streaming video directly to VR headsets.”

New features and UI upgrades include a mini-browser interface that allows catalog access without leaving the current video, subtitle and audio track selection for local videos, and the ability to change the viewing environment.

In addition, Vive Video has a new partnership with open video platform Vimeo, offering a “curated selection of Vimeo content will be made available to browse and view in a highly optimized native VR experiences within Vive Video-compatible headsets.”

“Whether we’re building our own tools in-house or partnering with other innovative platforms, Vimeo is committed to the future of storytelling and finding new ways to support our creators,” said Christophe Gillet, GM of Vimeo’s Creator Platform. “Not only does the integration with Vive Video showcase some of Vimeo’s highest quality, human-curated content within the VR experience, but it also gives those creators an exciting new way to expose their work and engage with audiences.”

Vive Video launched a year ago with support for 2D, 3D, 180˚ and 360˚ content, and is currently available for the Vive headset via Viveport or Steam, and for Google Daydream devices via the Daydream Store. It is also coming to Vive Wave, HTC’s open platform and toolset for mobile VR devices.

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CES 2018 ‘Day 3’ Roundup – No ‘Knuckles’ for Vive Pro, Tactical Haptics’ New Controller, Viveport VR Previews, & TPCast for Windows VR

Welcome to our third day of CES 2018 coverage: Viveport gets VR previews, we go hands-on with Tactical Haptics’ latest prototype, Vive Pro to come with ‘refreshed’ controllers but not ‘Knuckles’, and TPCast brings wireless tech to Windows Mixed Reality.

Viveport Receives Radical Redesign

image courtesy HTC

Described as the “biggest upgrade to the Viveport customer experience since launch,” HTC is looking to offer more VR-centric browsing in their own software store. This is enabled with a new ‘home’ area that serves as a new launchpad for content, which supports new “VR previews”. These interactive 3D environments aim to make content discovery more immersive and more representative of the product. The real-time previews aren’t intended to be full demos, just small tasters designed to load quickly. The new Viveport is currently in early access.

Hands-on with Tactical Haptics’ Latest ‘Reactive Grip’ Controller

Photo by Road to VR

We check out the latest prototype from Tactical Haptics, a pair of motion controllers that can combine together in various orientations on-the-fly via magnetic sockets. The support for multiple dual-handed ‘poses’ adds another interesting feature to the Tactical Haptics hardware, which uses a unique feedback system that applies friction and shear forces to the hand to create various tactile illusions. The prototype being shown at CES has sockets that allow for several alternative poses that the company is testing for viability; the final form is likely to use a subset of these.

HTC’s Vive Pro isn’t Shipping with ‘Knuckles’ controllers

Image courtesy HTC

HTC has confirmed to Road to VR that the Vive Pro will not launch with Valve’s ‘Knuckles’ controllers, which are seen as potential ‘next-gen’ motion controllers for SteamVR. Following the reveal of their new flagship VR headset at CES this week, there was some hope that the controllers might receive improvements. The company says the Vive Pro will indeed be available with ‘refreshed’ wand controllers, using the SteamVR Tracking 2.0 sensors, later this year, but they won’t be ‘Knuckles’.

TPCast Coming to Windows Mixed Reality

Photo by Road to VR

TPCast have announced plans to bring their wireless technology to Windows ‘Mixed Reality’ devices, in the form of an OEM reference design that can support all WMR headsets. TPCast aims to transition to an OEM business model, licensing their patented wireless technology to other HMD manufacturers. TPCast says their multiple-channel 60GHz solution meets the extra data transmission demands of WMR, which uses an ‘inside-out’ tracking system.

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Check back tomorrow for our ‘day four’ round-up off all things augmented and virtual at this year’s CES.

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TPCast Aims to Bring up to 8K Resolution with New 2.0 Wireless VR Solution

Following reveals of TPCast Plus and TPCast for Windows Mixed Reality, the wireless VR specialists TPCast have also announced their “next-generation” technologies, called TPCast 2.0. The company claims their improved system can ‘easily adapt’ to VR headsets as high as 8K resolution, while reducing the latency to 1ms.

Despite HTC’s announcement of an official Vive Wireless Adaptor that supports both Vive and Vive Pro systems, TPCast refuse to have their CES thunder stolen, announcing a “next-generation” wireless VR solution adaptable for “any headset” up to 8K resolution. No launch window or pricing estimates were provided.

