One Hamsa, the studio behind VR sports game Racket: NX (2018), announced their next game during Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase today, this time delving into futuristic, physics-based robot fighting.
Called UNDERDOGS, the single player roguelike pits you against a cast of robo-baddies in the underground robot fighting scene, letting you gear up with 100+ items, including power tools like chainsaws and wrecking balls.
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Image courtesy One Hamsa
Image courtesy One Hamsa
Image courtesy One Hamsa
Image courtesy One Hamsa
From the screenshots, it also appears UNDERDOGS is also getting some comic-book style narrative inserts too.
Here’s how One Hamsa describes the game:
[H]ire hackers and saboteurs, hustle and deal with the gangsters and psychos that run these streets as you claw your way up the food chain. This city is a dog-eat-dog s#@^ show, but luckily you ain’t alone. Your little bruv King is in your corner – hacking your enemies and giving you lip while you fight like a wild animal, smashing car sized pit bots that wanna kill you dead to the the deafening roars of the blood thirsty crowds. This is New Brakka – The Mech Fighting Capital of the World.
As a physics-based combat game, it also seems like there’s a fair bit of punching and weapon melee.
You’ll have some time to reorder your space for all the room-scale slashing and bashing. UNERDOGS is slated to hit the Quest Store sometime in early 2024. In the meantime, we’ll be following along with One Hamsa’s Twitter for all of the latest developments on its first post-Racket: NX VR game.
During PlayStation’s State of Play event developer nDreams announced that the long-awaited ghostbusting VR game, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, is set to launch October 26th.
Update (September 15th, 2023): nDreams and publisher Sony Virtual Reality announced Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord finally has a street date: October 26th, 2023.
The game is priced at $55. Pre-ordering on Quest or PSVR 2 gets you the ‘FULL CONTAINMENT EDITION’, which features the full game plus six months of upcoming DLC and bonus content, the studio says. The original article follows below:
Original Article (June 1st, 2023): nDreams, also known for Fracked (2021), Phantom: Covert Ops (2020), and upcoming PSVR 2 exclusive Synapse, also released a new trailer featuring a few snippets of gameplay, showing off some of the game’s four-player co-op in action.
In it, we see some a bunch of the franchise’s iconic stuff, such as proton packs, ghost traps, P.K.E. meters, and even the Ecto-1.
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Image courtesy nDreams, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality
Image courtesy nDreams, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality
Image courtesy nDreams, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality
Image courtesy nDreams, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality
Image courtesy nDreams, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality
If you’re just hearing about Ghostbusters’ first at-home VR title, here’s how the studio describes it:
Strap on your proton pack and step into the world of Ghostbusters in immersive virtual reality. Run your Ghostbusters HQ in a new city, San Francisco, and unravel a rich mystery in a new chapter for the Ghostbusters universe. Wield iconic equipment as you track, blast, and trap ghosts in gripping encounters across an extensive and engrossing campaign. Go it alone, or as a team with up to three friends in co-op to defeat a ghastly new threat – the Ghost Lord. Continue the Ghostbusters’ legacy, protect the city from fiendish ghosts, and experience all the humor and frights from the beloved franchise.
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is set to launch on Quest 2 and PSVR 2 at some point this fall (see update). Notably, the game’s first trailer was captured on PC, so it’s possible we may also see a release on SteamVR as well, although nDreams hasn’t confirmed as much.
In the meantime, you can wishlist the game on PSVR 2 here and Quest 2 here.
Schell Games, the VR veteran behind the I Expect You To Die VR puzzle game series, announced a brand-new title today during Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase that aims to jumpscare the bejesus out of you.
It’s called Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire, and it’s set to launch on Quest 2 and Quest Pro at some point. The studio says a Quest Store page is coming soon, but they haven’t mentioned any release window yet.
Here’s what it’s all about, according to Schell Games:
Put your stealth skills to the test in Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire, a suspenseful single-player, jumpscare game where you must slay vampires in their sleep before they become too powerful to defeat. Carefully crack open vampire coffins, disarm their traps and stake them through the heart to stop an ancient ritual that would make a centuries-old vampire clan all powerful.
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Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
In the trailer we get a brief look at some of the puzzling elements involved, all of which look like they need Operation-level care to execute. Although it’s not shown in the video, it’s probable that solving the puzzles too brashly or quickly may just earn you a vampire screaming in your face—a veritable jack-in-the-box of death.
There’s no telling when it will arrive, although it looks like one of those games that would make a perfect mixed reality counterpart. Maybe when Meta is ready to unleash its promised Quest 3 on the world? Or maybe they’re holding back because it’s going to be featured on Apple’s mixed reality headset, which is very likely debuting on June 5th during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
There’s no telling. In the meantime, we’ll be following along on Schell Games’ Twitter for the latest updates.
