Google Daydream View – Page 4 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

March 9, 2017

NextVR And Live Nation To Exclusively Broadcast Galactic And Robert Randolph Concert

Galactic and Robert Randolph & The Family Band will be performing a concert at the Boston House of Blues today and the NextVR app will be broadcasting the event live to music fans all over the world.

Fans of Jazz-fun and soul bands Galactic and Robert Randolph who own a Google Daydream or Gear VR along with a compatible smartphone will be able to watch the concert, which will be broadcast for free through the NextVR smartphone app to give fans a virtual front-row seat to the event.

NextVR has made a name for itself by offering a range of live broadcasts of sporting events, concerts and even political debates. They have previously worked with the likes of FOX Sports, NBC, and CNN. Their work in that area won them an award for Best In Sports Technology at the 2016 Sports Business Awards.

NextVR - Galactic

As is usual for NextVR broadcasts, the Galactic and Robert Randolph broadcast will have multiple cameras around the venue so fans can get the best view of the action on stage.

Galactic come from New Orleans and have become well known for fusing a range of influences such as hip-hop, electronic and blues into their own distinctive jazz-funk sound.

Robert Randolph is a renowned steel guitar player who leads funk and soul group Robert Randolph & The Family Band, who have recently released a new studio album ‘Got Soul’.

The broadcast will begin at 7:30pm (ET) on Thursday March 9^th 2017.

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on VR broadcasts.

March 1, 2017

Climax Studios Unveils Daydream Exclusive Lola and the Giant

Today Climax Studios, the British developer behind virtual reality (VR) titles such as Bandit Six, Hunters Gate and Gun Sight, has announced a new adventure videogame for Google Daydream, Lola and the Giant.

Telling the story of Lola, a little girl who meets a lonely stone giant in a mysterious world, Lola and the Giant, takes players on a fantastical journey as they search for a way home.

Lola and the Giant - Companion App

On their travels through the world, players will have to solve puzzles whilst encountering weird and wonderful creatures in this lighthearted escapade. Gamers will be able to switch between third and first-person viewpoints as they control each character to utilise their individual abilities to succeed.

The videogame was inspired by Climax’s lead designer, Matt Duff recently becoming a father: “Lola and the Giant came to me a few months into me becoming a parent for the first time. I began to wonder how differently my daughter Eleanor saw the world compared to me. How we both occupied the same place but because of our vast differences in size, our perspectives of that world were completely different. One of the most immersive aspects of VR is a sense of place and so it became the perfect fit to tell this fairytale story of a little girl and her huge Giant, working together, trying to find a way back home.”

Climax Studios has also worked on a companion smartphone app allowing a second player to help the person in VR. “We wanted to create a VR game that could be experienced by everyone not just the user in the headset. We feel this is an important step to ensure the growth of the market,” added Matt.

As yet no date or price point have been confirmed Lola and the Giant. For further updates on Lola and the Giant, keep reading VRFocus.

February 20, 2017

Social App AltspaceVR Coming to Daydream and Android this Week

AltspaceVR has been one of the major front runners in the social virtual reality (VR) scene, not only providing a place to meet up with friends, but also providing entertainment and events. Now the company has announced its latest venture, expanding head-mounted display (HMD) support to Google Daydream View as well as Android devices.

Launching this week, the free app brings to Daydream all the same functionality as its previous incarnations on Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. With cross-platform support it means even more people can get together to watch comedy shows from performers like Reggie Watts or play videogames such as Dungeons and Dragons, Boss Monster or Holograms Against Humanity.

AltspaceVR Mobile Portrait Shots

The major inclusion in the launch is the support for non-VR users, allowing anyone with an Android device to use the app. They’ll be able to check what events are coming up, see if friends are online, or checkout the entertainment available, with or without a headset. Intern this may also attract more Android users to try VR.

“We are excited about serving Daydream customers, which could number in the tens of millions by the end of the year,” said Eric Romo, founder and CEO of AltspaceVR in a statement. “We are looking forward to providing them with the wide range of activities and events that are available in AltspaceVR, and connecting them with their friends on other platforms.”

There’s no update on if or when AltspaceVR might come to the last major headset, PlayStation VR, but when the company does reveal any further details VRFocus will report back.

February 18, 2017

Rogue-like VR Shooter Battle Planet Hits Daydream

If you bought one of Google’s Daydream View headsets, chances are you’re keen for more content to launch as the device hasn’t exactly been inundated with titles. That does look to be changing as earlier this week Climax Studios released Bandit Six with sequel Bandit Six: Salvo due this coming week. But there’s more. Arriving in time for the weekend is Battle Planet, a rogue-like shooter from German indie studio THREAKS.

