Category: steam vr

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SteamVR are Resolving The Resolution Problem

In order to fully enjoy a PC-based virtual reality (VR) experience, users need a high-end graphics card, such as an Nvidia GeForce 1060 or higher. These cards have seen prices rise and supplies grow low due to demand from cryptocurrency miners. SteamVR have a potential solution for this, which allows lower-end graphics cards to support VR experiences.

The new SteamVR Auto Resolution feature allows users to extract the best performance out of their GPU, and potentially brings VR into reach of people who are unable to afford very high-end cards.

SteamVR runtime measures the speed of the GPU ad then instructs applications to render at the best resolution based upon the available power of the GPU. Many users are not currently able to get the best out of their graphics cards, without needing to spend time manually setting resolution or other graphics settings.

Users who have powerful cards may see their VR experiences be improved as the SteamVR runtime enables higher resolution. Conversely, users with less powerful cards that might be struggling with some of the more visually demanding VR experiences will see images rendered at a lower resolution to lower the demand on the GPU. This resolution will never be rendered any lower than the native resolution of the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.

The developers at Steam say this de-couples the requirement to upgrade your GPU at the same time as a VR headset, making the relationship between a headset and graphics card closer to a PC monitor and graphics card.

The resolution update applies to all SteamVR compatible headsets, including the HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift and all Windows Mixed Reality headsets. This update also gives developers of VR content an easier time, as it will no longer be necessary for developers to re-optimise an application when a new headset is added to the SteamVR compatibility list.

HTC Vive Pro

The new feature is currently in Beta, and can be made available to users by opting in to the SteamVR Beta. This can be found in the Tools menu in the Steam Library. VRFocus will bring you further updates on new SteamVR features as it becomes available.

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Unreal Engine 4.19 Introduces New and Improved VR and AR Features

Unreal Engine is one of the most poplar and versatile videogame engines, and has seen use in a huge range of titles in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The newest update brings in some improvements and new features for VR and AR developers and creators.

The newest version of Unreal Engine features improvements created by the team at Epic Games, who created Unreal Engine, but also many submissions from the expansive and dedicated Unreal user community.

Unreal Engine 4 VR Editor

New features devoted towards VR and AR development include features such as the Unified Unreal AR Framework. This framework allows for AR apps for both Apple and Android mobile devices to have a single development path. This allows developers to be able to use a single code base for apps, instead of having to build two different versions of an app for the two different mobile platforms.

The Unified Unreal AR Framework includes functions that support Alignment, Light Estimation, Pinning, Session State, Trace Results, and Tracking. Similarly, the Unified Unreal AR Framework Project Template has been introduced, which provides the HandheldAR Blueprint, providing a complete example project to demonstrate the new functionality.

The Live Link function provides a common interface for streaming ad bringing in animation data from outside Unreal engine, such as Motion Capture rigs. With Unreal Engine 4.19 Live Link can now capture information from motion controllers, such as the Oculus Touch or HTC Vive wands.

The release notes also confirm that all Unreal Engine 4 functions compatible with SteamVR is also compatible with the forthcoming HTC Vive Pro. No modifications are needed to port an Unreal engine 4 project to HTC Vive Pro, but developers will need to check the performance of the project as the HTC Vive Pro operates with a higher resolution.

A full list of release notes and changes to Unreal engine 4.19 is available on the Unreal Engine blog. The new version of the engine is available to creators and developers now. VRFocus will bring you further updates on Unreal Engine as it becomes available.

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PC VR Owners Rejoice As Skyrim VR Comes to Steam

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most popular videogames of the modern era, and has seen a host of re-releases, including the recent release in virtual reality (VR) on PlayStation VR. Owners of the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift who may have felt left out by the release can now celebrate as Bethesda have announced that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR will be coming to SteamVR.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR will be made available on Steam for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality, and is listed with a release date of 3rd April, 2018. A price point has not yet been confirmed.

Skyrim VR: VRFocus' Adventuring Life screenshot

It is not currently known how to move to PC will change the title, though it is clear that some changes will need to be made to accommodate the Oculus Touch, HTC Vive wands and Windows motion controllers, and to allow for room-scale immersion.

