Category: Daydream View

Posted on

Digital Domain Launches VR App for Original Content and Livestreamed 360 Events

Visual effects and immersive experience creator Digital Domain has announced the launch of its first virtual reality (VR) app, Digital Domain VR, allowing users to VR fans to checkout its library of work as well as offering livestream 360-degree events.

The new Digital Domain app includes a wide array immersive content created in-house by the company, covering a mixture of genres, styles and formats. Alongside Digital Domain’s own content the app will also feature original works from its entertainment industry partners.

Digital Domain VR App_1

Whether you enjoy animation, short films, and documentaries or livestreamed and VOD content from musical, political and entertainment events, there’s something to suit most tastes. There will be trailers for original immersive content developed by Digital Domain’s Content Studio team—including its new Monkey King series, Storm and Micro Giants. Or visit new destinations with Digital Domain’s Teleport series, heading to Africa, Dubai, Hong Kong, Iceland, Istanbul, New Zealand and more.

“In 2016 we saw significant advances in devices for virtual reality experiences,” said Amit Chopra, Executive Director and CEO of North America, Digital Domain. “From mobile phones to room-scale VR systems, there are more ways than ever to explore virtual reality. However, there’s now a tremendous demand for new and engaging VR content for the audiences using those devices. At Digital Domain, we’re leveraging our visual effects artistry and technology to produce VR storytelling experiences that inspire audiences. Our new app is our platform for sharing our livestreamed and curated VR experiences with the world.”

Digital Domain’s app is freely available for Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, and for iOS and Android smartphones using Google Cardboard.

Back in March Digital Domain announced the purchase of Sprawly, a company that specialises in helping those with no coding experience build VR content.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Digital Domain, reporting back with the latest updates.

Posted on

Killswitch Engage’s House of Blues Concert to be Broadcast in VR

Fans of American metalcore band Killswitch Engage will want to grab a virtual reality (VR) headset next Monday 17th April as NextVR and Live Nation will be livestreaming the band’s concert from the House of Blues.

Providing a front row seat to experience the free exclusive, NextVR and Live Nation will allow fans to get up close to the renowned band which has forged a musical foundation steeped in classic heavy metal, melodic death metal, and early punk/hardcore.

Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage has headlined on celebrated tours like Ozzfest, Vans Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos and Rockstar Mayhem, as well as countless international festivals.

The concert will be broadcast from multiple vantage points including the front row and on-stage to provide viewers the best access for the event.

The live immersive broadcast will be globally available for free through the NextVR app. All you’ll need is a Google Daydream View or Samsung Gear VR headset, along with a compatible smartphone.

It’ll be a late one for fans with the Killswitch Engage concert at the Houston, Texas-based House of Blues taking place on Monday 17th April starting at 11pm EST (4am GMT).

This continues NextVR and Live Nation’s collaborative efforts to bring live immersive music to viewers around the world. Last month saw the companies broadcast Galactic and Robert Randolph & The Family Band from the same venue, and last week NextVR revealed it would be filming the L.A. Zoo’s 50th Anniversary Beastly Ball featuring Slash.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of NextVR and Live Nation, reporting back with the latest concert announcements.

Posted on

LA Zoo’s 50th Beastly Ball featuring Slash Will be Broadcast in VR

NextVR is synonymous with immersive sports broadcasting, regularly streaming NBA matches and other sports. But it also does other live events having partnered with Live Nation in 2016. Next month the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) will hold its annual Beastly Ball at the L.A. Zoo, and to celebrate its 50th anniversary, legendary guitarist and wildlife advocate Slash will be performing in an exclusive live concert backed by Jimmy Vivino and The Basic Cable Band, all filmed in 360-degrees.

Slash will perform a mix of blues and R&B, joined by special guests Jack Black, Grace Potter and Bernard Fowler.  The Ball will honour Wallis Annenberg and The Annenberg Foundation and bestow the Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award on the National Geographic Society, represented by Gary E. Knell, President and CEO.