Schell Games announced during Meta’s big Quest Gaming Showcase today that I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine is coming in Summer 2023. There’s also a new gameplay trailer to show off the sequel’s spy-flavored, escape room-style puzzling action.
Initially announced in February, Schell Games is bringing the next episode of its critically-acclaimed Bond-style puzzle-adventure to Quest 2 and SteamVR headsets at some point later this year. The studio hasn’t said whether it’s also heading for PSVR 2, although neither of the previous titles have made the jump to PlayStation’s latest headset, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
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Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
Image courtesy Schell Games
In the I Expect You To Die games, the player is tossed into a number of escape room-style puzzles that require sharp wits to defy deadly traps, solve complex object-oriented puzzles, and maneuver your way ever closer to defeating the evil Dr. Zor and his henchmen.
This time around Dr. Zor has a dastardly new scheme, the studio says, pitting you against a new villain, Dr. Roxanne Prism, a former inventor for the agency turned rogue. Dr. Prism is trying to make robot agents and prove they’re superior to their human counterparts.
You can pre-order I Expect You To Die 3 now on Quest and wishlist on SteamVR. The Quest pre-order comes with a 10% discount.
Believe it or not, SEGA isn’t new to VR. After all, the Japanese gaming giant did create (and then cancel) its own VR headset in the early ’90s. While the company has undoubtedly changed over the years, now it seems SEGA is ready to jump back into virtual reality with its very first in-house developed VR game: Samba de Amigo.
Initially launched in Japanese arcades in December 1999, and later on Dreamcast in 2000, Samba de Amigo is getting an immersive overhaul, putting the maracas in your hands as you grove to 40 hit songs from the world’s most popular genres and artists.
You can count on tracks from Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Bon Jovi, Ariana Grande, and more. SEGA says more are music is coming in post-launch DLC too.
Samba de Amigo is arriving both with local single player and multiplayer ‘World Party’ mode, coming alongside the ability to post your rank on online leaderboards. You’ll also be able to customize your character, SEGA says, including unique costumes and accessories.
Here’s how the studio describes the action:
Get ready to shake your maracas when Samba de Amigo comes to VR this fall. Colorful and cute, SEGA’s original Samba de Amigo music rhythm game became a phenomenon when it hit arcades in 1999—and became one of the best reasons to own a Sega Dreamcast a year later.
Now, more than two decades later, an all-new entry in the Samba de Amigo series feels like a natural fit for VR. Dance along to hit songs from the world’s top genres with your monkey-friend Amigo, strike a pose or two, and make your day a little brighter.
Samba de Amigo is coming to Quest 2 and Quest Pro sometime in Fall 2023, with its Store page launching today. There’s no indication when it’s precisely set to arrive, although a flatscreen version for Nintento Switch using the device’s Joy-Con controllers is coming August 28th, 2023, so it may follow closely afterwards.
Meta announced its third annual Quest Gaming Showcase is arriving next month, coming only a few days before Apple’s rumored XR headset announcement at Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Meta is livestreaming the Quest Gaming Showcase on June 1st, a bit unusual for the company, as it traditionally holds the annual event in late April.
Calling it their “biggest celebration of the depth and breadth of content across the Meta Quest Platform yet,” Meta is slated to share over 40 minutes of content, including a brand-new pre-show covering game updates and debut trailers, starting 15 minutes before the show begins.
Meta says to expect new game announcements, gameplay first-looks, updates to existing games, and more. There’s also set to be a post-show developer roundtable, which will feature conversation around upcoming games.
There could be at least one clue to what’s in store, as we get a brief glimpse at a horned helmet in the showcase’s promo video, which seems very much like Loki’s helmet from Rift exclusive Asgard’s Wrath (2019). Maybe Meta’s Sanzaru Games has slimmed down the Norse-inspired RPG?
Meanwhile, previous reports maintain Apple is finally set to unveil its long rumored mixed reality headset during the company’s WWDC keynote, taking place on Monday, June 5th.
Provided Apple indeed plans to announce its headset at WWDC, Meta could be looking to generate so called ‘strategic noise’ to better manage market reactions, and potentially offset any negative sentiment prior to Apple’s expected announcement—undoubtedly slated to be a pivotal moment for the entire XR industry.
Meta recently released its Q1 2023 earnings report, showing a consistent investment of around $4 billion per quarter into its XR division Reality Labs. With Apple rumored to be unveiling their own XR headset and a host of apps, reportedly set to include everything from fitness to VR/AR gaming, Meta may want to showcase where some of that investment is going.
