Remoria VR Kickstarting Universal VR Controller

Seemingly the next rush for innovation within the virtual reality (VR) industry, Remoria VR has today launched a Kickstarter campaign for their universal controller. Hot-on-the-heels of Merge Labs’ Moonshot controller reveal, Remoria VR’s Lignum, a new immersive controller for mobile VR, is compatible with both iOS and Android.

Lignum Controller

Lignum is a wireless Bluetooth 4.1 device specifically designed for mobile VR. An array of sensors allow motion and orientation tracking at low latency (~10ms) which is a critical part of any VR system. Additionally, the versatility of the Lignum SDK, which spans from Samsung Gear VR through Windows to Mac and Linux, enables the developers to create VR experiences beyond the traditional platforms.

“The mobile Virtual Reality industry is dominated by Android and we were looking for an innovative controller that would be compatible with iOS and other platforms as well. However, we did not manage to find any product that would satisfy our need. That’s why we decided to create Lignum” says Marco de Falco, CEO of Remoria VR. “It can be asked how Lignum differs from the other controllers that are currently available on the market. As everybody knows, Google has recently launched its VR platform, Daydream. Daydream is built directly into Android 7.0 Nougat, which means that it will support only the high performance devices. Nevertheless, there are just a few Daydream-ready smartphones. This fact creates a huge obstacle for the developers who would like to build their own VR experiences but do not own the necessary devices certified by Google. So what about them? Lignum is the answer!”

The campaign is now live, with the funding goal of €20,000 EUR. Achieving this goal will help the company build a community of developers around the controller and consequently encourage them to build immersive and interactive mobile VR content. You can find out more details on the Lignum Kickstarter campaign page, and VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest universal input devices for VR platforms.

Daydream View Launches, 12 Videogames Currently Available for UK Consumers

Today’s the day, Google finally launches its next virtual reality (VR) headset into the world, Daydream View. In a section of the VR market dominated by Samsung Gear VR for the last year, Daydream View is the first serious competition. Daydream View currently only works with Google’s latest smartphone Pixel, and if you’ve already got yours then you’ll be wanting to fill it with content, and for UK customers at least there’s 12 videogames to choose from at present.

GoogleDaydream-Snow_Slate_Crimson

The titles range from being completely free up to a maximum of £10 GBP, they are:

  1. Wonder Glade – Free (in-app purchases) – Resolution Studios
  2. Hunters Gate – £4.99 – Climax Studios
  3. Mekorama – £3.79 – Martin Magni
  4. Claro – £4.89 – Super Bright
  5. EarthShape – £4.79 – Bithell
  6. Polyrunner VR – Free – LucidSight
  7. VR Karts Sprint – Free – Viewpoint Games
  8. Danger Goat – £4.99 – nDreams
  9. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes – £9.99 – Steelcrate Games
  10. Twilight Pioneers – Free – Netease
  11. Daydream Blue – £4.79 – RalphVR
  12. Action Bowling – £3.19 – Tribal City

While this list may seem short do bear in mind however that the Daydream service has just launched and some titles will take longer to arrive. Below is a list of all the other videogames expected to arrive today.

  1. Archer E Bowman – VoidAlpha
  2. Arcslinger – Big Red Button
  3. Baskhead – VRLines
  4. Classroom Aquatic – Sunken Places
  5. Evil Robot Traffic Jam – Element Games
  6. Frostbound – Schell Games
  7. Gunjack 2: End of Shift – CCP Games
  8. Home Run Derby – MLB
  9. Layers of Fear – Aspyr
  10. Moatboat – Moatboat
  11. Need for Speed: No Limits VR – EA
  12. Sisters – Otherworld
  13. Untethered – Numinous
  14. Wands – Nux Studios

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Daydream View, reporting back with any further updates.

