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It’s been clear for the last number of years that there is an out-and-out winner of the VR headset wars. Is there a war? Well, if there is one, then the Quest 2 has already destroyed all its enemies, has taken no prisoners, and has already got to da choppa!
So, what’s next? Well, can you handle a more advanced level of virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR)? If you’re thirsty for more, then you’ll be licking your virtual lips as Mark Zuckerberg has just introduced Meta Quest 3, the third generation of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, so get ready. Quest 3 is slated for release later this year, ushering in a new era of immersive technology with its host of exciting new features and upgrades. From the rather impressive recent showcase, we’ve compiled all the useful information you need and stuck it together with some sticky tape for your reading pleasure! We’ll cover everything from Meta Quest 3’s improved performance and ground-breaking Meta Reality technology to its re-designs for comfort and compatibility with some comparisons to its competitors. Let’s dive right in!
The Most Powerful Meta Headset
Meta’s dedication to developing cutting-edge virtual reality and augmented reality tools led to the creation of Quest 3. The combination of the highest quality screen with pancake optics creates an experience that is unmatched. Quest 3’s graphical performance is greater than double that of Quest 2’s thanks to a next-generation Snapdragon chipset developed in conjunction with Qualcomm Technologies. This means your favorite immersive games will run more smoothly and have more beautifully crisp details. It’s like they’ve pulled all the great tech used on the Quest Pro and smooshed it into a more affordable headset while also improving on it in every way. World class move, Zuckerburg!
Combining Meta-Reality with Immersive VR
Exciting times await us in the realm of meta-reality. In Quest 3, we see the debut of revolutionary Meta Reality technology that fuses the digital and physical realms in unprecedented ways. It’s an advanced form of mixed reality that takes advantage of your ability to engage with both the virtual and real worlds at once by automatically comprehending and responding to objects in your actual space. The full-color pass-through camera combined with depth sensors means you can accurately interact with virtual objects placed in your very real living room. Try to picture yourself playing a virtual board game on your dining room table or hanging up virtual paintings in your living room. Quest 3 makes it possible to have these kinds of experiences.
High-fidelity color Passthrough, cutting-edge machine learning, and spatial awareness power the Quest 3’s Mixed Reality features. These capabilities allow for effortless exploration and interaction with the physical world around you. Currently, there is nothing quite like it on the market. We’ve had passthrough but never as realistic as this. Hats off to the evolution of mixed reality technology.
Improved Ergonomics and Operation
In addition to its improved performance, Quest 3 places a premium on user convenience and agency. The headgear is more stylish and comfortable than its predecessor, Quest 2, thanks to a 40% reduction in its profile. The Touch Plus controllers are a natural extension of your hands, thanks to their sleek and ergonomic new design. By removing the outer tracking rings, they are able to make more room for the experience and make it feel even more immersive.
But how can the controllers work without halo rings I hear you ask?
IR LEDs + AI + Hand Tracking = God Tier Tracking!
The new controllers improve tracking accuracy and precision with the help of infrared (IR) lights and artificial intelligence (AI). The sensors in the headset gather signals from the infrared LEDs in the controllers, enabling more precise monitoring of hand movements and gestures. The IR signals are analyzed by the AI algorithms, and the feedback on tracking is provided in real-time, allowing for natural and realistic interactions within virtual worlds. Quest 3’s controller tracking is taken to a whole new level with the use of IR lights and artificial intelligence.
With the addition of their hand tracking and depth sensors, they have created a very precise, always-on one-to-one tracking solution. Whether you’re swinging a virtual sword or manipulating virtual items, the Quest 3 controllers provide accurate and responsive tracking for a lifelike, natural, and easy-to-learn experience.
The Best Collection of Virtual Reality Media in the World
One of the biggest draws to VR has to be the games. It’s no good having an amazing piece of kit on your bonce if you can only play Beat Saber on it. Fear not, over 500 virtual reality (VR) games, apps, and experiences from the Quest 2 library are compatible with the Quest 3. You can rest assured that Quest 3 will have the best collection of interactive material in the world ready for you on launch day. Quest 3 has something for everyone, be they gamers, artists, or explorers.
