Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games have announced some exciting news for gamers: they’re bringing their beloved titles to Google’s forthcoming XR operating system, Android XR.
Android XR is gearing up for its grand debut with Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan,’ a mixed-reality headset expected to hit the market in 2025. This isn’t a mere revival of Daydream; it’s a fully-fledged version of Android, reimagined to thrive on XR headsets. It promises to support a massive library of traditional Android apps, alongside a fresh array of immersive XR experiences.
Known for their pioneering roles in the XR industry, both Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games are playing to their strengths with this development. These seasoned studios are well-versed in multi-platform VR support, so their move to embrace Android XR doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
The buzz was amplified when Owlchemy Labs announced that their evergreen VR hits, Job Simulator (2016) and its sequel, Vacation Simulator (2019), are set to launch on Android XR. Not to be outdone, Resolution Games confirmed that their popular title, Demeo (2021), is also on the way.
Samsung is positioning Project Moohan as a versatile device, similar to Apple’s Vision Pro, spotlighting its advanced hand and eye-tracking talents. This headset won’t just be about immersive tech, though. Like Meta’s Quest, it’s also set to include proprietary motion controllers and PC VR streaming capabilities, blending features from different platforms into one innovative product.
For Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games, shifting their games to Android XR seems to be a smooth transition. Thanks to Unity’s prompt support for Android XR and its inclusion of the OpenXR standard, the process is straightforward.
In a press release, Owlchemy Labs shared their enthusiasm about developing for Android XR, noting, “The platform’s integration with the Unity engine allowed us to port our Unity-based games to the XR environment without needing extra third-party libraries.”
This sentiment is echoed by Resolution Games. CTO Johan Gästrin even praised Google’s commitment to social gaming experiences, remarking on the company’s significant impact in the XR domain.
These titles serve as a perfect introduction for XR newcomers. From the chaotic fun of Job Simulator to the multiplayer escapades of Demeo, there’s something for everyone. Nonetheless, the broader industry response remains a question mark. The widespread adoption of Android XR by other studios hinges on Project Moohan’s success, which will be influenced by the headset’s unspecified price, specs, and launch date.