The release of Skyrim VR on PlayStation VR largely received a positive reception, with the release containing the entire core game, as well as the official expansions, Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn, all of which have been moved into VR for players to explore.

The major criticism of the title’s release on PlayStation VR concerned its control system, which though it was designed for VR, the default configuration relied on teleport movement and snap turning, which was not to the taste of all players. Bethesda later added smooth turning, and made the ability to access other movement settings made clear to users.

Most critics are expecting that the additional motion and comfort options will be included in the SteamVR release to accommodate the advantages that PC motion VR controllers have over the PlayStation Move systems.

Skyrim VR: VRFocus' Adventuring Life screenshot

Further information can be found on the Steam store page, and you can check out the VRFocus said in its review of the PlayStation VR version which said: “A huge adventure lies in every direction and the player is free to go about whatever business they choose, however they choose to do so. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the closest VR has yet come to a truly free role-playing experience.”

Further news on upcoming VR releases will continue to be reported on VRFocus.

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Hatsune Miku VR Dances onto HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

The virtual Japanese idol Hatsune Miku is now on Steam with the release of her latest virtual reality (VR) title, Hatsune Miku VR.

Hatsune Miku VR

Hatsune Miku VR brings the hit Japanese rhythm game to PC for the first time and in VR. Using motion controllers, players need to catch the melody symbols as they fly from the speakers at the back of the stage. This sounds simple enough but will sure become a challenging task as the symbols become faster, songs become longer and the rhythm is harder to stay in beat with. All of this happens as the lovely Hatsune Miku sings and dances in front of players in bright and cheerful stages.

Players are also able to enjoy the show up close and personal as the included Music Video mode means you can watch Hatsune Miku sing and dance without needing to catch the notes. Thanks to VR, this is the closest that players have ever gotten to the virtual idol before and it will bring the feeling of a live concerts in your own home to life.

Hatsune Miku VR screenshot2

The initial release of Hatsune Miku VR includes a total of eight songs, with two difficulties levels, with popular titles such as:

  • Ievan Polkka (by Otomania)
  • Singularity (by keisei)
  • Amagoi Miseinen (by Wada Takeaki ‘Kurage P’)
  • Sharing The World (by BIGHEAD)
  • Senbonzakura (by 黒うさＰ)
  • SLoWMoTIoN (by PinocchioP)

As with any Hatsune Miku title players can expect a number of new songs to be added in the future in the way of DLC add-on packs.

In additional to the release the previously announced giveaway competition is still going. This gives fans a chance to win tickets to the USA & Mexico Miku Expo 2018 concerts as the top prize, with Hatsune Miku figures and Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2017 Blu-ray DVD up for grabs as well. To enter the giveaway competition and to learn more, head over to the Hatsune Miku VR Giveaway page now.

Hatsune Miku VR is now available on Steam with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. For more on the virtual idol and Hatsune Miku VR in the future, keep reading VRFocus.

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Play Mindshow For Free And Win Yourself $25 On Steam

We love getting creative in virtual reality (VR). Whether it’s dancing along to our favourite songs or literally creating dreams and wishes, we love being able to express ourselves, and few experiences allow for that kind of expressive experience quite like Mindshow. Mindshow is a VR application where you can create all kinds of CGI animations all within the HTC Vive head-mounted display (HMD) and it’s way easier than learning to animate CG models anywhere else.

Now, Mindshow are running a small competition where you can win a $25 Steam gift card – ooh la la! They’ve kept the instructions for the competition pretty simple, as all you need to do is…

  • Add Mindshow as a friend on Steam (if you haven’t already) so you can view the shows in the Feed.
  • Look for shows labeled “2Improvatar[1-3].” Open each one, respond to the prompt, and have fun!
  • When you’re done with each show, select the yellow gear icon on the hand menu and click “Share.” It’ll be uploaded to the Feed for us to film and compile into one episode (like the embedded example above).

Produced by the Mindshow community, Improvatar is a game show for avatars that the Mindshow community can get involved in using VR Sharing. The first episode already includes a selection of users in the Mindshow community and you can get your own entries in now in order to win the jackpot of $25.

