meta quest gaming showcase – Page 4 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

April 20, 2022

Sci-fi Puzzle Sequel Red Matter 2 is a Meta Quest 2 Exclusive

Today’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase has been filled with surprises and none more so than Vertical Robot’s unveiling of Red Matter 2. The original Red Matter came to PC VR headsets in 2018, offering an engrossing mix of puzzles and a creepy sci-fi atmosphere. Vertical Robot will expand upon this premise whilst bringing the title to Meta Quest 2 exclusively.

Red Matter 2 will be a direct sequel so if you haven’t played the original and don’t want any story spoilers look away now: “After breaking free from the simulation that held your own mind hostage, your first priority is to escape the AtlanticUnion’s base. However, you unexpectedly discover a distress signal belonging to an old friend. Determined to come to his rescue, you will travel to the farthest reaches of the solar system to find him,” the new synopsis explains.

Whilst the first game was all about building an intense atmosphere with an almost horror-like element but without any scares, Red Matter 2 will be dropping in some action. New mechanics like the jet pack will see you traversing environmental puzzles whilst the controller designed tool can turn into a weapon to shoot enemies.

Talking about some of the features that have gone into Red Matter 2, Vertical Robot’s Norman Schaar said in a statement: “We just can’t wait for players to feast their eyes on the incredible graphics that we’ve succeeded in creating, thanks to our tremendous efforts in optimizing for Meta Quest 2. We believe immersion is key, and have therefore developed a fully ‘physicalized’ world to maximize this sense of immersion, while also enabling us to create exciting new gameplay possibilities around it.”

What’s great to hear is that Red Matter 2 is going to be bigger and feature more content than its predecessor. Because that was one of the main issues in the original, there just wasn’t enough of it with gmw3’s four-star review of Red Matter saying: “All in all, Red Matter is a very high calibre VR experience, neatly weaving its story and puzzle elements together. It is by no means perfect, following the line of other puzzles in VR that are seemingly unable to offer plenty of reasons to come back for more. So like a good meal take it slowly and savour the moment.”

Red Matter 2 is currently slated for a Summer 2022 launch on Meta Quest 2, so as further details are announced gmw3 will get back to you.

April 20, 2022

‘Espire 2’ Announced for Quest 2, Return to the World of High-tech Espionage

Image courtesy Digital Lode, Tripwire Interactive

At today’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, the team behind Espire 1: VR Operative (2019) announced the spy-themed stealth shooter is getting a sequel.

Called Espire 2, publisher Tripwire Interactive and Digital Lode call it a “bigger-and-better sequel,” with launch on Quest 2 slated for November 2022.

“Your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to ultimately locate and stop the launch of an untraceable, supersonic missile, a true doomsday device,” the studios says. “Wield an array of high-tech gadgets as you go behind enemy lines and try to save the world for a second time.”

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Espire 2 is also set to feature what Digital Lode calls “an entirely separate co-op campaign, with unique missions set in familiar Espire 1 locations.”

Set in the same world as Espire 1 (check out our full review here), the game lets you ‘pilot’ a deadly Espire Model 1 Operative espionage droid, which lets you operate it remotely from the safety of the Control Theatre.

Set in the year 2036, Espire 2 marks the return of Espire Agent POE, who emerges from a seven-year coma.

“POE is thrust back into the world of dark espionage as the centerpiece of the Espire project,” the studio says. “Now, with the help of two bleeding-edge droids called “Frames”, and an all-new arsenal of weapons and tools, POE must embark on a mission to eliminate the global threat imposed by the deadly terrorist organization, OPHIS.”

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April 20, 2022

‘Red Matter 2’ Announced for Quest 2, Promising to Deliver the “best graphics on mobile VR to date”

Today during the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, developer Vertical Robot announced Red Matter 2 for Quest 2, the sequel to its 2018 PC VR game which was eventually ported to Quest. Not only does the studio say the gameplay is expanding further into the adventure genre over just puzzling, but it also claims it will deliver the “best graphics on mobile VR to date.”

The original Red Matter launched back in 2018 on PC VR where it found a very positive reception but remained largely in the cult-favorite category. When developer Vertical Robot eventually ported the game to the original Quest in 2019, it stood out as one of the best looking titles on the headset thanks to the care the studio took in optimizing the game to run on Quest’s diminutive hardware.

This time around the studio seems to be building Red Matter 2 from the ground up for the even more powerful Quest 2 (and won’t have the overhead of trying to cram a game originally made for PC VR onto standalone VR hardware).

To that end the studio is throwing down the gauntlet, saying it plans to deliver the “best graphics on mobile VR to date.” And while the game’s announcement trailer (below) is probably captured on PC, assuming the studio has made a good-faith effort to show what Red Matter 2 will really look like on Quest 2… well, consider us impressed.

