PSVR – Page 3 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

March 22, 2019

PSVR’s Golem Makes Surprise Return At PAX East 2019

It’s been over a year now since the long-anticipated PSVR exclusive, Golem, was delayed at the last minute. Questions about cancellation have spiraled the project since but developer Highware Games has occasionally spoken up to deny them. Well, we’ve got some good news for you; Golem is stepping back into the spotlight at PAX East next weekend.

Golem will be one of seven games Sony is showcasing on PSVR at the Boston show. To be clear, we don’t yet know if this will be a brand new demo for Golem or if it’ll be something older. That said, we don’t recall seeing at the game at any trade shows last year. Even if it is old, its presence at least suggests the game is still very much in the works. It’s quite possible we see an announcement surrounding the project in Sony’s newly-announced State of Play showcase next week, then.

The game casts players as young girl confined to her bedroom. Early on, she discovers the ability to possess gigantic stone golems. Using a single PlayStation Move controller, you explore a new land, taking part in sword battles with similarly massive enemies. Golem was originally scheduled to come out on March 13th 2018 until the delay came just the week before. Such a long delay so close to release was unexpected to say the least.

Elsewhere Sony will be showcasing some promising PSVR games at PAX East. Ghost Giant, Falcon Age, Jupiter & Mars, Space Channel 5 VR, Trover Saves The Universe and Vacation Simulator will all be there. Should be a lot of fun!

Tagged with: Golem, PSVR

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March 22, 2019March 25, 2019

Sony To Make PSVR Announcements In New Nintendo Direct-Style Series

Here’s why Sony is backing out of E3 this year; it has its own Nintendo Direct-style series to replace it.

The PlayStation maker will host the first ‘State of Play’ event on March 25th at 2pm PT/9pm GMT. The show promises to showcase new PS4 and PSVR games. That includes “new trailers, new game announcements and new gameplay footage.” It’ll be aired on Twitch, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook, with a video on demand version following on.

You can watch it on YouTube here at 2PM PT:

We’re hardly surprised to see Sony follow in Nintendo’s footsteps. Late last year the company confirmed it would not be attending E3 in June 2019. That means its traditional press conference isn’t happening either. Last year Sony chose a show where it made fewer announcements and instead spotlighted a slate of already-announced games.

There is speculation that, with this generation of consoles reaching its sixth year, Sony is simply running out of big announcements to make for PS4 games. With Days Gone, The Last of Us 2, Death Stranding, Dreams, Concrete Genie and Ghost of Tsushima all on the way, the company has plenty left for the console’s swan song. These smaller, more direct (sorry) videos, might make more sense than a giant press conference.

As for PSVR, we can only speculate as to what might be announced at the show. We’re still waiting for news on Blood and Truth’s release date. We also know that a new Sony-owned UK studio has been toying away at a big PSVR exclusive for some time now. Perhaps it’s finally time we saw that.

Tagged with: Nintendo Direct, PSVR, sony, State of Play

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March 21, 2019

Polished VR Adventure Witching Tower Is PSVR-Bound

More medieval battles await PSVR fans in the near future.

Witching Tower, a wholly likable VR action adventure game, is making its way to Sony’s headset. Developer Daily Magic Productions revealed as much in a recent Steam update. Last week the developer issued a huge patch for the game that improved combat and locomotion systems.

“Today we released the latest update in Steam (In HTC and Oculus stores a bit later),” the studio wrote. “Not that it is the last, but it’s not worth waiting for updates in the near future. We will be fix only critical bugs. Now we must fully concentrate on porting Witching Tower to PSVR. We plan to update the game after the release of the game on the PlayStation Store.”

The team didn’t say when to expect the console version of the game to hit. Still, we’ll look forward to Witching Hour’s PSVR release. The game’s set in the midst of an Undead War and has you battling monsters. You’ve got the usually VR arsenal: swords, bows and magic. Expect the PSVR version to benefit from the work the team has done on the PC version since launch.

“It’s got a few idiosyncrasies with its controls that need to get ironed out, and it would feel better with free movement, but Witching Tower is an okay hack-and-slash bolted on top of a nicely spooky horror-themed adventure,” we said in our review of the game. “It’s good for a solid, creepy weekend of puzzles, and is likely going to clean up at VRcades.”

Tagged with: action-adventure, PSVR, Witching Tower

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March 21, 2019

Cave Digger Emerges On US PSVR Next Week, Expansion Announced

MeKiwi will send VR fans back down into the mines next week when Cave Digger finally arrives on PSVR.

The VR mining game (yes, it really is a VR mining game) hits Sony’s headset on March 25th. Eagle-eyed fans will know the game already launched in the UK last week, but it’ll catch up with a wider EU and US release then. The PSVR version requires a PlayStation Move controller. MeKiwi confirmed to UploadVR that the console edition comes with the game’s previously-released DLC too. Check it out in the trailer below.

