HTC Vive Pro McLaren Special Edition Arrives for an Eye Watering $1550

This weekend may have been all about big discounts off the latest tech but HTC Vive decided to go in a different direction and launch a special edition headset in collaboration with legendary racing company McLaren.

HTC Vive Pro McLaren headset

The HTC Vive Pro McLaren Special Edition has arrived for racing fans, retailing for a rather costly $1,549 USD (that’s $150 more than the standard kit). So what do you get for those extra bucks? Well, the HTC Vive Pro and its controllers have had some added orange accents to compliment the blue body, and two included videogames, the new McLaren Garage VR experience which was made by Vive Studios in cooperation with McLaren. And then there’s a custom version of ‘RFactor 2’ McLaren Edition VR racing.

McLaren Garage VR experience is a multi-player simulation where players can be part of the McLaren pit-crew, with additional features including ‘Pit-stop Challenge’, wherein a room scale recreation of McLaren’s garage enables players to learn to change a car tyre before testing others in a timed competition.

Everything else is the same as you’d find in the normal HTC Vive Pro Full Kit, with Steam Tracking 2.0 lighthouses, integrated headphones, microphones, 110-degree field of view (FoV) and 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye.

mclaren

“Grand Prix racing attracts over 500 million fans globally, and we’re excited to partner with McLaren to bring a unique perspective to race fans through VR. Through our collaboration, we’re combining our best-in-class VR headset with their long heritage of racing expertise to create the most immersive experience for fans across the globe,” said Alvin Wang Graylin, China President, HTC, in a statement. “This is a chance for customers to go beyond being a spectator and feel the excitement of being a McLaren driver or pit-crew right from their living rooms.”

How many actual consumers will want to part with $1,550 for the HTC Vive Pro McLaren Special Edition remains to be seen – not many VRFocus would imagine – when a normal HTC Vive costs $499 or how about rival Oculus Rift for $349 at the moment. Should HTC launch any other pricey special editions along the way then VRFocus will let you know.

HTC & McLaren Unveil Limited Edition Vive Pro With McLaren VR Experiences

HTC & McLaren Unveil Limited Edition Vive Pro With McLaren VR Experiences

HTC and McLaren today announced a special edition of the Vive Pro with McLaren styling which includes two McLaren themed VR games along with 6 months subscription to Viveport. The bundle is priced at $1,549, $150 more than the regular Vive Pro kit. The bundled games are rFactor 2 (McLaren Edition) and McLaren Garage VR Experience.

In terms of hardware, there package is contained in a new McLaren themed box, the plastic surrounding the cameras on the front of the headset is now orange, and the app buttons on the controllers are orange too. The bundle includes the new SteamVR Tracking 2.0 base stations and controllers.

McLaren Garage VR Experience was teased earlier this month on McLaren’s Twitter page. It was unclear at the time what the app would be, but has now been revealed as a VR F1 pit crew simulator. Using HTC’s VR controllers you can virtually take on the role of a tire gunner, tire mounter, or tire demounter. A leaderboard system is included so players can compete to see who can perform the fastest pit stop.

rFactor 2 is a popular racing simulator with a heavy focus on realism. It was released in 2013 and VR support was added in 2017. The game, if you can call it that, simulates in detail the physics of driving in different vehicles, track types, and weather conditions. The McLaren Edition of the game included in this bundle includes exclusive McLaren cars.

HTC is McLaren’s official VR partner, according to the two companies. Their partnership was first seen at ChinaJoy 2018 where the companies hosted a contest to see who could achieve the fastest lap time in a virtual McLaren F1 car in the Vive Pro headset. With the release of this special edition Vive Pro with McLaren branding, it’s likely we’ll see this corporate partnership go even further in future – we’ll keep you updated on any future VR projects from HTC and McLaren.

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HTC Vive, McLaren Tease F1 VR Racing Experience

HTC Vive, McLaren Tease F1 VR Racing Experience

It looks like HTC and McLaren’s VR F1 collaboration will be arriving in the west pretty soon.

At the ChinaJoy event earlier this year HTC debuted a partnership with the motor company, putting visitors in the virtual driver seat of a McLaren F1 car. Attendees were able to compete for the fastest lap time in order to earn a spot in the finals of a competition taking place at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK next January. The grand prize is a place on McLaren’s eSports team.