Google Daydream View Exclusive The Arcslinger Detailed in New Trailer

The highly anticipated launch of Google’s mobile virtual reality (VR) device, Google Daydream View, is only one day away. As we approach the release date a number of exclusive titles have revealed brand new information, including Climax Studios’ Hunters Gate and nDreams’ Danger Goat. Now, we can add Big Red Button Entertainment’s The Arcslinger to that list.

The Arcslinger art

Little is actually known about The Arcslinger. Big Red Button’s own description is limited to precisely: ‘Get yer trigger finger ready in the fast paced arcade shootin’ VR world of The Arcslinger’. However, this brand new trailer showcases some of the action players can expect from the Google Daydream View exclusive title.

The debut trailer for The Arcslinger, embedded below, showcases a fantasy Wild West setting filled with bizarre bi-pedal takes on animals such as cats, alligators and pigs. The gameplay appears to set these creatures as enemies in a gallery shooter; a genre that VR aficionados are undoubtedly already very familiar with.

Google Daydream View is set to launch tomorrow, 10th November 2016, alongside a number of exclusive launch titles. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on Google Daydream View and the many videogames coming on day one and beyond.

Google VR Services Arrives to Support Daydream Launch

In a couple of days Google’s Daydream View, a mobile head-mounted display (HMD) currently compatible with its Pixel smartphone will launch globally. In the run up to its arrival the company has now launched a new app on its Play Store called Google VR Services, providing virtual reality (VR) functionality for Daydream and Cardboard apps.

The app enables a range of functions for the VR headsets such as displaying notifications while wearing one of the HMD’s, or entering and exiting VR apps. It’s also required for pairing Daydream-ready headsets and the supplied remote control with a users Daydream-ready phone. Google also states that if Google VR Services is uninstalled from a device Daydream apps will no longer work, so its a necessary app to have for those interested in VR.

Daydream View Headset

All eyes will be on Google this week to see how successful the initial launch of Daydream View will be, following in the footsteps of the entry level, cheaply produced Cardboard. Currently there’s only one compatible smartphone – the Pixel – which has been available for a couple of weeks now, but Google has partnered with several smartphone manufacturers including Samsung, HTC, ZTE, Huawei, Xiaomi, Alcatel, Asus, LG and HTC to bring more compatible devices to market. Currently though none have been confirmed.

There’s also going to be more than one Daydream headset. When Google first announced the device back in May at its I/O conference Clay Bavor, Vice President of Virtual Reality at Google commented on a ‘reference design’ for other manufacturers to follow. As yet no other designs have been revealed.

For those who have already received their Pixel smartphones and are eagerly awaiting the launch of Daydream View there looks to be a sizeable amount of videogames and apps available one day one, with more to follow.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Daydream View, reporting back with any further updates.

Hunters Gate Debut Trailer Demonstrates Google’s Daydream View’s Visual Capability

Following the hugely popular Bandit Six series on Samsung Gear VR, UK developer Climax Studios are set to support another mobile virtual reality (VR) device at launch. Hunters Gate will be available as a Google Daydream View exclusive later this week, and the debut trailer for the videogame showcases the quality of the head-mounted display’s (HMD) graphical capabilities.

Hunters Gate Google Daydream View

Hunters Gate offers a new approach to the arcade shooter. A fantasy setting hosts the player as they fight against hordes of encroaching enemies, desperately trying to sustain their health as boss encounters approach. Hunters Gate can also be played in a two-player co-operative gameplay mode, bringing a friend into the VR world as you face your foes.

Set to be available alongside the launch of Google’s Daydream View, Hunters Gate is part of a strong line-up of day one titles including Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed: No Limits VR, nDreams’ Danger Goat, Sunken Places’ Classroom Aquatic and Steel Crate Games’ hugely popular Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. The debut trailer for Hunters Gate follows below and VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on the rapidly approaching Google Daydream View launch.