The first virtual reality (VR) title from the team, Battle Planet is a top down shooter with players protecting micro planets from destruction. Facing a barrage of enemies from all sides, they’ll have to unlock new weapons and upgrades if they want to survive, making sure they’re ready for some massive boss fights.

BattlePlanet_04

There are loads planets to save and highscore ranks to compete against others players.

Battle Planet is available today for $11.99 USD/£10.49 GBP exclusively on Daydream.

Checkout the release trailer below, and for the latest Daydream releases, keep reading VRFocus.

February 16, 2017

Bandit Six Comes to Daydream, Bandit Six: Salvo Due Next Week

Since it’s launch back in November, Google’s Daydream View hasn’t exactly been inundated with loads of videogames. Some noteworthy titles include InMind 2, The Arcslinger, VR Karts: Sprint, Bait!, Hunters Gate and Danger Goat. Owners looking for more content should be a bit happier this week as Climax Studios has launched shooter Bandit Six, with its sequel Bandit Six: Salvo arriving next week.

Both titles originally launched on Samsung Gear VR back in 2015, with Bandit Six putting players in the tail guns of a World War 2 bomber fending off swarms of attacking fighters as they close in for the kill. Bandit Six: Salvo adapted that idea further, instead of a turret inside a bomber, players operate various ground weapons including machine guns, cannons and mortars that overlook locations such as beaches and war torn city streets. They select which positions will have what weapon and then man them to take on a onslaught of different enemy types, from enemy bombers and helicopters to landing craft, tanks, jeeps and more.

Banditsix_Screenshot_Daydream

“We are a big supporter of Daydream and believe it will continue to push our industry forward toward mass consumer adoption. We have already seen great success with our first Daydream release, Hunters Gate, and are excited to see the public’s reaction to our next two titles,” says Simon Gardner, CEO of Climax Studios.

Bandit Six is available now on the Google Play Store for £2.99 GBP/$2.99 USD/3.49 EUR. Bandit Six: Salvo arrives on the 23rd February and is a free to try title. Players will be able to download and experience the first 3 levels for free, with the full game unlock available for £2.49/$2.99/3.49 euro.

For any further updates from Climax Studios, keep reading VRFocus.

February 9, 2017

Google Brings VR to the Web on Chrome for Daydream

Access to virtual reality (VR) content is getting easier and easier, with multiple head-mounted displays (HMDs) now available and a wealth of apps and services now supporting the medium. Today Google has announced WebVR support on Chrome for use with Daydream View and Daydream-ready smartphones like Pixel or ZTE’s Axon 7.

This update will allow users to surf the web and when they find a VR experience they want to view, simply pop their device into the headset to enjoy the immersive experience. Even if they don’t have the headset they’ll be able to view and control it using their finger.

Sketchfab - Webvr - spacedome

While there’s not masses of WebVR content available Google has highlighted some of the best to get users started. For those interested in architecture, celebrity homes, museums and more there’s Matterport. Award-winning content creator Within has a mixture of documentaries, short films and other 360-degree experiences. Or for user generated 3D models and scenes there’s Sketchfab. Utilising the Daydream remote for a range of gameplay option is the WebVR Lab from PlayCanvas. Or checkout the Bear 71 interactive documentary, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, which blurs the lines between the wild world and the wired one.

WebVR is set to be a big part of VR’s future, enabling views ways to explore content. Other companies working on WebVR applications include Oculus with its Carmel browser. Supporting both Rift and Gear VR, Oculus launched a developer preview for the mobile headset back in December, available as a Gallery app on the Oculus Store.

For all the latest WebVR and Daydream news, keep reading VRFocus.

February 7, 2017

ZTE Rolls Out Daydream Update for Axon 7

When Google first revealed details for its next virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), Daydream, a number of smartphone manufacturers were announced to be partnering with the company, one of which was ZTE. Then in the summer of 2016 ZTE launched its flagship device, the Axon 7, with confirmed compatibility for Daydream. Today the smartphone manufacturer has announced an update roll out for the Axon 7 adding Android Nougat and Daydream functionality.

While Google has partnered with the likes of Samsung, Huawei, Alcatel, Asus, HTC, LG, Xiaomi and ZTE on Daydream compatible devices, very few have appeared since the HMDs launch in November, with Google’s own Pixel being the main entry point for Daydream use.

ZTE_Axon 7-Daydream

“Delivering Android Nougat for the Axon 7 provides consumers with an enhanced experience and greater value when purchasing this flagship device,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman on CEO of ZTE USA. “Also, with Daydream certification, consumers are now able to have an immersive VR experience at a price they can afford when paired with the Daydream View headset.”