We’ve looked at Mindshow before on VRFocus, and the interesting and intuitive ways that users can customise and create their own animations is truly fascinating. Hopefully the competition will encourage more people to download and use Mindshow, and get involved in Improvatar, since it’s free to play.

You can download Mindshow right here for free for HTC Vive on Steam VR. It’s still in early access for now, but clearly the developers are looking to the community in order to ascertain what they should be adding and adjusting next.

In all seriousness, $25 might not be much but it’s more than enough reason to give a free to play game a try. Improvatar looks like an interesting way to enjoy communal VR, and if it gets people invested in creating animations and more in VR then it’s well worth it. For more on Mindshow, make sure to keep reading VRFocus.

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Something For The Weekend: DOOM VFR, Fallout 4 And Gal*Gun VR, All On Sale Now

The weekend is here again, and once again we’ve got a big bundle of videogames for you to ogle. These are all on sale and you might not see them this cheap again for a while, so if you’re looking for something light on the wallet but with plenty of entertainment value, take a look below.

This week we’ve got Fallout 4 VR, DOOM VFR, Skyfront VR, Gal*Gun VR and a bunch more, so browse below for everything you could’ve ever wanted from your virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD).

Skyfront VR

Skyfront VR screenshot

VR videogames often need new modes of locomotion, and Skyfront VR tackles that problem while leaving all the others in the dust. Shoot to move, shoot to shoot and hunt down your enemies in a fully 3D environment you can fly around.

Skyfront VR is now only £9.29.

Batman: Arkham VR

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Become the Bat. In this adventure with the caped crusader you really feel like the world’s greatest detective as your piece together crime scenes using his advanced technology.

Batman: Arkham VR is now £8.99.

Gal*Gun VR

Gal*Gun VR screenshot

Bring girls to euphoria and spread your pheromones in one of the most questionable VR titles that will send your heart doki doki over a bunch of waifus.

Gal*Gun VR is now only £15.40.

Eagle Flight

If you haven’t heard of Eagle Flight then you’re in for a world of pure wonder as you feel the adrenaline from swooping through town, cities and forests.

Eagle Flight is now £17.49.

Superhot VR

superhot vr - first screenshots 8

Feel your heart beat in your ears in what has to be the most intense shooter in VR. Your movements effect time itself in this high octane gunslinger.

Superhot VR is now £12.72.

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality

rick and morty 1

If you’ve been eager to hold a plumbus in your own hand, then this Rick and Morty VR experience is pretty much essential – and somehow, the events are even canon to show. Now that’s schwifty!

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality is now £16.09.

Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope

Serious Sam is our last hope. Again. The guy is just never done shooting down alien scum, and in this game they just won’t stop charging at him, leaving you to smash through waves of alien creatures while shooting countless bullets.

Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope is now £14.99.

Fallout 4 VR

Fallout 4 VR screenshot

You’ve already played in the world of Fallout 4, but have you played in VR? Strapping in to the HTC Vive gives Fallout 4 a completely different vibe from what you’ve experienced before, as you shoot down mutants in the most immersive way yet.

Fallout 4 VR is now £27.99.

DOOM VFR

DOOM VFR screenshot

DOOM VFR might look familiar, but it’s not just the game you’ve already played. A brand new campaign built just for VR, with incredible new movement options and some massive weapons. If you need more demon slaying, this is the best place for it.

DOOM VFR is now £13.99.

To The Top

This game is all explained in the title. Use your hands to climb and bounce yourself through a variety of stages that’ll see you inside volcanoes and hovering over massive gaps. Not one for vertigo sufferers.

To The Top is now £11.39.

We collate all the best sales and cheap videogames every weekend here on VRFocus, so make sure to check back for even more offers next week at the same time!

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Something For The Weekend: Great Steam VR Games, Space Exploration, Sci Fi Shooting And More

Ah another week is over and you need to get away into the virtual world for a few hours, right? We completely understand, which is why we’ve got a big list of brand new discounts you can take advantage of to get some new software for you virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD).