Today, though, McLaren itself tweeted the above video of what looks to be that very experience, complete with the message ‘Why just be a spectator?’ and the promise that the experience is ‘coming soon’.

Naturally, we have questions. Will this experience be released on Viveport and/or Steam for everyone to get a shot at racing an F1 car, or will it be a location-based tournament? Will there be more to the app than a single track?

Looks like we’ll have to wait to find out more.

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This Week In VR Sport: VR ESports In China And Australia While Its All About Football At Home

Every week VRFocus brings you a number of sports and eSports related virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories as part of This Week In VR Sport. This week, HTC Vive and McLaren launch their Motorsports eSports series at ChinaJoy 2018, Australia is seeing a raise in the number of VR eSports fan and Cherry Pop Games release a new update and demo for their popular title Football Nation VR.

HTC Vive and McLaren Launch Their eSports Series In China

Back in July it was announced that HTC Vive would be partnering with McLaren to put on an eSports series. Now, the first VR Motorsports eSports Competition hosted by the two companies has taken place in China alongside a new Vive Focus system update as part of ChinaJoy 2018.

Known as the McLaren Shadow Project, the competition sees participants complete in a racing videogame that shadows the real F1 team, using the Vive Pro headset, in time trial-based races. The player who is able to earn the faster time will win a place in the finals which are set to take place in January, 2019. The overall winner of the program will win a seat in McLaren’s new eSports team , an opportunity to join the McLaren eSports development programme and a unique motorsport experience.

“Already, the dramatic impact of XR on the gaming industry is transformational, which is clearly demonstrated by the new class of immersive content we are showing at ChinaJoy!” Explained Alvin Wang Graylin, China President, HTC, talking to europeangaming: “As a category, eSports is being redefined by immersive technologies, and this cooperation between HTC Vive and McLaren to hold the world’s first official VR motorsport eSport event this week is bringing the worlds of virtual and physical sports closer together than ever.”

Graylin took to Twitter to share a number of images from the competition which can be seen below. As the competition continues ahead of the finals in a few months, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest.

Australians Are Embracing VR eSports

Next Tier eSports

Australia is seeing an increasing number of people join in the eSports scene as the sport becomes more popular across the country. According to IoTHub, this movement is being helped by Next Tier Esports who have helped run events at two of the biggest gaming  conventions in the Northern Territory: Geekfest and Gecon. Not only does this mean a number of PC and console gaming areas are installed at the events but also VR setups.

Geekfest – operated by the City of Palmerston Council – expected 100 attendees in 2017, but ended up with over 700. The team at Next Teir Esports were on hand to help provide attendees with a means to play and become introduced to the concept of eSports including some VR titles. In 2018, Geekfest attracted over 1,500 attendees and the numbers are only set to raise.

Though other companies are helping to bring eSports into the lime light, including Flaktest Gaming and Throwdown Esports, it is Next Tier Esports who are looking to bring VR into the mix. With an ever growing eSports presences, VR is making waves that will not only see it offering exciting opportunities for players to engage in competitive play, but also as a great entertainment resource for consumers.

Football Nation VR Releases Free Demo On PlayStation VR

Football Nation VR 2018

Lastly this week, and in case you missed it, the fun and excitement of the 2018 World Cup can continue forever as Cherry Pop Games announced that their Football Nation VR videogame got a new update alongside the release of a demo. This means that PlayStation VR owners can download the demo and get stuck into the football action before picking up the full title.

The update that was released alongside it includes a bunch of new features such as a new striker mode, allowing players to try out penalty shoot outs in head-to-head online or offline fun. New custom teams, selectable AI difficulty, updates controls, new face to ball/goal button directing player goal orientation and an updated replay system.

“Our latest content update will fill the undeniable void left by the World Cup, one of our main focuses has been to improve the players experience, it was clear to us that the player wanted more memorable footballing moments – giving players the chance to be the star player and in doing this giving you more time on the ball,” commented Gemma Jessop, Cherry Pop Games, in a statement. “This is just one one in a list of game optimisations provided in this update, including; further control improvements, varying AI difficulty levels and the launch of a free demo on PlayStation VR so you can now jump in online and play for your country for free. It’s a great introduction to the new game mechanics.”