As ZTE’s top-of-the-range smartphone, the Axon 7 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, a 5.5 inch quad HD AMOLED display, 4GB RAM, 20MP Hybrid IS rear-camera and a 8MP front-facing camera, dual hi-fi quality speakers with Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, and dual sim card slot

The start of 2017 has been decidedly quiet for the fledgling headset with few notable software launches. The few that have happened included live event streaming specialist NextVR launching its app and Resolution Games porting its popular fishing title Bait! from Samsung Gear VR, having surpassed one million players.

For any further Google Daydream updates, keep reading VRFocus.

February 6, 2017

CCP Games Adds Challenges and a Loadout System to Gunjack 2: End of Shift

Shortly after the launch of Google Daydream View last year CCP Games Shanghai released Gunjack 2: End of Shift as an exclusive on the platform. A sequel to the popular Gunjack on Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, the followup has now been updated adding four major new additions to the videogame.

With the aim to bring greater depth and replayability to Gunjack 2, the new features are: Challenges, Weekly Shift, a Progression System and a Loadout System. In the Challenge mode players will be matched against others in a competition for the highest score, with a mission mutator altering the characteristics.

Gunjack 2 End of Shift - Loadout screenshot

Then there’s the Weekly Shift, taking over from the daily shift, where seven procedurally generated new missions will be made available each week, with high scores for each mission displayed on a leaderboard, rewarding the best players.

Gunjack 2: End of Shift’s new progression system utilises both of these two new features, as players complete Challenges and Weekly Shift missions they’ll be rewarded experience. In turn this unlocks new weapons and upgrades including such as the Pyro Slicer gun, the ‘Maelstrom’ Autocannon upgrade, for raw damage and faster reloads and the ‘Carnage’ Flak Cannon upgrade, for a larger area-of-effect.

Lastly there’s the Loadout System with which players can customise their own particular choice of weapons for the Challenges and Weekly Shift game modes, ensuring they’re ideally equipped for the fight ahead.

As a Daydream exclusive Gunjack 2: End of Shift can be found on Google Play for £12.99 GBP. Checkout the new trailer below, and for any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

January 26, 2017

VR Fishing Title Bait! Passes 1 Million Players, Now Available for Daydream

Less than a year ago Resolution Games launched its second virtual reality (VR) title for Samsung Gear VR, a fishing video game called Bait!. The experience proved to be popular on the fledgling VR headset, garnering nearly 150,000 downloads in less than a week the studio announced. Today the developer has revealed Bait!’s achieved another milestone, alongside expanded head-mounted display (HMD) support.

Resolution Games has managed to hit the one million player barrier for Bait!, putting it in a very exclusive group. Otherworld Interactive’s horror title Sisters achieved the one million mark back in May 2016, but that’s classed more as an experience rather than an actual video game like Bait!.

BaitHeader

And that player count looks set to grow even further as Bait! now supports Google Daydream from today. Daydream owners can find the title on Google Play for £6.49 GBP/$7.99 USD.

“We are so excited to see the initial interest in Bait! as it crests 1 million players,” said Tommy Palm, CEO and co-founder of Resolution Games. “And, we now look forward to making the game available for the growing audience on Daydream, while adding the ability to use the motion controller for casting and reeling in fish, which adds a whole new layer to the game’s immersion within VR.”

Checkout the new Daydream launch trailer below, and for any further updates from Resolution Games, keep reading VRFocus.

January 19, 2017

Get Your Cook on with Cosmic Chef for Daydream

Since its launch a couple of months ago, Google’s Daydream View head-mounted display (HMD) hasn’t exactly been overrun with content, with titles appearing sporadically. Today those that have bought the headset have been treated to another release, this time from Uber Entertainment in the form of Cosmic Chef.

Available to download now on Google Play for £9.99 GBP, Cosmic Chef mixes up gameshows and cooking into a culinary battle royale in which players must chop, slice and smash their way through waves of ingredients, scoring as many points as possible to get a maximum three stars.

Featuring a bizarre set of characters, players need to make some tasty food to score big trying to make their opponents native dishes even better than they can.

Regular readers of VRFocus may know know Uber Entertainment from its first virtual reality (VR) title, third person single-player adventure Wayward Sky for PlayStation VR. Most recently Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) revealed another project the studio has been working on during the PlayStation Showcase in December. This was Dino Frontier, a table top strategy sim set in the wild west, due for release this summer.

For all the latest Daydream releases, keep reading VRFocus.