Who knows? We may even hear more about Meta’s promised Quest 3 at the gaming showcase, which the company has confirmed will “fire up enthusiasts” when its released at some point this year, notably targeting a higher price point than its Quest 2 headset.
Returning for a second year, the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase was an event jam-packed with exciting videogame announcements for the headset. With brand new surprises, sequels and updates, the event proved that Quest 2 has a cracking lineup of titles in the works.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
The next instalment in the VR franchise, Skydance Interactive’s The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution continues the narrative from the first game, placing you in a post-apocalyptic New Orleans trying to survive the zombie outbreak. This time around there will be more zombies, a new villain to face and even fewer resources. The game is due out later this year.
Among Us VR
The multiplayer game about teamwork and the imposters trying to kill you all will be coming to Meta Quest 1 & 2 and PC VR headsets this holiday season. Rebuilt for VR by Schell Games, Among Us VR will stay true to the original’s design whilst ensuring plenty of interactive elements purely suited to VR. It will be a “stand-alone experience” due to the overhaul.
Red Matter 2
The atmospheric sci-fi puzzler from 2018 will be getting a sequel this summer Vertical Robot has revealed. Red Matter 2 is going to be bigger and feature more content than its predecessor, adding new mechanics like a jet pack to fly around with whilst injecting some action by giving you enemies to shoot at.
Beat Saber x Electronic Mixtape
The ever-popular Beat Saber will be getting a new song selection adding 10 iconic electronic hits to its track roster as well as a new in-game environment. No release date at the moment but here’s the track list:
Rudimental, “Waiting All Night” (feat. Ella Eyre)
Pendulum, “Witchcraft”
Madeon, “Icarus”
deadmau5, “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” (feat. Rob Swire)
Marshmello, “Alone”
Zedd, “Stay the Night” (feat. Hayley Williams)
Darude, “Sandstorm”
Fatboy Slim, “The Rockafeller Skank”
Bomfunk MC’s, “Freestyler”
Martin Garrix, “Animals”
Moss: Book II
Released on PlayStation VR earlier in April, developer Polyarc will soon be bringing the puzzle adventure to Quest 2. Taking control of Quill once again in a fight against the Arcane, Moss: Book 2features even bigger threats than before, new items to fight and solve puzzles with and new characters to aid your journey.
Resident Evil 4 – The Mercenaries
The only game announcement from the show that’s available right now as a free update, the VR edition of Resident Evil 4 finally gets fan favourite mode The Mercenaries. Giving you the chance to play as several of the characters from the main campaign, the mode is all about racking up as many points as possible before the timer runs out. This VR version also comes with 20 exclusive Challenges that’ll unlock bonuses including Big Head mode and a Golden Gun skin.
Cities: VR
If you’ve been after a city building experience in VR then look no further, Fast Travel Games has remade Paradox Interactive’s Cities: Skylines for the headset. A city management simulator giving you full control over where to place structures, and how to earn and spend money whilst keeping residents have, Cities: VR is due out next week on 28th April.
Bonelab
Stress Level Zero has finally revealed that its fourth VR project is Bonelab, a sequel to Boneworks. Building off of Boneworks‘ physical interaction engine, Marrow, Bonelab is an action-adventure title set within a mysterious underground lab. With physics-driven interactions forming a core part of the gameplay experience Bonelabs will also support player built mods to further expand the content. The game is expected to arrive for Meta Quest 2 and PC VR headsets in 2022.
NFL Pro Era
An officially licensed NFL videogame for VR, NFL Pro Era is all about immersing you in American football as a quarterback. Featuring all 32 NFL teams, the simulator will put you in command of your favourite team, choosing plays and listening to the chatter inside the huddle. NFL Pro Era will be coming to Quest and PlayStation VR in Fall 2022.
Espire 2
Digital Lode’s stealth combat title returns this November, giving you new ways to sneakily kill enemies without them even knowing you were there, or not, depends how you like to play. Espire 2 will feature two new mechanical units to control, one heavier and more robust whilst the other is smaller and nimble, great for staying undetected. In addition to the main campaign, Espire 2 will also include a co-op campaign with a story set between Espire 1 & 2.
RuinsMagus
Unveiled last year, the showcase provided a brand new trailer giving a better look at the upcoming Japanese role-playing game (JRPG). Developed by CharacterBank, RuinsMagus has players investigate the abandoned ruins below the prosperous town of Grand Amnis across 26 story-driven quests, facing powerful and fearless Guardians on route. RuinsMagus is expected to launch later this year.
Crystal Atrium Environment
Not a game but a freebie for Meta Quest nonetheless, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave his quick address inside the new Crystal Atrium environment. You’ll find it under the Personalization tab of the settings menu, then change the virtual environment.