Just take a look below for all of the best offers on Steam VR, and check back on VRFocus every week for more great offers.

FORM

FORM-L-Screenshot-06

In this world, puzzles are built from dreams and memories and you must piece them together to understand the truth. The world morphs around you as you explore existence itself.

FORM is now £6.59.

Vector 36

Vector 36

Race across the surface of Mars in an incredible floating vehicle called a Skimmer. Pilot different vehicles as you race on the surface of the red planet. Don’t crash if you want to survive this extraterrestrial racer.

Vector 36 is now only £12.15.

Unknightly

In a medieval world you’re without fancy gadgets and technology, so your best friend is old fashioned stealth tactics. Hide away on rafters and quietly hunt down those that banished you from the Knight’s Order.

Unknightly is now only £9.29.

The Unwelcomed

the unwelcomed

What’s the best thing to do when you’re somewhere you’re not welcome? That’s right, leave. Except that’s a bit more difficult in an escape room scenario. Your late uncle’s mansion is not as cosy as it first seems…

The Unwelcomed is now £7.69.

Cat Sorter VR

Cat Sorter VR Screen_03

What’s the best pet in the world, certifiably much better than dogs? That’s right, it’s cats. In Cat Sorter VR, you’ll be surrounded by the furry fiends and will have to organise your kitty inventory…

Cat Sorter VR is now £3.99.

Show Must Go On

show must go on

Here you’ll feel like a superstar as you jump onto the stage and hit the beat. As you puncture the bubbles you’ll play with and feel the rhythm, and fill your stage with lights and music.

Show Must Go On is now only £5.49.

Galactic Core: The Lost Fleet

galactic core lost fleet

Guide the lost fleet back home with your shooting skills – after you crash land, protect your team and destroy waves of aliens on a mysterious world. Making it home alive is going to require teamwork.

Galactic Core: The Lost Fleet is now £1.43.

MIMIC

mimic

Memorize the path forward as quickly as possible to reach the finish, otherwise you’re doomed. Take your time and only step on the right blocks otherwise you will fall, and it’s a long way down.

MIMIC is now £7.40.

Reficul

reciful

Ready to get spooked in VR? Well Reciful is here to give you an experience you won’t soon forget. Everywhere has been plunged it darkness, and you must use your simple torch to move through the world, shoot enemies and survive.

Reciful is now £7.49.

VRZ: Torment

VRZ Torment screenshot 2

Zombies suck. But far more concerning is the news that zombies bite. You don’t want to have to deal with that. As such in VRZ: Torment you’ll be fighting off hordes of the undead with a variety of weapons. Oh, there’s ghosts too.

VRZ: Torment is now £4.31.

For all of the latest offers and deals, check back on VRFocus every week.

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See These Flashy New Screenshots For Fantasy Combat Videogame, Inferno: Deathfield

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a battle mage, fighting through waves of demons in a satanic monument to man’s hubris, then oh boy, we’ve got the perfect game for you. Inferno: Deathfield has hit Steam Early Access, and now we’ve got a bunch of brand new screenshots for you to peruse. The virtual reality (VR) videogame will take players on a new journey filled with all hell has to offer.

The story follows the chosen warrior who must liberate humanity from the grips of Lucifer, the King of the Underworld. He’s raging again after aeons in exile, and is unleashing demons on humanity. Luckily, so naturally the chosen warrior (that’s you, the player) has to put him back in his place and save humanity. You’ll be swinging your sword and firing off a crossbow to take down waves of demonic forces, and player skills and abilities will swing the fight in your favour.

We reported on the videogame coming to early access, which you can purchase right now – though, as with all early access titles, you should be aware that what you’re buying is likely an incomplete work in progress.

The developers say on the videogame’s Steam page that they expect it to take yet another 4 to 6 months of early access development to complete a full release, though they also say that the exact direction their full release takes will depend on community feedback from early adopters.

Despite the early access nature of the title, the screenshots we have in a gallery below are incredibly promising, displaying some of the visuals and attacks you’ll be able to wield in VR. Many of the gothic, forboding locations are certainly atmospheric even in screenshot form, so you can imagine the immersive atmosphere when you strap on a VR head-mounted display (HMD).

