The XR Weekly Update (March 4, 2025): Valve Deckard Priced at $1200, PSVR 2 Gets a Price Cut, and Other Highlights!

The vibrant streets of Italy have come alive with the final day of Carnival celebrations. While many enjoy the festivities outdoors, I’m delighting in some traditional sweets at home. However, there’s an extra reason for my joy today. I just found out that Feedspot ranked my blog third among the top 60 Virtual Reality websites by authority. I’m closely trailing behind the esteemed Road to VR and Upload VR. Now, the listing isn’t perfect; the defunct Oculus website somehow made the cut, and I know there’s outstanding content, like MIXED, that deserves mention above mine. Honestly, I might not deserve the third, fourth, or even fifth spot. But today, I’m basking in the recognition for my eight-year journey as a VR blogger. Thank you all for your unwavering support that made this possible!

Moving to this week’s biggest news, the rumor mill churns again with chatter about the Valve Deckard, anticipated to hit shelves in 2025 with a price tag of around $1200. Known leaker Gabe Follower suggests it will launch with pre-packaged games or demos, possibly featuring Half-Life content, using SteamOS similar to Steam Deck. Though the premium price suggests high-end specs, it’s rumored to be sold at a loss, which might keep tech enthusiasts eagerly awaiting its release.

Sony has made waves by permanently reducing the cost of its PSVR 2 headset, now retailing at $400/€450/£400/¥66,980. This move has been welcomed, considering its previous price exceeded even that of the PlayStation 5. The price cut, which coincided with a significant sales boost, seems a smart move, potentially boosting the ecosystem despite its limited exclusive game library.

Meanwhile, Meta is urging developers to focus on free-to-play formats for Meta Quest, as these dominate over 70% of user engagement. Fast Travel Games and Owlchemy Labs are already seeing success with this model, confirming its viability. However, despite these engagement statistics, revenue figures remain conspicuously absent, raising questions about the financial sustainability for developers.

On the hardware front, Meta’s forthcoming Aria Gen 2 glasses bring significant upgrades, such as enhanced sensors, on-device processing capabilities, and reduced weight for prolonged use. While currently limited to select partners, broader availability is expected soon.

In the enterprise sector, Meta has revamped its education and business offerings, unveiling the Meta For Education program and Horizon Managed Solutions. This effort expands on device management flexibility, crucial for organizations with existing systems, and offers an appealing package for educational institutions.

HTC’s new “VIVERSE Worlds” platform seeks to redefine 3D content interaction by allowing seamless web-based experiences, promising efficient performance via its polygon streaming tech. Interest is high, and it’s worth keeping an eye on its impact.

AMD joins the graphics card race with the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, introducing new AI accelerators and support for advanced display specs, potentially revolutionizing future VR headset capabilities.

For those adventurous enough, Winlator offers a bridge to playing classic Windows games like Crysis on Pico 4 Ultra, proving you don’t need cutting-edge tech for a blast from the past!

Yet, the community has voiced frustrations over Horizon Store’s growing pile of subpar content, particularly the deluge of Gorilla Tag clones. Meta faces a challenge in maintaining store quality as low-effort games flood the platform.

Turning to fitness, Meta has pulled the plug on its Move app, citing outdated technology as the main reason. This decision, stemming from low engagement, highlights the risk-startups face when large corporations enter their niche.

Research and experimentation continue apace. Meta’s Avat3r project showcases impressive avatar realism from minimal input, while Ohio State University explores virtual taste with promising early results.

An official launch welcomes “The VR Critic” by Dr. Luke Buckmaster, offering comprehensive reviews for VR enthusiasts. This initiative highlights the ongoing passion and innovation in the VR space.

Exciting VR content is arriving thick and fast. With interesting developments like Stratogun, sensible price reductions for popular experiences, and fun new releases such as GORN 2 and Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate, there’s plenty to look forward to.

As the industry evolves, discussions around GTA 6’s potential metaverse expansion, lucid dreaming in VR, and the economic realities of PC VR development by Stress Level Zero highlight the field’s dynamic nature.

More insights from Lumus, Google, and VR enthusiasts suggest exciting times ahead for AR and VR technologies. Finally, a shoutout to all who support, create, and breathe life into this community. Your passion drives innovation and keeps this vibrant scene thriving. Stay curious and keep exploring!