According to the press release, TPCast 2.0 employs a “new generation ultra-low latency codec technology and an upgraded TPCast ​​real-time data control protocol.”  The new codec is capable of a 50:1 compression ratio, which “significantly reduces the bandwidth required for video data transmission while bounding the latency to 1ms.”

Image courtesy TPCast

TPCast 2.0 is said to benefit from scalability, “making it easy to adapt to any headset including 3K, 4K, and 8K video resolution,” and has the capability to “preserve the user experience compared to a wired connection.” The statement also claims TPCast’s proprietary technology can deliver a “commercial-grade VR experience.”

“The new TPCast ​​2.0 announcement is another milestone for TPCast’s innovation,” said TPCast CEO, Michael Liu. “As a leader in the Global Wireless VR space, TPCast is committed to moving the industry forward with its technological advancements. TPCast 2.0 has the highest performance, the broadest scalability, and the most mature product capabilities. (Its) support for a full range of mainstream headsets in various deployment ranges allows TPCast to continue with its vision of unleashing the VR world.”

With the recent announcement of 5G cloud VR rendering technology, combined with the new TPCast 2.0 technologies, the company claims to be the first wireless VR provider to support “short, mid and long range VR demands in multi-user environments,” through the use of WiGig or 802.11ay for short range, Wi-Fi or 802.11ax for mid range, and 5G / 4.5G / FTTH for long distance.

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TPCast to Support Windows Mixed Reality with ‘Universal’ Wireless VR Module

Alongside its reveal of the TPCast Plus product range, the company also announced plans to bring their wireless technology to Windows ‘Mixed Reality’ VR devices. With the intention to transition into an OEM business model, TPCast is creating a reference design to support all WMR headset manufacturers.

As explained in the official press release, TPCast wants to “accelerate the development” and integration of wireless adapters into Windows Mixed Reality HMDs by “creating a reference design for the VR module in order to support all VR HMD OEMs and manufacturers.” TPCast intends to licence their patented wireless technology by offering an OEM reference design.

“We are delighted that TPCast introduces this powerful platform design in the field of Wireless VR,” says Michael Liu, CEO of TPCast. “This platform possesses high video quality and low latency performance like the other TPCast products, and will support the current WMR and other 3K/4K resolution HMDs.”

SEE ALSO
HTC's Vive Wireless Adaptor to Support Both Vive and Vive Pro at Launch

TPCast notes that the self-contained, ‘inside-out’ tracking technology employed by all Windows Mixed Reality headsets adds extra demands on data transmission, suggesting that a single wireless channel is unable to carry both video and tracking data. Claiming to deliver the “highest data bandwidth in the VR industry,” TPCast says their multiple-channel 60GHz solution overcomes the problem.

It appears that the WMR wireless VR module will match the improvements found on the upcoming TPCast Plus system for Vive and Rift, with a simple installation process that is “plug-and-play” and “router-free”.

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CES 2018 ‘Day 2’ Roundup – Pimax ‘8K’ Impressions, Pico Neo, ‘Blade Runner’ 6DoF Game, ‘Electronauts’ Hands-on

With day two of CES 2018 behind us, we take a look at some of the bigger news to come out of the show in today’s news roundup: Pimax 8K impressions, Pico Neo brings Viveport mobile out of China, Blade Runner: Revelations to include 6DoF tracking for Daydream, and a hands-on with Survios’ upcoming music tool Electronauts.

Pimax ‘8K’ Hands-on

We take a fresh look at the progress of the Pimax 8K, which was expected to ship this month, but was recently delayed. While its “8K” name is questionable, the promise of high resolution panels and a wide field of view has generated significant interest, having recently confirmed a $15 million post-Kickstarter investment round. Road to VR tested the latest Pimax 8K prototype at CES 2018, and came away with mixed feelings. The field of view continues to impress, but issues remain in the areas of optics, displays, tracking, and ergonomics.