Currently Inferno: Deathfield is only available for use on HTC Vive, and there’s no word on whether that will change in the future. Regardless it looks promising, and you can keep reading VRFocus for all of the latest news on VR videogames and experiences, high fantasy or otherwise, such as Inferno: Deathfield.














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The Perfect Sniper has Launched on Steam VR

Crime doesn’t pay. Unless you don’t get caught, in which case, it can pay handsomely, and as an enterprising youth with a need for cash in the wallet, crime seems like a sensible idea. In a world with corrupt politicians and police, crime is really the only option. In The Perfect Sniper, you’ll become the morally ambiguous hero the city needs.

the perfect sniper

We’ve seen a fair few virtual reality (VR) shooters and sniping games already, such as The Last Sniper which takes you to World War II with HTC Vive. The Perfect Sniper has shot onto Steam VR today, and you can play it with a variety of VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) since it supports HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality devices. The game will be coming to PlayStation VR, too, for console VR fans.

The storyline is that the Romano family has taken over the city, and with all the politicians and police under their influences, the only person who can deliver justice is apparently a man or woman with a sniper rifle.

The videogame’s store page describe The Perfect Sniper as a “stylised, story-driven and action-packed VR videogame,” so that’s always promising. You’ll be doing more than just camping on a rooftop though, as in the trailers we see car chase shootouts, target practice sessions, helicopter missions and more.

The polygonal graphics and cityscapes certainly are striking, and the variety of mission choices handily mix up many VR sniper titles, which often expect you to stand static while shooting at targets.

The developers list “Lots of Fan Request Implementation” on the videogame’s Steam store page, so we can only assume that fan feedback has, and hopefully will continue to be taken on board and implemented into the videogame through updates.

The Perfect Sniper is another great VR videogame for shooting fans, and is sure to satisfy many with the variety of modes and interesting stylised graphics. We’ll keep you updated on The Perfect Sniper and more VR videogames coming in the future, so keep reading VRFocus for all of the latest news, reviews and previews of the latest VR titles.

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Shoot Down Nutrition in Fruit Attacks VR, Soon on Steam Early Access

Getting your five a day is a tough task. Fruit and vegetables? Five of them? It’s honestly asking a bit much and you can’t be blamed for feeling a deep seated rage against the healthiest of all foods. If you’re one of those out there with a bit of a fruit rage boiling deep inside, then good news, because a juicy new virtual reality (VR) fruit shooter is heading to Steam Early Access, in the form of Fruit Attacks VR.

fruit attacks vr

Fruit Attacks VR is based on the mobile game Fruit Attacks that launched a staggering four years ago – where does the time go? At the time it received over 560,000 downloads and hit the Best New Games category on the iOS App Store in nearly 130 countries. Not bad at all!

As it turns out, Fruit Attacks VR is better than ever for fruit haters, as in it you’ll be going to war against invading fruit aliens, who are outraged by humanity’s urge to eat five a day. As they invade you’ll shoot down waves of aliens while defending Earth’s territory and protecting humanity itself.

Players will pilot three different SATIs, speaker robots who attack with deadly sound waves, sound wave being the only things capable of destroying your fruity nemeses. Using the HTC Vive motion controllers you bend the trajectory of your shots and aim with accuracy, making Fruit Attacks VR a more intense and deep shooting experience than ever before.

This is Nanali Studios’ first venture into VR, after making several successful mobile games, such as Sally’s Law and Time Fish. The game will be hitting Steam Early Access on January 26th, and Nanali Studios expect a full release in the first quarter of this year – so before the end of March, if everything goes to plan.

While it’ll only support HTC Vive at first, they intend to support Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and more in the future.

You can add Fruit Attacks VR to your wishlist now if you’re so inclined, and it’ll be $15. You can take a look at the videogame’s store page here, and see the game in action in the trailer below.

It’s an interesting attempt at VR shooting, but let us know what you think in the comments below, and for all of the latest VR videogames, stay on VRFocus.