NFL Teams Up With Google For Daydream-bound VR Miniseries

The NFL has had a rough few years in terms of its reputation both on and off the field. Protests, scandals, accusation of cheating by players, domestic violence, investigations about player health, the building of stadiums with public funds, issues such as discrimination by gender and sexuality. It’s not been good reading for a sport that generates an annual revenue of $9 Billion (USD).

In spite of these issues the NFL has, for several years now, been reevaluating how both casual viewers and hardcore fans take in their product. This led to the surprise announcement that Twitter would be the exclusive streamer of NFL games throughout the present season. As for virtual reality (VR), there have of course already been American Football matches shown in VR highlight packages, notably at collage level. Whilst both Microsoft with the Hololens and new Intel acquisition VOKE had previously been involved in looking at the potential for bringing the sport impressively to the masses. That’s not including the use of VR for training of course, which already has several NFL and college football teams signed up and using the tech.

NFL

Now though Google is teaming up with the NFL in order to bring a nine-part series to both YouTube and its forthcoming mobile-based head-mounted display (HMD) the Google Daydream.

“We are always looking for new ways to engage with our fans.” Said the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Digital Media Vishal Shah. “Virtual reality is an emerging platform that enables content experiences with a truly unique vantage point that brings fans closer to the game.It’s an exciting new medium to explore as we look to evolve and grow our offerings, and this partnership with Google is an important step in that direction.”

“This series will give fans an opportunity to connect with the NFL like never before, whether they are on YouTube or using Google’s virtual reality headset, Daydream View. We’re thrilled to work with the NFL to capture the series with Jump and bring it to YouTube and Daydream.” Amit Singh, Vice President of Google VR confirmed.

The series is expected to take on all manner of behind the scenes activities from training with the squad, details of a team’s culture and history, right down to following the team’s cheerleader for the day to see what they get up to. As well as the various little things that make the biggest teams in the world tick. Similar to a previous team up for the NFL with Verizon.

The first part is expected on American Thanksgiving which this year Thursday, November 24th. VRFocus will bring you more news regarding VR and sport in the weeks to come. For two stories relating to sport in VR check out yesterday’s weekly sport round-up.

First Trailer Released for nDreams’ Daydream View Title Danger Goat

Google’s next virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), Daydream View is scheduled to launch next week and developers have been revealing which titles owners can expect to see on day one. UK-based VR specialist nDreams (The Assembly) has announced its next videogame, Danger Goat will be a day one launch experience, and unveiled the first teaser trailer.

Danger Goat is a puzzle adventure where players have to guide their goat to safety through all manner of obstacles and traps. Using the Daydream controller the goat can run, slide and catapult through the levels, with missiles, shrink rays, crazy killer robots and more looking to stop players in their tracks.

An exclusive to the Daydream View platform, Danger Goat features 28 levels to master, covering a wide range of themes. From wild forests and snowy mountains to the farthest reaches of outer space, players will need to grasp the unique features of the Daydream controller to knock down monoliths and sabotage traps to create that route through.

As you’ll see from the trailer Danger Goat is a comedic take on the puzzle genre, with a bold art style and inspiration taken from old school spy capers.

Daydream View will launch next Thursday, 10th November for $79 USD/ £69 GBP, available through Google Store and various retailers in select countries. Currently only the Pixel smartphone has been confirmed to support the HMD, but Google does have several other smartphone partners who’ll be bringing out compatible devices in the near future.

For all the latest VR news on Daydream View, keep reading VRFocus.

Google Announces Daydream View Launch Date

Last month Google finally unveiled its next virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), Daydream View. While a price and launch month were revealed along with 30 titles coming to the headset, an actual date wasn’t announced. Today Google has confirmed that Daydream View will arrive on 10th November.

Daydream View has been available to pre-order through Google Store as well as various retailers in select countries. But from 10th consumers will be able to purchase the headset direct, in the US from Verizon and Best Buy, in Canada from Bell, Rogers, Telus and Best Buy, in the UK from EE and Carphone Warehouse, in Germany from Deutsche Telekom and finally in Australia from Telstra and JB Hi-Fi.