The PSVR version features all of the same content seen in last year’s PC VR release. In Cave Digger VR you journey down into the mines in search of gold and other treasures. As you collect lucrative materials you can spend cash on upgraded gear like drills and dynamite. New items will let you collect new materials like oil, too. The game features eight different endings to uncover as well as a competitive mode to test your skills in. And who said VR doesn’t let you live out your dreams?

Not only that but a new expansion pack is on the way too. MeKiwi COO Jani Kaipainen explained that the expansion will add several hours worth of gameplay and completely new mechanics to the game. Exact details are being kept under wraps for now but it will be free for all players from PSVR to PC VR.

Cave Digger costs £7.99 in the UK, so expect the US pricing to come in around the $10 mark.

Tagged with: Cave Digger, PSVR

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March 19, 2019

GDC 2019: Angry Birds Officially Coming To PSVR And iOS ARKit Very Soon

Today, Rovio and Resolution Gamse are officially announcing two brand new versions of Angry Birds for both AR and VR devices. Currently, you can play Angry Birds on Magic Leap One, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive, and now the immersive adaptation of one of the most beloved mobile gaming properties of all-time is coming to three more platforms: Windows VR, PSVR, and iOS devices with ARKit support.

The release is split into three parts: starting today, the Steam version of Angry Birds will automatically get Windows VR headset support, as well as 13 brand new levels coming very soon in a matter of days with a new island and new boss fight as well for all PC-based versions. This is the exact same version we wrote about previously when trying it on Rift.

Then next week on March 26th is when the PSVR version of the game will be available and should include all of the same content as the PC VR-based version of the game. It’ll probably cost the same as well at $14.99.

Finally, sometime later this Spring, Angry Birds will also make its debut on mobile iOS devices with ARKit support, expanding its AR footprint from just the Magic Leap One. Specifically, that’s iPhone 6 and later and all iPad Pro models, as well as iPad 5th and 6th generation devices. There will be at least 40 levels in this version at launch plus the ability to walk entirely around each level with full 360-degree views. You can pre-order the iOS version of Angry Birds AR starting today right now on the App Store.

Finally, we got some very loose details about another new Resolution Games release, but this one is not in partnership with Rovio at all. Instead, this is a brand new Magic Leap One game built as part of the Magic Leap Independent Creator Program. According to a press release from Resolution Games, the game is:

“…built from the ground up for head-mounted AR and will be themed around a mystery that players must solve. Players will unlock riddles that require engaging with characters and the environment where the mystery takes shape, which happens to be a diorama. The mystery unravels right before players’ eyes with twists and turns that animate in only ways possible in AR.”

Hopefully we should find out very more soon about this new AR game. In the meantime, let us know what you think of all this news down in the comments below!

Tagged with: Angry Birds, Magic Leap, Magic Leap One, PSVR, resolution games, Rovio

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March 18, 2019

Wireless PSVR Headset Detailed In New Sony Patent

The future of Sony’s PSVR headset just got even more promising. A recently granted patent suggests a wireless version of the device is in the works.

The patent sprung up online over the weekend. It details a headset that seems to wirelessly communicate with a piece of hardware external from the PS4 itself. In the patent’s drawings it essentially looks like the original PSVR wirelessly linked to the breakout box. The description says that the console powering the headset would feature a “program capable of switching a frequency band used for communication earlier than before according to a change in an environment in which a communication device or a communication partner is placed.”

It’s not clear if this is simply a new version of PSVR or a full PSVR 2. The patent shows the kit running on a PS4 and using a PlayStation Camera, but these could all be placeholder images for what’s next.

Wireless VR headsets that are still powered by PCs or consoles are an interesting prospect. HTC already offers an official wireless VR adapter for its HTC Vive, for example. However, these products require fast connectivity. It’s also essential that they don’t add on any perceivable latency to the VR experience. Still, if Sony is working on an official solution for its next VR headset it could mean a big jump in immersion between PSVR 1 and 2.

So far we’re not sure when to expect a PSVR 2 reveal. The assumption is that such a device would run on Sony’s next console, a hypothetical PS5. There have been plenty of other patents from the company that point to new controllers and tracking systems too.

Tagged with: PSVR, PSVR 2, sony, wireless PSVR

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March 4, 2019

Atlus Survey Asks If You’d Want Persona 6 On PSVR

It’s a very long shot, but Persona 6 on PSVR could one day be a thing.

Series developer Atlus recently launched a survey for its Japanese fans. The questionnaire wants to know all the usual things about your gaming habits. But one of the later questions is raising eyebrows. It essentially asks what new Persona games you’d like to see in the future and on which platforms. There are ideas like text adventure spin-offs and board games. Most excitingly, though, there’s mention of a ‘Completely new ‘Persona 6”. You can tell Atlus you want it on PSVR as well as other platforms like PC and Switch.

No doubt most people are excited about the possibility of getting the series on Switch. But, for us, the mention of PSVR is tantalizing. The Persona series is one of the most popular RPGs around. It’s known for its incredible anime style and eclectic cast of characters. The thought of combining those elements with VR has our hearts racing.