The free demo – which includes the striker mode – is available to download now on PlayStation VR with the update coming to both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive later this month.

That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.

This Week In VR Sports: Augmented Sports Continues To Grow

It is once again time for another entry in This Week In VR Sport. Every week VRFocus brings you a number of sports and eSports related virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories. With the World Cup in full swing it is time to look elsewhere in the world of sports to see what is going on. Ncam technologies has joined the Sports Video Group to demonstration AR solutions to sports broadcasters, Snapchat lets you go up against Serena Williams and McLaren is taking on eSports.

Ncam Technologies Partner With The Sports Video Group

Ncam Technologies, a company aimed at delivering effective and reliable real-time AR solutions, has become a corporate sponsor of the Sports Video Group. The work of the Ncam Technologies has been used in the gamification of sports, product launches and digital product placement. Joining the Sports Video Group, they will be aiming to demonstration the possibilities of AR technology for use in sports broadcasters.

“With sports viewers expecting more and more out of every broadcast they watch, only SVG can expose us to the production professionals that can bring augmented-reality technologies into the homes of their audiences,” says Morgan Beall, VP, North America sales. “Sporting-event viewers always want more information, delivered in compelling and engaging ways. As part of the SVG community, we are excited to educate fellow members and demonstrate what is possible with AR today.”

Ncam Technologies recently developed and introduced at NAB 2018 AR solutions such as Real Depth, Real Light, and Extreme.

Take On Serena Williams In New Snapchat AR Expereince

Though it is all about the football at the minute as the world cup final rapidly approaches, there was some news for the tennis fans out there earlier this week. Thanks to the work of Snapchat and Bitmoji avatars, users can experience what it might be like to go up against Serena Williams in an AR tennis match.

Thanks to the 3D Bitmoji avatars, users can launch the tennis match of a lifetime and battle against the avatar of Serena Williams in a fun AR mini-game. Players will need to move, swing and smack the ball effectively if they are wanting to have a chance at coming out on top of this match.

“Starting today, everyone can play tennis against Serena Williams…on Snapchat,” tweeted John Brennan, head of global sports partnerships at Snap, Inc. “Tap on the front-facing camera to activate an interactive 3D Bitmoji Lens and see how many points you can score against the GOAT.”

This is the latest addition to Snapchat’s AR offerings as the company continue to embrace the technology and find new ways to bring it to consumers in a fun and engaging way. VRFocus will be sure to keep you up to date on all the latest from Snapchat in the future.

Formula 1 Team McLaren Partner With HTC Vive For eSports Series

Earlier this week it was announced that HTC Vive are partnering with McLaren for an eSports series called Shadow Project. The project is an expanded version of the ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ event, which was held in 2017. The winner of Shadow Project will land a spot on McLaren’s new eSports racing team and have the chance to even become part of the world famous Formula 1 team as a simulation driver.

Shadow Project will expand the titles that are included within the lineup by bringing smartphone titles like Real Racing 3 next to the likes of Forza Motorsport, iRacing and rFactor 2. It will be owned by McLaren which offers an interesting branding and marketing opportunity for the company and for eSports as a whole. HTC Vive and Dell’s Alienware hardware solutions will offer a reliable base for the event to run on with partners such as Logitech G, Sparco, EA and Microsoft also having been involved at some point.

With VR-enabled racing titles now able to be brought into the event line up it offers a unique experience that will offer views and participation the chance to enjoy immersive titles within an eSports scene.

That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.

HTC Vive Partner with McLaren for Esports Series

While a car manufacturer might not seem like the most obvious candidate for running a esports tournament, McLaren have, in fact, been involved in the esports area for some time. The company are now sealing their participation with the launch of an esports series called Shadow Project.

Shadow Project is an expanded version of the ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ Event, which took place in 2017. The ultimate winner of Shadow Project will get a spot on McLaren’s new esports racing team, and perhaps even become part of the famous Formula 1 team as a simulation driver.

While the previous event was focussed on traditional driving simulator titles, Shadow Project is branching out into more casual titles, which will see things like smartphone title Real Racing 3 added to the line-up alongside Forza Motorsport, iRacing and rFactor 2.