Daydream View Headset

Also today at Unity’s Unite 2016 event in California, Nathan Martz, Lead Project Manager for Daydream Developer Platform revealed that Google Play is fully integrated in to Daydream, enabling customers to fully browse and shop in the store without leaving VR.

But as with any mobile VR headset users will need a compatible headset. Unlike Cardboard which is compatible with most smartphones, Daydream View will be more like Samsung Gear VR – only compatible with certain devices. Currently, if users want to play on Daydream View on launch day they’ll need Pixel the latest Google smartphone unveiled at the same time as the HMD. Apart from carrier specific deals the phone costs £599 GBP on its own.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Daydream View, reporting back with any further announcements.

DRIFT Launching On Oculus Rift Today, Daydream Support Confirmed

Sharpsense, the developer behind Samsung Gear VR title DRIFT, has confirmed to VRFocus that the videogame will arrive for Oculus Rift today and that it’ll also be available at launch for Google’s Daydream View headset.

DRIFT is an award-winning bullet simulator which won Gold at Oculus VR’s Gear VR Game Jam last year. The gameplay revolves around players controlling their movement through a selection of suspended, highly stylised, action scenes, avoiding all the various objects on route to reach the glowing target at the end. As the levels progress, these scenes become evermore hazardous and convoluted. Along the way there are blue crystals to pickup which add points to the overall score as well as refilling the Slow Motion gauge. This can be used to make sections of the level easier, but if players manage to avoid using the option whilst still collecting the crystals in one run they’ll be able to unlock unlimited slow motion for the level.

DRIFT screenshot

In an email to VRFocus, Ferdinand Dervieux, co-founder of Sharpsense, confirmed Daydream View support saying DRIFT is: ‘one of the launch titles for Daydream and will be released in the next few weeks.”

Google officially unveiled Daydream View earlier this month at a small event in California. The head-mounted display (HMD) has been confirmed for a November launch with pre-orders now being taken. The device costs $79 USD/£69 GBP and comes with a remote control to interact with the experiences. As a mobile virtual reality (VR) HMD users will still need a compatible smartphone to use with it, currently Google’s new Pixel phone is the only one available, but more will be on the way from other manufacturers.

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

Google’s Daydream View Reportedly Shipping In Next ‘2 – 3 Weeks’

Google’s Daydream View Reportedly Shipping In Next ‘2 – 3 Weeks’

Google’s new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones may now be rolling out to stores, but we still don’t have an exact release date for the company’s Daydream View VR headset. Its launch window has seemingly been narrowed down a little this week, though.

The search engine giant is taking pre-orders for the kit, which works with its new phones, online. If you add the $79/£69 headset to your basket in the UK, you’ll be told that it’s expected to be delivered in two to three weeks. That means it could be here as early as November 7th or as late as November 14th.

In the US, meanwhile, Verizon is taking pre-orders with the note that it will ship by November 16th, which means it could be arriving a little later on. Either way, it’s not that long to wait. We’ve reached out to Google to confirm that these listings are accurate.

Once Daydream View is here, Pixel owners will have access to a whole new library of mobile VR content, including exclusive releases like CCP Games’ Gunjack 2: End of Shift and a Fantastic Beasts And How to Find Them game. The device also comes with a motion controller that’s required to access content and can be stored inside the headset when not in use. Over time, more compatible smartphones will be released from other manufacturers as will Daydream-branded headsets.

All told Daydream View represents the first serious competition to Oculus and Samsung’s Gear VR in the mobile space, though it does have some issues. We went hands-on with the kit in early October and had some issues with comfort and the lack of an over-head strap, though still saw plenty of promise.

We also spoke with Google’s VP of VR, Clay Bavor, back at the reveal of Daydream View. He gave us five fascinating insights into the kit.