Ghostbusters VR (Working title)
Last but not least was the sneaky peek from Zuckerberg of a new game being worked on by nDreams (Fracked, Phantom: Covert Ops) and Sony Pictures Virtual Reality (SPVR), Ghostbusters VR. Set in San Francisco, Ghostbusters VR will support up to 4-player co-op as you and your friends try to rid the city of ghosts in this original adventure. No timeline for release has been given just yet.
The Ghostbusters franchise has already dipped its toe in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) gaming thanks to projects like Ghostbusters: Dimensionsand Ghostbusters World. To close out the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase yesterday Mark Zuckerberg made a surprise announcement, a Ghostbusters VR videogame is coming to Meta Quest 2.
A collaborative effort between nDreams, Ghost Corps and Sony Pictures Virtual Reality (SPVR), Ghostbusters VR (working title) will be a four-player cooperative adventure. Rather than taking place in its traditional New York location, the VR experience will be set in San Francisco from where you’ll run a new Ghostbusters HQ.
With the iconic proton pack slung on your back you and your friends – or played solo – will be able to track, shot, and trap all manner of ghoulish spectres. All in the name of protecting the city, you’ll also have to solve a compelling and original mystery during the campaign.
“With SPVR, we’ve found the perfect teammates to help bring a boundary-pushing multiplayer game to virtual reality,” says Tomas Gillo, Chief Development Officer, nDreams in a statement. “In addition, our close collaboration with the creators of the Ghostbusters franchise at Ghost Corps, combined with our extensive experience creating rich, tactile and immersive VR will blow gamers and Ghostbusters fans away.”
“If you’re looking to create a big, engaging multiplayer VR game that has to be experienced to be believed, who you gonna call? nDreams,” says Jake Zim, Senior Vice President, Virtual Reality, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “Virtual reality on Quest 2 truly allows us to live out our dream of being a Ghostbuster. The world, the ghosts and the iconic tools and equipment deliver the ultimate VR adventure. And most importantly, busting ghosts with your friends is fun!”
Exclusive to Meta Quest 2 by the sound of it, nDreams hasn’t said when Ghostbusters VR might be arriving. The VR studio does have two other projects arriving a lot faster, with Frackedand Little Cities both scheduled for release next month. For continued updates on Ghostbusters VR, keep reading gmw3.
There has been a deluge of new virtual reality (VR) titles revealed today thanks to the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, some a surprise, others not so. One from the surprise list is Espire 2, a sequel to Digital Lode’s 2019 stealth experience. And like many of the videogames shown during the stream, Espire 2 is just for Meta Quest 2.
Espire 2 continues on from the original putting you in the shoes of Espire Agent POE. However, POE has just awoken from a seven-year coma, and dropped right back into the action but this time with all new toys to play with. In Espire 2 you have two bleeding-edge droids called “Frames” that you can switch between, each with its own special abilities. One is a tank, able to take and dish out punishment from enemies. The other is light and more nimble, great for stealth tactics and nipping through vents.
Digital Lode hasn’t purely created new Espire units to inhabit. There’s a whole new single-player campaign to test out the new kit as well as other gadgets, plus a separate co-op campaign where you and a buddy can play through a narrative bridging the gap between Espire 1 and Espire 2.
You’ll also have greater control over the battlefield with Espire Vision, seeing through walls and marking enemies. Or use voice commands to distract or interrogate the enemy. Then there’s the stealth AI system which has been rebuilt for Espire 2 to ensure a variety of gameplay options.
“We are so excited to finally share a first-ever look at Espire 2, the VR stealth-action sequel of our dreams,” said Digital Lode Founder and Game Director Michael Wentworth-Bell in a statement. “Espire 2 would not be possible without the amazing teams at Meta and the Quest 2 platform, or without our continued publishing partnership with Tripwire Presents, who have believed in our vision from the beginning and continue to guide and mentor our studio. Most importantly, this sequel wouldn’t be happening without the incredible community that has supported Espire 1 since its release two years ago. We thank you, and we hope you will enjoy what we have in store for Espire 2.”
“We are thrilled to be working with Digital Lode and Meta on Espire 2! The team at Digital Lode has embraced fan feedback from Espire 1 and is focused on implementing features that open exciting new ways to play in the sequel,” said Brian Etheridge, Publishing Director at Tripwire. “The new Espire frame offers an entirely new toolset to take on the enemy in Espire 2, while the addition of cooperative multiplayer lets players coordinate with each other to develop dynamic tactics and create awesome memories. The Digital Lode teams are, more than anything, VR super fans and that shows in everything they do!”
Espire 2 is currently slated to arrive this November exclusively for Meta Quest 2. See the videogame in action below and for continued updates on all the latest Quest 2 titles, keep reading gmw3.