But Red Matter 2 promises to be more than just pretty graphics. While the original was largely a narrative-puzzle game, the studio says the sequel has “expanded the gameplay into the adventure genre.”

“[Vertical Robot] have crafted a rich narrative-driven adventure with excellent voice-over work and new gameplay mechanics. Not only will you face brand new and challenging puzzles, but thanks to a new jetpack you will be able to traverse the game’s incredible environments more freely than ever before through platforming sections,” the studio says. “A new tool has been added to the classic loadout that will enable you to hack terminals, as well as a (projectile) weapon that will prove useful in various environmental puzzles as well as in combat. Yes! Red Matter 2 features some action as well.”

Beyond that, the studio says Red Matter 2 will include a heavy emphasis on physics objects.

“We believe immersion is key, and have therefore developed a fully ‘physicalized’ world to maximize this sense of immersion, while also enabling us to create exciting new gameplay possibilities around it,” says Vertical Robot co-Founder and Technical Artist Norman Schaar.

'Red Matter 2' Screenshots

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Red Matter 2 is planned to launch on Quest 2, though it’s not clear if the game will also find its way to the original Quest or PC VR as the original game did (though we’ve reached out for more info). There’s no specific release date yet for Red Matter 2, but Meta has said that all the games announced during the Quest Gaming Showcase would be out ‘within the next year’ (though we’re not clear if that means in 2022 or ‘in the next 12 months). We’ve reached out for clarification.

The post ‘Red Matter 2’ Announced for Quest 2, Promising to Deliver the “best graphics on mobile VR to date” appeared first on Road to VR.

April 20, 2022

Among Us VR Brings Space Sleuthing to Headsets Holiday 2022

Among Us was a huge hit for developer Innersloth when the videogame launched in 2018, eventually arriving on most platforms. In December it was revealed that virtual reality (VR) headsets wouldn’t miss out either, with an immersive version being built by I Expect You to Die studio Schell Games. As part of the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase today, Among Us VR has been given a “Holiday 2022” launch window.

Innersloth, Schell Games, and Robot Teddy are collaborating on the project which won’t simply be a port of the original version. Among Us VR is being rebuilt from the ground up for VR and described as a “stand-alone experience” so it won’t be compatible with any other version of the videogame.

However, thanks to Schell Games’ VR experience, it’ll still stay true to the original’s aesthetic and gameplay style whilst ensuring plenty of immersive action. So there will be plenty of teamwork and betrayal for the 4 – 10 players Among Us VR will support, complete with voice and text chat capabilities.

“We are so excited that our community will be able to experience Among Us VR later this year,” said Victoria Tran, Community Director for Innersloth in a statement. “Crewmates across the world will feel right at home in the VR version of the Skeld and are sure to enjoy the tension and thrills an immersive experience offers. Our team has had fun testing Among Us VR throughout the development process, and we can’t wait for the community to put on their headsets and play.”

“Our team works closely with Innersloth and Robot Teddy to stay true to the characteristics the community loves about Among Us,” said CEO Jesse Schell. “Adapting this title to the virtual reality space presents interesting challenges, like not making the game too scary, and wonderful opportunities, like modifying voice chat capabilities, to create an engaging experience that holds true to the original vision of the game.”

That Holiday 2022 launch window is for Meta Quest 1 & 2 and PC VR headsets. A PlayStation VR2 version is also in the works, slated to land at the same time as the headset. For continued updates from the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, keep reading gmw3.

April 20, 2022

‘I Expect You to Die’ Developer Schell Games Signs With Meta for Three New Quest Games in Next Two Years

Veteran developer Schell Games, behind well known VR titles like I Expect You to Die and Until You Fall, announced today it has signed with Meta to deliver three new Quest games in the next two years.

Schell Games is one of VR’s most experienced developers, with at least seven titles under its belt, including some very well known in the VR space like I Expect You to Die and Until You Fall.

And though Schell Games released its latest game, I Expect You to Die 2, less than a year ago and is currently in development of Among Us VR, the studio is committing to developing even more VR games.

Today during the Quest Gaming Showcase, Schell Games announced it has partnered with Meta to deliver three “brand new titles” to Quest over the next two years. Though specifics of the deal weren’t revealed, presumably Meta will act as the publisher behind all three titles (which likely means the company will provide funding and other assistance).

“In 2016, we released I Expect You To Die—our first original title to land on the Oculus Rift. Over the past eight years, we’ve released or recently announced several additional titles for Meta Platforms,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games. “We are grateful for the partnership we have built with the team at Meta and the way their work has helped developers like us grow in the VR industry.”

Though there’s no info at this time on what the studio might be cooking up for those three unannounced Quest games, we’ve got some good guesses.