Still, we wouldn’t hold our breath. Questionnaires like this are merely designed to gauge interest. There’d have to be an overwhelming number of votes on the PSVR side to get Atlus to consider making the game in VR, no doubt. It also doesn’t confirm Persona 6 is even in development, just that it’s a mere possibility.

This wouldn’t be Persona’s first VR outing, though. The game’s recent dancing spin-offs include add-on PSVR modes. They allow you to watch characters dance for your pleasure. It’s not the most exciting use of the medium to say the least.

Tagged with: Persona 6, PSVR

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March 4, 2019

Ghost Giant Promises VR Bond Building Next Month

I think we’d all agree that one of the things VR does best is build bonds. Think about how attached you felt to Astro as you journeyed through Astro Bot, or the connection you made with Quill in Moss. Ghost Giant looks like the latest game to explore this promising space. And it’s coming very soon.

Developer Zoink Games recently confirmed that Ghost Giant will launch digitally on PSVR on April 16th. Not only that but publisher Perp Games will launch a physical version of the game in the EU on April 19th. Boxed editions for North America will follow at a later date.

In Ghost Giant you play as, well, a ghost giant. At the start of the game you befriend a small (or, rather, normal-sized) boy named Louis. As you build a bond with him you begin to explore the world of Sancourt. It’s a visually splendid little town that reminds us of Animal Crossing. In VR, though, you’ll connect with characters and solve puzzles. It helps that it looks impossibly adorable.

We’ll be really interested to see what Zoink brings to the table here. As great as Astro Bot and Moss are, they’re both titles that focus on traditional gameplay just as much as they do relationship. We may be wrong but Ghost Giant’s trailer makes it seem like it tips towards the former. We’re hoping Zoink discovers new gold to mine in these uncharted waters.

There’s no word on a possible PC VR version of the game right now. We’ll keep an eye out, though.

Tagged with: Ghost Giant, PSVR, Zoink Games

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February 26, 2019

Beat Saber PSVR Finally Comes To Japan Next Month

Good news, Japanese VR fans! The long wait for Beat Saber on PSVR is very nearly at an end.

The Japanese PlayStation Blog recently confirmed that Beat Games’ VR hit arrives on March 7th. There’s nearly four months after the western version debuted on November 20th 2018. No doubt the localization process and go-between with the Japanese division of Sony slowed the release down a little. A price for this version hasn’t been announced just yet.

In Beat Saber you control two wannabe lightsabers. Notes stream towards the player in time with a song and you have to slash them using motion controllers. It sounds simple but it’s devilishly addictive. “Beat Saber on PSVR is exquisite,” we said in our review. “Overall it’s a more polished, feature-packed, and expanded version of the Early Access PC title, while still retaining the core of what made it a viral sensation in the first place.”

An arcade version of the game, Beat Saber Arcade, is already running in some locations in Japan. You can also get the game on PC VR systems, but we’d bet PSVR is a much bigger platform in Japan that the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

This is just one of many milestones down for the Beat Games team. Fans are also eagerly awaiting news on the game’s first premium DLC, which is said to be dropping soon. This will be the first of three planned packs that should add around 30 new songs to the game in total. Last week we also reported that the developer is working with Subpac to help deaf fans play the game with just as much efficiency as any other player.

Tagged with: Beat Saber, japan, PSVR

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February 20, 2019

Dreams Early Access Launch Coming This Spring, PSVR Support TBA

Following the conclusion of Dreams’ Creator Beta, developer Media Molecule today revealed a release window for the anticipated PS4 exclusive. Well, sort of.

Dreams will launch in Early Access this spring. That’s right, Early Access. Studio Director Siobhan Reddy took to the PlayStation Blog to explain. This release will again be aimed at creators first and foremost. Reddy assured that “100%” of the tools the studio uses to make levels will be included, but some features will still be missing.

“If you participated in the beta and felt like Dreams wasn’t fully featured enough for you yet, or you wanted more Media Molecule game content, then Early Access might not be for you,” Reddy wrote. “We’re working on all those things during this period so that you have everything you need on your first day in the Dreamiverse.”

We’ve reached out to Sony to ask if the long-promised PSVR support will be included in Early Access. We haven’t heard back yet but we wouldn’t hold our breath; the Beta didn’t support VR either. Media Molecule has said the game will support VR from day one in the past, but is this really day one?

In PSVR, players will be able to create and play levels specifically tailored to the headset. But Dreams’ incredibly accessible toolset, which allows players to build entire games, could make this a hub for an exciting swathe of VR experiences.

The Early Access build will also be a “limited release”, which suggests Media Molecule will only sell a certain amount of digital copies. It’s set to be priced at $29.99, though it’s not clear if buying into the pre-release nets you the full game too.

Either way we’re excited to see Dreams finally rolling out on a wider scale.

Tagged with: dreams, media molecule, PSVR

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