NextVR-Live Nation header_SLASH

As part of NextVR and Live Nation’s partnership with Citi, you’ll be able to watch the entire concert using either a Google Daydream or Samsung Gear VR virtual reality (VR) headset. In addition to the show, you will also have access to “Backstage with Citi” – getting behind the scenes footage as Slash prepares to take the stage – simply download the NextVR app for the appropriate device.

“I’m honoured and proud to be a part of the L.A. Zoo’s 50th Anniversary Beastly Ball,” said Slash in a statement  “It’s going to be the biggest yet, and I’m really looking forward to jamming live with some good friends.”

“As the Zoo celebrates 50 years of leadership in exceptional animal welfare and its role as a key player in major conservation projects that protect animal species from extinction, GLAZA’s Board of Trustees looks ahead to the next 50 by building upon five decades of major support for the Zoo,” added GLAZA President Connie Morga. “Our goal to raise $3 million at the Beastly Ball to establish SCAN’s Curator of Conservation position and fund it for the future will, we believe, profoundly impact animal conservation, which is essential to the future of the Zoo and to the planet.”

LA Zoo’s 50th Beastly Ball will take place on Saturday, 20th May, 2017, at 6 pm PT (2am GMT).

For the latest NextVR news and updates, keep reading VRFocus.

Posted on

Google Adds Daydream Newsletter and Controller Battery Indicator in Latest Update

This week Google has released several new updates for its Daydream View head-mounted display (HMD). The free additions will help to streamline the device’s use for owners whilst keeping them informed of the latest offers.

The major feature added in the update is for the Daydream controller. A battery indicator is now available so users will be able to quickly see if it needs changing prior to starting any content. The indicator will be viewable whilst in Daydream Home, Quick settings or Play Store in virtual reality (VR). All you need to do is look at the controller to bring up the information.

Daydream View and Controller

Google has now added a Daydream newsletter option, allowing owners to stay up to date with the latest news, offers and more. This is entirely optional, simply go into settings and signup.

Additionally, users can now choose whether to show notifications in VR by toggling the option in Quick settings. Small changes have also been made improving the performance and reliability of Daydream.

When Google launched Daydream last year the only smartphone compatible with the headset was the company’s own Pixel. Now there’s a lot more options available to consumers with the Huawei Mate Pro, Porsche Design Mate 9, XTE’s Axon 7 and the Motorola Moto Z, Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid available.

Daydream has seen growing support during 2017 with Unity now natively supporting the platform. Experiences such as Unimersiv, Vendetta Online and The Other Room have all recently launched, making the headset a more enticing prospect for those with compatible smartphones.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Daydream, reporting back with the latest updates.

Posted on

Cyber FPS EMULATED: Pylons Hits Google Cardboard and Daydream

Indie developers have been the life blood of the virtual reality (VR) industry, willing to take risks on the fledgling industry to help it grow. This week sees Southpac, a New Zealand-based studio launch its first VR title arriving for Google Cardboard a Daydream View, EMULATED: Pylons.

The videogame is a cyber infused first-person shooter (FPS) which: ‘is set in future when all humanity exists in a cyberspace. As an operative you are assigned a mission to capture communication pylons in a city infested by Vektorbots,’ the official description reads.

Emulated Pylons Screenshot 2

Southpac has created its own in-house game engine for the project rather than using middleware like Unity or Unreal Engine. This has allowed it to create a system where players can walk about in VR without feeling any nausea it claims.

Whether gamers choose to play on Cardboard or Daydream, EMULATED: Pylons will need a Bluetooth controller. The Daydream controller that comes supplied with the headset isn’t supported.

Daydream has seen growing support during 2017 with Unity now natively supporting the platform. Experiences such as Unimersiv, Vendetta Online and The Other Room have all recently launched, making the headset a more enticing prospect for those with compatible smartphones.

EMULATED: Pylons is free to download form the Google Play store now. For the latest Google Daydream updates, keep reading VRFocus.

Posted on

Unity 5.6 Launches Bringing Native Google VR Support for Cardboard and Daydream

Today Unity Technologies launched Unity 5.6, bringing to a close the Unity 5 cycle. The new version brings lots of new features, for virtual reality (VR) there’s now native support for Google VR.

With Google VR support on Unity 5.6, developers will find it easier to publish to Google Cardboard and Google Daydream.