Pico Neo to Bring Viveport Mobile out of China

Photo by Road to VR

The 6DoF Pico Neo VR headset and 6DoF controllers are coming to the West, and the Chinese company has announced its intentions to ship the system globally with Viveport mobile, HTC’s mobile app store that once looked like it might be a China-only operation. Road to VR took a brief hands-on with the Pico Neo, noting good ergonomics and visual clarity, but also some tracking issues with both the headset and controllers.\

‘Blade Runner: Revelations’ Coming to Daydream with 6DoF Tracking

image courtesy Seismic Games

Announced alongside the Lenovo Mirage Solo standalone Daydream VR headset, which features WorldSense, Google’s SLAM-based positional tracking technology, Blade Runner: Revelations is the first Daydream app with confirmed support for 6DoF. The new adventure game will be playable on all Daydream devices, but is said to be “best experienced” on the Mirage Solo due to the enhanced gameplay and immersion that comes from positional tracking.

‘Electronauts’ Makes You Suck Less at Music Creation

image courtesy Survios

Road to VR’s self-entitled ‘non-musician’ Scott Hayden checks out Electronauts, and comes away impressed with the ‘good-sounding’ music he generated using the streamlined creation tools. The system caters to beginners with the magic of quantization, essentially a musical autocorrect, which ensures beat-matched sounds. Electronauts is the latest project from Survios, the studio behind action game Raw Data (2017), and is due to launch this year.

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Check back tomorrow for our ‘day three’ round-up off all things augmented and virtual at this year’s CES.

The post CES 2018 ‘Day 2’ Roundup – Pimax ‘8K’ Impressions, Pico Neo, ‘Blade Runner’ 6DoF Game, ‘Electronauts’ Hands-on appeared first on Road to VR.

‘Blade Runner: Revelations’ for Daydream to Launch with 6DoF Tracking Support

A new adventure set in the Blade Runner universe from developer Seismic Games is coming soon to the Daydream mobile VR platform. The game is optimised for WorldSense, a new six degrees of freedom (6DoF) positional tracking system developed by Google, found in upcoming mobile devices such as the standalone Lenovo Mirage Solo.

Announced at Google I/O last year, the Mirage Solo is the first standalone mobile VR headset using the Daydream VR platform. Google recently revealed that it is also the first device to feature WorldSense, their new self-contained tracking system based on “years of investment in simultaneous localization and mapping,” that claims to deliver “PC-quality positional tracking.”

Alcon Media Group has partnered with Google and Lenovo to bring Blade Runner: Revelations to Daydream. Seismic Games, who acquired mixed reality specialists Grue Games in late 2016, have a history with major IP such as Skylanders and Call of Duty. The studio teased a potential Blade Runner connection in September.

image courtesy Lenovo

In this new narrative adventure, players assume the role of Harper, a seasoned Blade Runner who “unravels a twisted replicant plot that threatens the delicate balance of Los Angeles in 2023.” According to the press release, players will “search for evidence with the help of their flying spinner, deadly blaster, and esper image reconstruction to try to solve the mystery in an immersive VR environment.”

While the game will work on all Daydream devices, it is said to be “best experienced” on the Mirage Solo. WorldSense support means that players can “duck, dodge and lean,” as well as stepping “backwards, forwards, and side to side, unlocking new gameplay elements that bring the world of Blade Runner to life.”

“We’re working closely with developers to bring new experiences to the platform that take advantage of all these new technologies,” writes Clay Bavor, Google’s Vice President of Virtual and Augmented Reality. Blade Runner: Revelations is the first example of Google’s partnerships with developers to bring 6DoF-optimised games to mobile VR.

“It’s the most immersive way to access Daydream,” he says, noting the headset’s wide field of view (110°) and “advanced blur-free display”. The Lenovo Mirage Solo is due to launch in Q2 2018.

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In Vegas? HTC is Offering Public Vive Pro Demos Through Thursday

The official HTC Vive Twitter account has posted a reminder of their public invitation to anyone looking for a Vive Pro demo, with a “daily open house” from 4–6pm through Thursday at the Wynn’s Alsace Ballroom. The Vive Pro was first revealed to press at the Wynn on Monday; check out our hands-on first impressions here.

With various improvements to the standard Vive design including a higher resolution display, reworked ergonomics, and dual front-facing cameras, the Vive Pro is certainly worth a try, if you happen to be near the event.

If you swing by HTC’s Vive Pro open house you’ll be able to try the headset without a badge to CES. If you happen to also be attending the show (and have a badge), VR can be found all across the CES showfloor. Although not every demo station at CES features a Vive Pro, there are several booths with the new hardware. A post on the official Vive blog highlights what’s on offer, including Nvidia, who are “showcasing their Holodeck content with an automotive partner, powered by Vive Pro,” and in their demo bays in the GeForce Gaming Zone. Dassault Systèmes, the company behind many industrial CAD software apps, are also showing their ‘3DEXPERIENCE’ platform on the Vive Pro.