“In World’s Faster Gamer the simulator was the star,” says McLaren director of esports Ban Payne. “The Shadow Project has broadened the entire programme out, so there are more ways to get involved… The end output of it is we’ll have additional talent for our esports team, and more people to bring into our esports development programme across McLaren as a group.”

Shadow Project is being entirely owned by McLaren, which presents an interesting branding and marketing opportunity for the company as it becomes more involved with the esports scene. McLaren are welcoming various partners, however, with VR brand HTC Vive and Dell’s Alienware offering expertise, alongside previous partners Logitech G and Sparco as well as EA and Microsoft.

The involvement of HTC Vive offers the potential for VR-enabled racing titles to be part of the line-up that players will need to master in order to claim a position of champion.

Some analysts are pointing to this as another step towards mainstream acceptance of esports. For further coverage of VR in esports, keep checking back with VRFocus.

McLaren Announce VR Partnership with HTC

It has been a rough couple of years for the McLaren Formula 1 racing team, but that hasn’t stopped them from embracing new technology and finding new ways of connecting with its dedicated fanbase. The latest involves a multi-year partnership with HTC for virtual reality (VR) content, technology and esports.

McLaren have long been considered one of the Formula 1 teams who are more engaged and supportive of its fanbase, which comprises over 100 million fans worldwide. The new partnership has been announced as a way to make McLaren and F1 more immersive for those fans.

McLaren and HTC will be launching a special edition McLaren-branded HTC Vive headset, and will also be joining forces to create new immersive VR and augmented reality (AR) experiences in an effort to bring fans closer to the action of the sport.

HTC will also become the official VR partner of McLaren’s esports programme, which will integrate VR esports into a real-world sport. The HTC Vive Pro will act as the official VR device for the competition, but full details on the event have yet to be revealed.

Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing, said: “Today’s announcement is a real statement of intent from both McLaren and HTC. We are both committed to using the latest technology to give our fans the most immersive experience possible, short of physically putting them in the car. We will also work together to transform the way VR is used to enhance gaming, creating an experience that enables gamers to feel like one of the world’s best racing drivers.”

Alvin Wang Graylin, China President, HTC, said: “McLaren and HTC both have a long history of disruptive innovation in our respective fields. By joining forces, we will be giving F1 fans new ways to experience and enjoy the sport like never before. The McLaren esports programme will be the first time a real sport has been combined with esports, and now by adding VR to the mix, anyone can realize their dream of being an F1 driver.”

HTC Vive stock image 3

For further news on VR use in sports, keep checking back with VRFocus.

The VR Job Hub: Google, Mclaren, Jaguar Land Rover, Sony & More..

 

Gamescom is done and the games industry as a whole is making its way back to wherever it is they came from. Our team too is on their way home after a very busy show where many new things were learned. There’s always something to learn with virtual reality (VR) – it is always changing as an industry. To that end there are always opportunities available for those looking to start in, move into, or expand their horizons in VR.  Such as those in this week’s VR Job Hub list.

View the new listings below for more information:

Location Company Role Link
Mountain View, CA, US Google Hardware Lead Engineer, Consumer Hardware Click here to apply
Woking, UK Mclaren Digital Project Manager Click here to apply
London, UK Facebook (Oculus) Software Engineer, Social VR Click here to apply
Birmingham, UK Jaguar Land Rover Lead Industrial Engineer Click here to apply
Salford Quays, UK Red Frog Digital Ltd Mobile App R&D Software Engineer Click here to apply
 Bristol, UK University of the West of England  Research Associate (Virtual Reality Technologies for Autistic Groups) Click here to apply
 London, UK Eyespy360 Sales Executive (Virtual Reality) Click here to apply
 San Mateo, CA, USA Sony Interactive Entertainment Senior Rendering Programmer (Unreal Engine) Click here to apply
San Diego, CA, US San Diego State University Company Battlespace Exploitation of Mixed Reality Click here to apply

 

That ends the list of jobs for this week, but if you’d like some more you’re of course able to check up last week’s edition of The VR Job Hub for a number of other roles. Additionally if you’re an employer and you are looking for someone to fill a role in VR, AR or another related would like to advertise that position in next week’s feature, please a link to the details to myself (keva@vrfocus.com) and pgraham@vrfocus.com

We’ll be back next Sunday, as usual at 3PM BST with more roles in the VR industry as part of The VR Job Hub.