Daydream View Headset

In its blog posting Unity said: “To get optimal performance and latency from the Daydream platform, we integrated with the Google VR NDK to leverage the platform’s asynchronous reprojection and VR performance modes.
“Compared to the Daydream support in the Google VR SDK for Unity released at Google I/O, we now provide a more streamlined workflow, significant optimizations and reduced latency. No prefabs, scripts or manual manifest modifications are required to get started–simply enable VR and add Daydream as a targeted platform to begin making your own virtual worlds.

“We have also made it easy to switch in and out of VR mode so that your applications can easily expand to the full Google VR audience and target Google Cardboard with full native support. Applications which target Cardboard will work on older devices so you can reach as many users as possible. At this time, Cardboard support is exclusive to Android with iOS Cardboard support coming soon.”

Earlier this month Unity also teased details of Unity 2017 beta, saying it would be geared towards non-programmers, with a range of features designed for artists and designers. The beta is due for release next month.

Unity is one of the most popular middleware development engines, utilised by developer for VR and non-VR work the world over. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Unity, reporting back with the latest announcements.

Posted on

It’s time to go Raving as Google Collaborates with Boiler Room on ‘VR dancefloors: Techno in Berlin’

In October 2016 a new virtual reality (VR) content platform called Inception was announced with the aim to become a leading destination for consumers. As part of the unveiling Inception partnered with Boiler Room to create a dedicated channel for live music events. Today Google Pixel has announced ‘VR Dancefloors: Techno in Berlin’ which is available through Inception.

The experience, designed to be enjoyed on Google Pixel, or any other Daydream-ready smartphone, will bring Berlin’s club culture to those at home.

GoogleDaydream-Snow_Slate_Crimson

Viewers will be transported into the middle of a cast of 150 dedicated ravers where they can ‘choose your own adventure’. They’ll be able to hang out with artists, crash the dancefloor, uncover the dark room, wander between audio-visual installations, and explore hidden spaces of Berlin’s underground club culture.

‘VR Dancefloors: Techno in Berlin’ is 15 minutes long and features a live-electronics set by Berliners FJAAK, who played from a range of analogue hardware.

The experience is available for free on Daydream through the Inception app. The app is also available to download for Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift.

Checkout the preview video below, and for the latest Google news, keep reading VRFocus.

Posted on

Google Confirms Huawei Mate 9 Pro Now Daydream Ready

Google Confirms Huawei Mate 9 Pro Will Be Daydream Ready

Update: Google today announced that both the Huaewi Mate 9 Pro and Mate 9 are Daydream-ready devices via an Android update. No word yet on the upcoming Huawei-made Daydream headset, though.

Original story: Daydream’s launch yesterday was just the first step in a long journey. The first headset, Daydream View, works with the first Daydream-ready phones, Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL, but other companies will be bringing new devices to the ecosystem over time. It looks like Huawei could be the next to do so.

Earlier this month the China-based smartphone maker revealed its latest handsets, the Mate 9 and enhanced Mate 9 Pro. The latter of these two devices had already been rumored to support Daydream, but Google’s VP of VR, Clay Bavor, just confirmed it. Speaking at Recode’s An Evening With Code Mobile event this week, Bavor stated that the Mate 9 Pro will be “Daydream-ified over a software update soon.” He didn’t say how soon, though the Mate 9 Pro isn’t even available in western territories yet and we don’t know when it will be.

According to GSM Arena, the Mate 9 Pro boasts a AMOLED 5.5 inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920. It’s powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 960 processor and has 4GB RAM. That’s not a make of chipset we’re familiar with, though if it’s Google-approved for Daydream it obviously meets to quality standards the company has laid out for its mobile platform.

Huawei is just one of many companies making Daydream-ready smartphones, though, and we’re still expecting to see handsets from Samsung, ZTE, LG, Asus, Lenovo and others, as well as new takes on the headset.

We don’t know which of those we’ll see next, but Bavor did drop a hint as to when we might here some news. “I’ll just say it, I think CES and Mobile World Congress will be very exciting for VR,” he said later on in the interview. CES takes place in January while Mobile World Congress gets underway at the end of February. Daydream-related reveals for both events seems likely.