I Expect You to Die and its sequel have been pretty well received over the years, making a third entry a pretty safe bet for the studio. Less sure—but something we’d love to see—is a sequel to Until You Fall, a criminally underrated VR melee combat game that’s been begging for a broader scope since the very beginning. Though the game wasn’t a blockbuster when it first launched on PC VR, Schell Games eventually brought it to Quest where it has done pretty well since… well enough that the studio just recently gave the game its first major update (which added two-handed weapons) in quite some time.

As for the third unannounced title… what do you think (or hope) it might be? A sequel? A brand new IP? Let us know in the comments below!

The post ‘I Expect You to Die’ Developer Schell Games Signs With Meta for Three New Quest Games in Next Two Years appeared first on Road to VR.

April 20, 2022June 9, 2022

‘Among Us VR’ Trailer Shows Off Tasks, Emergency Meetings & Some Very Sus Behavior

Party game sensation Among Us is getting a full-blown VR version, and now the studios behind the game released a new gameplay video that shows off some of its day-one launch features.

Update (June 9th, 2022): Innersloth, Schell Games, and Robot Teddy released a new gameplay trailer (above and below this update) which shows off a bit more of the game’s madcap party chaos, including a few of the jobs you’ll need to do to keep yourself above suspicion. The studios also released a number of features coming to the game at launch:

The Skeld II Map

A selection of hats to customize Crewmates

Core Among Us gameplay systems translated to VR, such as tasks, sabotages, emergency meetings, and venting

Proximity voice chat and Quickchat

Single and two-handed locomotion modes with nausea-mitigating comfort options

Localization in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (LATAM), Chinese (traditional and simplified), Japanese, and Korean

You can also now wishlist Among Us VR on Quest 2 and SteamVR headsets, and join the game’s Discord server (invite link). There’s still no word on when it’s coming to PSVR 2, but then again, we still have no idea when the headset will release.

Original Article (April 20th, 2022): Today during the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase veteran VR developer Schell Games revealed the first look at Among Us VR gameplay.

And although it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect if you played the original top-down version of the game, I’ve gotta say—the trailer really sells how much more intense the game could be in immersive VR.

If you’ve never played the original, Among Us is a party game where a group of 4–10 players are stuck on a spaceship while trying to figure out who among them is the ‘imposter’. The imposter’s goal is to kill all the other players without getting found out. The other players take votes on who is the imposter and have to work together to smoke them out before it’s too late.

The game’s basic 2D graphics are just a backdrop to the star of the show which is the fun social dynamics, teamwork, and betrayal that emerge from the simple premise. But in VR, the game is likely to feel much more personal… and maybe even a bit scary as you hear the pitter-patter of footsteps behind you and wonder whether you’re about to see a friendly face or meet your doom.

Though the trailer above makes it clear that Among Us VR will stick closely to the layout and essence of the original map, we still haven’t gotten a good look at how the ‘tasks’ will play in VR. It’s not clear yet if the developer will simply adopt the original tasks, create new ones specific to VR, or something in between. We also don’t know if all of the original game’s maps will make it to the VR version of just a subset of them. We’ve reached out to the studio for more info.

We’ll have to wait a little while yet if we want to find out first hand—Schell Games says Among Us VR is set for a holiday 2022 release date on Quest to and Oculus PC. The game is also set to launch on PSVR 2 whenever the headset ends up launching.

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April 20, 2022

VR’s First Official NFL Game ‘NFL PRO ERA’ Makes You the Quarterback, Coming to Quest & PSVR Fall 2022

During Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase today, we finally caught a glimpse of VR’s first official NFL game, NFL PRO ERA, which promises to let you QB for your favorite team as you make your path to the Super Bowl.

Developers StatusPRO unveiled NFL PRO ERA today for the first time, VR’s first officially-licensed NFL game. In NFL PRO ERA, you take the role of quarterback, and participate in games and drills, but also the ability to play catch virtually with your friends online in your favorite NFL stadium.

StatusPRO says NFL PRO ERA is slated to arrive at some point in Fall 2022 on Meta Quest and PlayStation VR.

NFL Pro Era’s first trailer, which was released today during the showcase, features an up-close view from NFL quarterback Lamar Jackson’s perspective, and pre-alpha gameplay set to a voiceover from acclaimed hip hop artist and former NFL draft prospect Tobe Nwigwe.

“Utilizing player data was a must-have to create a truly authentic NFL player experience,” said Troy Jones, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of StatusPRO. “We felt today’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase provided the perfect opportunity for StatusPRO to share a sneak peek of NFL PRO ERA. Through our product, fans will feel the excitement of what it’s like to be an NFL quarterback such as Lamar Jackson and stare in the face of a pass rush while maintaining command of the offense. Fans will get to experience the energy of thousands of fans cheering in their favorite stadium, while gaining a new appreciation for what it takes to compete at the highest level.”