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CES 2018 Day 1 Roundup – Vive Pro Hands-on, Vive Wireless Adaptor, Lenovo Mirage Solo & More

Following many announcements on ‘day zero’ of CES, we’ve rounded up some of the most important bits from ‘day 1’ of our CES 2018 coverage: hands-on with the Vive Pro, Google introduces new VR180 cameras, Lenovo Mirage Solo detailed, and HTC’s official wireless adapter for Vive and Vive Pro.

Hands-on with the Vive Pro

Photo by Road to VR

Read our detailed hands-on impressions of HTC’s new flagship VR headset. The headline figure is the higher 2880×1600 resolution, but the Pro features several notable improvements to the standard design: a new strap system with integrated headphones that improves on the optional Deluxe Audio Strap, various ergonomic and ease-of-use adjustments, dual front-facing cameras, and support for Steam VR Tracking 2.0.

Google introduces ‘VR180’ 3D consumer cameras

image courtesy Lenovo

Google unveiled a pair of point-and-shoot stereoscopic 180° cameras from Lenovo and YI Technology coming in the spring. A third VR180 camera from LG is due later in the year. Half-spherical image and video content is a growing market, as it offers some advantages over fully spherical capture. 180° capture tends to produce higher quality results at lower data rates, and users are familiar with being able to choose their shooting angle.

Standalone Daydream headset from Lenovo

image courtesy Lenovo

Due to launch in Q2 2018, the Lenovo Mirage Solo is the first standalone headset designed for Google’s Daydream VR platform. Featuring a 110° field of view and a 2560×1440, 75Hz display, the Mirage Solo is positioning itself at the high end of mobile VR, with Google’s Clay Bavor describing it as “the most immersive way to access Daydream.” Perhaps most significantly, it also introduces WorldSense, Google’s SLAM-based, self-contained 6DoF tracking system, which claims to enable “PC-quality positional tracking.”

HTC’s Official Wireless Adaptor

Photo by Road to VR

The official Wireless Adaptor for Vive is an optional accessory coming in the summer that cuts the cord on high-end VR. Revealed at HTC’s press event, the device will support both the Vive and Vive Pro systems. According to the press release, the adaptor will be “the first to market with a truly wireless VR headset integration for both Vive and Vive Pro.” The system uses 60GHz Intel WiGig technology and the DisplayLink XR codec.

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Check back tomorrow for our ‘day two’ round-up off all things augmented and virtual at this year’s CES.

The post CES 2018 Day 1 Roundup – Vive Pro Hands-on, Vive Wireless Adaptor, Lenovo Mirage Solo & More appeared first on Road to VR.

HTC’s Vive Wireless Adaptor to Support Both Vive and Vive Pro at Launch

During HTC’s pre-CES event where the new flagship Vive Pro headset was revealed, the company also announced an official Wireless Adaptor for Vive. The optional accessory will allow for a tether-free VR experience, and will support both the Vive and Vive Pro systems when it launches in the summer.

As mentioned during our liveblog, the Vive Wireless Adaptor uses Intel’s WiGig technology and is “optimised for low latency.” Much like the third-party solutions we’ve seen from DisplayLink and TPCast, the official adapter operates in the 60GHz band in order to handle the significant data throughput requirements. Unfortunately, no battery estimates or pricing was announced.

According to the press release, the Vive Wireless Adaptor will be “the first to market with a truly wireless VR headset integration for both Vive and Vive Pro.” The technology could be using the DisplayLink XR codec that was demonstrated at Computex last year as a collaboration between HTC and Intel, but that hasn’t been made clear in the latest communication.

It is also unclear whether the TPCast Plus solution also announced at CES will support the Vive Pro.

“Wireless VR has been on nearly every VR user’s wishlist since the technology was unveiled,” said Frank Soqui, General Manager Virtual Reality Group at Intel Corporation. “By collaborating with HTC to commercialize Intel’s WiGig technology, we will guarantee that wireless VR meets the most discerning quality bar for home users and business VR customers.”

We have feet on the ground at this year’s CES, so make sure to check back soon, as we’ll be bringing you a detailed hands-on of the Vive Wireless Adaptor along with all things virtual and augmented to come from the show.

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