Tagged with: , , , ,

Posted on

Go on a Space Adventure with Vendetta Online for Google Daydream

Last year Guild Software announced plans to bring its massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Vendetta Online to virtual reality (VR). October saw the title arrive on Samsung Gear VR, and today that support has expanded to Google Daydream.

Vendetta Online enables players to create their own character and roam the stars however they choose, whether that’s a hero fighting the good fight or a criminal looking to loot the next unsuspecting space traveller.

As well as engaging in online space battles, players will be able to trade in a galactic economy, mining valuable resources, whilst helping other players manufacture items and ships. Friends can even team up to attack capital ships or command their own.

vendetta_icon_4k_logo

“We’re excited to see our title debut on this mobile-VR ecosystem,” said John Bergman, CEO of Guild Software. “The immersion made possible by Daydream, along with the intensity and social dynamics of a true space MMORPG will give people an unforgettable experience.”

The release will allow Daydream users to join thousands of other players online, with cross platform support across VR headset as well as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.

The Daydream version features extensive support for its motion controller, so that players can fly and navigate their ships, alongside a special ‘laser pointer’ mode for selecting distant objects.

That’s not all. A new Vendetta Online HD version –  separate from Android’s historical package of Vendetta Online – will include optimizations or modern ARMv8 CPUs and OpenGL ES 3.1, along with higher definition texture assets.

Vendetta Online HD is a hybrid VR+touchscreen app, and is priced at $2.99 USD on Google Play.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Vendetta Online, reporting back with any further updates.

Posted on

Preview: Lola and the Giant – A Little Adventure With A Lot Of Heart

Climax Studios’ previous virtual reality (VR) titles like Bandit Six, Gun Sight and Hunters Gate , are all gun toting action romps, with the first two for Gear VR and the latter on Google Daydream. The studio is going for a somewhat different tact with its next Daydream project, a quaint little adventure called Lola and the Giant. 

Set in a magical land, Lola and the Giant aims to take players on a fairytale journey when Lola meets a lonely stone giant who then helps her look for a way home. At its core Lola and the Giant is a puzzle quest, requiring the two to work together – mainly the giant aiding Lola – as the main gameplay mechanic.

Lola and the Giant - screenshot 1

The demo the studio had available featured the two characters inside some caverns, with Lola trying to make her way across several rocky walkways. As it’s mainly a third-person adventure you control Lola through a point and click method. Swiping across the Daydream’s control pad sets Lola off on a run, she can then be directed with a cursor wherever you wish, with the camera following at a gentle pace providing a decent viewpoint.

When running around should Lola come to a gap she can jump she does so automatically, there’s no pinpoint platform jumping in the videogame. If it’s a gap she can’t traverse then its time for the big man. This is where Lola and the Giant switches up the viewpoint for a first-person offering – this was the same all the way though the demo. The giant can then perform a variety of actions depending on what’s needed – for this point in the title it was moving or removing rocks to the correct position.

None of these puzzles provided any sort of challenge, seemingly designed to offer a way of learning the control methods needed later on. But Lola and the Giant feels much more of a lighthearted journey than some hardcore puzzler which will have you wracking your brain for ages, this is definitely a family orientated experience. Which will certainly attract a wider scope of player to the videogame and possibly the headset, although experience VR players may find it somewhat lacking.

Lola and the Giant - screenshot 2

This being an early version of the project there were naturally some issues that arrived whilst playing. Firstly Lola and the Giant crashed, which can be a jarring experience for anyone in VR, even for those more experienced with the medium. Then there were some controller problems, menu selection suddenly became temperamental, and trying to guide Lola was a little erratic. If this were the final build then serious questions would have to be asked, but as an early stage demonstration these are technical glitches that will hopefully be overcome, especially since Climax Studios’ past titles have performed well.

While there was some roughness to Lola and the Giant there was no mistaking a certain charm to the experience. It’s good to see Climax Studios branching out, showing that not all VR videogames need guns. If this becomes as polished as the studio’s other titles then Daydream owners should have something to look forward to.