Virtual Reality
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Virtual Reality.
Latest coverage
Dark Ride: Sweet Dreams Expands Its Free VR Theme Park Experience With Major Update
Indie VR studio Paleozoic is releasing a major update for its free Early Access VR experience, Dark Ride: Sweet Dreams, on June 16, 2026. The update significantly expands the Far East Alley section with new interactions, scavenger hunt elements, and environmental storytelling, integrating 'The Feline Fix' into the broader Sweet Dreams experience. The game continues to evolve as a modular VR theme park focused on exploration and atmosphere, remaining free for players on Steam and Meta Quest.
Echoes of Aincrad Hands-on Preview – That time I got transported into a video game, again
Echoes of Aincrad is a new standalone action-RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe, developed by Game Studio Inc and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game traps players in the virtual world of Aincrad, where death means permanent consequences, and they must clear 100 floors to escape. The preview highlights a new cast of characters, a robust customization system, and fast-paced combat with Souls-lite elements, though it notes the preview build was surprisingly easy. Echoes of Aincrad is set to release on July 10th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
With Steam Frame arriving this summer, Meta is running out of time to entice gamers - will Prime Day do anything to…
With the upcoming launch of Valve's SteamVR headset, Meta faces pressure to entice gamers to adopt its Quest 3 hardware, especially with Prime Day approaching. Despite recent price increases and internal challenges, Meta may offer discounts on Quest 3 accessories or even the headset itself to remain competitive against Valve's new offering.
Steam Frame's tutorial video appears to leak on Reddit, demonstrating a very brief explainer of its software
A tutorial video for Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, has allegedly leaked on Reddit. The brief clip showcases the headset's 'Welcome Tour' software, demonstrating controller functions and UI navigation. The leak suggests the Steam Frame is nearing its summer release, though specific details on units and pricing remain unannounced.
Echoes of Aincrad Hands-On Preview: Like An Episode Of The Anime
Echoes of Aincrad aims to capture the magic of the Sword Art Online anime, allowing players to experience a full season within the game's world before the First Arc's conclusion. The preview highlights detailed environments, fluid combat, and a progression system that emphasizes player skill and weapon mastery. The game is set to launch on July 9 for PC and potentially other platforms.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Cave Crave, Frostrail, and Nightholme
This article rounds up lesser-known multiplayer games, including Cave Crave, a VR spelunking simulator that recently added multiplayer for Meta Quest headsets and plans a PC version. Frostrail, a co-op survival game from Barotrauma developer FakeFish, is set for early access in Q4. Nightholme, a PvPvE extraction title where players transform into beasts, is planning a summer playtest.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic Is A Chance To Remedy My Biggest Gaming Regret
The author expresses regret for selling their PlayStation VR headset, having missed out on the critically acclaimed Moss games. Moss: The Forgotten Relic, a compilation of Moss and Moss: Book 2 reworked for consoles, offers a chance to experience these titles. A demo of Moss: Book 2 showcases its unique blend of puzzle-solving and combat mechanics, where the player acts as 'the Reader' guiding the mouse Quill through a storybook world.
A new Steam Frame setup video leak hints at imminent release date
A leaked setup video for Valve's upcoming Steam Frame VR headset has surfaced, showing the device's initial configuration process. While the video was reportedly run on a Valve Index, it clearly references the Steam Frame. Valve has previously confirmed a summer release for the standalone VR headset, which can also connect to a PC for higher fidelity gaming.
Embracer-owned VR developer Vertigo Games closes Amsterdam studio
Embracer Group-owned Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio, the team behind the VR title Metro Awakening. CEO Richard Stitselaar cited challenging conditions in the VR market for the decision. Metro Awakening launched in 2024 to critical acclaim but did not meet sales expectations.
Virtual Reality Check
Apple is laying the groundwork for its smart glasses with visionOS 2, featuring a pinnable AI visualization for Siri that reacts to gaze. Meanwhile, Meta has deleted its face-recognition system.
One of the biggest VR developers in the business closes a studio: 'The VR market remains a challenging space'
VR development studio Vertigo Games has announced the closure of its Amsterdam studio, citing the challenging nature of the VR market. CEO Richard Stitselaar stated the decision was difficult and acknowledged the impact on employees. This follows similar struggles in the VR space, including Meta's closure of multiple VR studios and layoffs.
PSVR2 Fave Arizona Sunshine Sheds Virtual Reality, Goes Third-Person on PS5
Vertigo Games is releasing a third-person shooter version of Arizona Sunshine for PlayStation 5, moving away from its PlayStation VR2 origins. The new version, also titled Arizona Sunshine, will feature co-op modes and the ability to play as the dog Buddy. It is scheduled for release in 2026.
VR stalwart Arizona Sunshine is getting a flatscreen PC & console port
Vertigo Games announced that the acclaimed VR title Arizona Sunshine will receive a flatscreen port for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch later this year. The port will feature a third-person perspective and include both online and couch co-op modes for two players. This move marks a shift for the VR-focused studio, reflecting broader trends in the VR market.
Valve continue working towards the Steam Frame with a new SteamVR Beta
Valve has released a new SteamVR Beta update, version 2.17.1, which includes various fixes and improvements for VR games on Linux, user interface elements, and developer settings. The update also continues work towards the Steam Deck's SteamOS, with anticipation building for its summer launch and pricing details.
I've run the numbers, and if the Steam Machine does arrive this summer, this is how much it should cost
This article analyzes the potential cost of Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, estimating a starting price of around $775 for the 512GB model and $975 for the 2TB model based on current PC component prices. The analysis considers wholesale versus retail pricing and compares it to the recent price increases of the Steam Deck OLED, suggesting a final retail price for the Steam Machine could exceed $1,000.
Vertigo Games announces closure of its Amsterdam VR studio
Vertigo Games, a company recognized for its virtual reality projects, has announced the closure of its studio located in Amsterdam. The specific reasons for the closure were not detailed in the announcement.
VR developer Vertigo Games shutters Amsterdam studio
VR developer Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio due to ongoing challenges within the virtual reality industry. CEO Richard Stitselaar expressed gratitude for the team's contributions and stated the company's focus is on supporting affected employees. This closure reflects broader difficulties in the VR sector, with other companies like Rec Room and Polyarc Games also experiencing cutbacks.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame will release this summer, but dates and prices are still unknown
Valve has announced that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will be released this summer, though specific dates and pricing remain unconfirmed. The company is expanding its Verified program to these devices, similar to the Steam Deck, to indicate game compatibility. Component cost increases have impacted previous release plans and led to a price hike for the Steam Deck OLED.
Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason…
Backrooms director Kane Parsons cites Valve's commitment to creating games with a meaningful purpose as a significant inspiration for his work. He praises Valve's philosophy of not making projects without a strong underlying reason, using Half-Life: Alyx as an example of a game developed to explore new technology like VR.
Kinetic push two Phasmophobia updates to alleviate VR and other UX pains since Character Update
Kinetic Games has released two hotfixes for Phasmophobia to address issues stemming from the recent Player Character Update, particularly those affecting VR players. The updates reimplement the VR belt, revert changes to ghost speed acceleration, and fix various bugs related to gameplay mechanics and user interface elements. The developer plans to share its updated roadmap for 2026 later in June.
