This week, we’ve got see to see glimpses and insights in the world of VR, AR, and MR. There were a lot of news and updates that definitely made headlines. Let’s revisit some of those stories you may have missed.
Skyrim VR outsells Destiny 2 and many other games
Skyrim VR is so hot right now that it has outsold the Nintendo Switch version in the U.K. according to GfK Chart Track. It ranked in as the 19th hottest selling game last week in the U.K., outselling AAA titles such as Destiny 2, Overwatch, Skyrim for Nintendo Switch, and many more.
China Is About To Open Up The Biggest VR Theme Park In The World
When people say things like “VR isn’t the future” or “VR is dead,” they should probably take a look at what China is doing with the immersive technology. In a recent partnership between Guizhou Ssangyong Airport Economic Zone Administrative Committee and Dongfang Times Network Media Co., Ltd. (subsidiary Mizuki Animation Co., Ltd.), they have announced that they will be launching the first ever VR theme park called East Science Valley.
The project covers an area of 2000 acres in Guiyang, Guizhou Province with a total investment of around $1.2 billion thus far. The park will feature one of the world’s leading science fiction companies, showing VR, AR, holographic, and other high-tech designs according to the company.
You Can Now Control Humanoid Robots Using VR
Toyota Motor Corporation just unveiled their third generation humanoid robot called the T-HR3. Using their latest robotics platform, designed and developed by Toyota’s partner robot division, they have been able to create their most advanced version of the humanoid robot yet.
VR Controls
The most interesting thing about the T-HR3 is that it can be controlled from a Master Maneuvering System which allows the entire body of the robot to be operated instinctively with wearable controls that map the hand, arm and foot movements to the robot. The operator will also use use a head-mounted display that allows the user to see from the robot’s perspective. In this video, we can see that the user is using the HTC Vive. They have also attached the Vive Trackers to their feet for movement tracking.
Pokemon Go Creators Niantic Raises $200 Million Ahead Of Harry Potter AR Game
Pokemon Go creators Niantic Labs has raised $200 million in Series B funding according to The Wall Street Journal.
Niantic Labs is famous for creating the first popular Pokemon AR game that threw the world into a frenzy. Now, the company’s objective is to create that same level of hysteria with an immersive Harry Potter game called Harry potter: Wizards Unite using AR technology.
PayDay 2 VR Devs Working On Native Locomotion Movement As “Top Priority”
PayDay 2 VR is currently a big hit when it comes to VR gaming. With action-packed content and co-op missions, it provides a thrilling immersive experience. However, some people are finding it a bit of an annoyance when it comes to movement in the game.
Currently, the only way you can move around in the game is by “Dashing” which is essentially teleporting. The game doesn’t allow smooth locomotion without the use of a mod. But that seems to be something that the Overkill team is working diligently on in improving.
In a Twitter conversation with a fan, Karl Lakner, the Art Director at Overkill stated that they are “Working on it (native smooth locomotion) as a top priority.”