The post VR’s First Official NFL Game ‘NFL PRO ERA’ Makes You the Quarterback, Coming to Quest & PSVR Fall 2022 appeared first on Road to VR.

April 20, 2022

‘The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners’ Sequel Coming to Quest 2 & PCVR Later This Year, Trailer Here

Image courtesy Skydance Interactive, Skybound

It’s been a little over two years since The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020) shambled onto VR headsets, serving up 20+ hours of zombie-slaying nightmare fuel. Now the developers are unveiling more of the upcoming standalone sequel, Chapter 2: Retribution.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution lets you continue your journey through the post-apocalyptic world of New Orleans, one that studio says is “even more dangerous than before.”

Unveiled during the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, we learned that means we can expect fewer resources, more walkers, and what Skydance Interactive calls “a new and bloodthirsty threat that will hunt you across the city.” That sounds like some added pressure to keep you on your toes.

Playing again as ‘the Tourist’, the game is said to feature an original storyline, more patented freedom of choice, and plenty of visceral combat and opportunities for bone-splitting melee.

Chapter 2: Retribution is coming later this year to Quest 2 and PCVR headsets. The studio says other VR platforms will be announced at a later date.

The post ‘The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners’ Sequel Coming to Quest 2 & PCVR Later This Year, Trailer Here appeared first on Road to VR.

April 20, 2022

First Trailer Drops for The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution

Today’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase has been filled with superb virtual reality (VR) content announcements and here’s another. Initially unveiled at the beginning of the year, Skydance Interactive has released the first (non-teaser) trailer for The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution.

Continuing the story from the successful 2020 videogame, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution puts you back in the shoes of The Tourist – who’s becoming less of a tourist now – trying to survive the post-apocalyptic streets of New Orleans. There will be a new original storyline for fans to enjoy, alongside the same freedom of choice and visceral combat the videogame is known for.

Part cinematic and part gameplay, the new trailer starts with a very dramatic introduction and monologue from a “new and powerful threat”. Chapter 2: Retribution looks to be even more hardcore zombie survival than the last, promising more zombies and even fewer resources. As you can see from the second half of the trailer, there are tons of zombie’s heads to pop, whack a big knife in or as the first teaser image highlighted, a big ol’ chainsaw to wield.

Zombies were never the only problem to deal with in New Orleans, there are still warring survivor factions to either help or kill, completing side missions to unlock valuable items and recipes. Skydance Interactive hasn’t said what new craftables or items are set to feature in the sequel.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners became one of the must-have survival VR games when it launched two years ago, going on to add extras like the Aftershocks update whilst achieving $50 million in revenue. In its review of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners gmw3 said: “From the very beginning, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners offers a satisfying zombie experience that’s hard to match. Titles like Arizona Sunshine easily fill that need for straight-up arcade action, for when you want a living dead apocalypse with a bit more depth then The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is your new go-to videogame.”

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution will be coming to Meta Quest 2 and PC VR headsets in 2022. Other headsets are to be announced, so considering the original did make its debut on PlayStation VR, a PlayStation version may also be on the cards. Check out the new trailer below and when more details are available, gmw3 will let you know.

April 20, 2022

Mark Zuckerberg To Share ‘Exciting News’ At Quest Showcase Today

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will share some “exciting news” at the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase later today.

Zuckerberg teased as much on his Facebook page last night, complete with a picture of a segment the CEO is presumably filming for the show today.”Sharing some exciting news tomorrow at the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase,” Zuckerberg wrote. “Stay tuned for some new game reveals.”

Given this is a gaming showcase, it’s likely that Zuckerberg’s tease is for a piece of VR content rather than hardware or new platform features. The Showcase kicks off at 10am PT and is expected to provide updates on Among Us VR, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2, Cities VR and more. We’ll also see some reveals from the makers of Espire 1: VR Operative and Boneworks. It’s not clear if Zuckerberg is alluding to any of those previously-teased reveals or might be teasing something else.

Given Meta itself now owns five VR gaming studios — Beat Games, Sanzaru Games, Downpour Interactive, BigBox VR and Ready At Dawn — it’s possible Zuckerberg might have an update on one of those teams to share. He previously accidentally revealed that Onward 2 is in the works, for example. Or perhaps we might hear an update on one of Meta’s existing partnerships? VR versions of Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are all planned.

Whatever it is, we’ll be sure to bring you the headlines as soon as they hit. We’ll be streaming the Showcase ourselves right here. Make sure to be back at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm BT for all of the latest coverage.