Comparison: Meta Quest 2 and 3
You may be curious about how Quest 3 stacks up against its predecessor, Quest 2. If you already own a Quest 2, you may be wondering if it’s worth your while to get the new one. The two headsets seem very similar, but the Quest 3 is much more compact and features upgraded hardware. But both their competitive pricing makes them stand out. The 128GB version of the Quest 3 starts at $499, but the same capacity on the Quest 2 begins at just $299.99. Which headset you choose will depend on your budget and how far ahead of the curve you want to be in terms of virtual reality and augmented reality. It also may come down to whether you want AR or mixed reality experiences or if you are happy just to play VR games. However, at this price point (and compared to the Apple Pro Vision or PSVR2) these are both attractive purchases.
Opportunities for an Exciting Future
Quest 3 isn’t the end of Meta’s dedication to advancing VR/MR technologies. The business consistently surprises and delights customers with cutting-edge features and services. Although Quest 3 has a lot to offer, the introduction of Meta Connect on September 27 promises even more innovative features. Keep an eye out for upcoming news and announcements. Meta Quest 3 will hopefully bring about a sea change in the VR/MR industry. Improved functionality, ground-breaking Meta Reality technology, reimagined comfort, and support for a plethora of immersive media make Quest 3 a game-changer. Set your sights on the fall release date, and prepare to enter a new dimension of immersion!
Highlights of Meta Quest 3
Pancake optics and Meta’s highest resolution display make the Quest 3’s display the best it can be, making content look better than ever before.
The Quest 3 is powered by a Snapdragon chipset of the next generation, co-created with Qualcomm Technologies. It provides twice the graphical capabilities of the Snapdragon GPU used in the first Quest, allowing for silkier animations and more detailed environments in the sequel.
Breakthrough Technology for merging the real and the virtual is called “Meta Reality,” and it makes its debut in Quest 3. This technology can recognize and react to tangible items, making it easy to move around in your environment. Interaction with both real-world objects and digital content is made possible through the use of high-fidelity color Passthrough, cutting-edge machine learning, and spatial comprehension.
The Quest 3’s design is thinner and more comfortable than its predecessor, the Quest 2, by a factor of 40%. The reworked Touch Plus controllers have a slimmer and more comfortable design than before, making them seem like an extension of your hands.
The Quest 3 controllers have improved tracking thanks to the use of IR lights and artificial intelligence. For precise and responsive interactions, the headset’s sensors gather signals from the IR lights, and artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the data for real-time tracking feedback.
Quest 3 is backward-compatible with the nearly 500 virtual reality (VR) games, apps, and experiences available in the Quest 2 library. Even before its official release, it boasts the largest collection of high-quality, interactive media anywhere in the world.
Direct Touch and Hand Tracking: Quest 3 natively supports hand tracking, letting players manipulate virtual items with their bare hands. The Direct Touch function eliminates the need for controllers while providing a more natural and engaging gameplay experience.
To ensure that consumers may continue to enjoy their favorite games on the new headset, Quest 3 is fully compatible with the entire library of Quest 2 games.
New Games for You to Play
The showcase didn’t just reveal the sexy new Quest 3. We also got a splattering of new games due to release very soon. All games will be available to play on Quest 2 and Quest 3, so why not check out the latest and the greatest below:
Asgard’s Wrath 2
Photo from Asgard’s Wrath 2 Oculus page
Asgard’s Wrath 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed action-adventure RPG Asgard’s Wrath, was one of the most eagerly awaited releases. Exciting sword fighting, ax-throwing, puzzle-solving, interesting minigames, and even fishing were all on display in the gameplay footage. As Meta has stated, the game will feature a roguelite dungeon mode and a campaign that lasts longer than 60 hours. With a developer walkthrough available online, curious players may get a taste of the immersive world that will be theirs to explore in Asgard’s Wrath 2, which will be released exclusively for Quest headsets in the winter of 2023.
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR
Photo from Ubisoft
The revelation that the popular Assassin’s Creed series would be coming to Quest headsets with the release of Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR was another big deal. During the showcase, Meta didn’t reveal much about the game, but they did say that further details would be provided at the Ubisoft Forward event on June 12th. Because of this advancement, more people will be able to enjoy the fascinating historical adventures of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Stranger Things VR
Photo from Stranger Things VR Oculus page
Quest headset users will get access to a one-of-a-kind and terrifying adventure with Stranger Things VR. Assuming the persona of Vecna, players can explore the Stranger Things realm and engage with its eerie vibe. The gameplay was demonstrated in a scary teaser, which hinted at an intense and evocative virtual reality experience. In the fall, fans of Stranger Things will be able to enjoy a truly terrifying virtual reality experience.
Samba de Amigo
Photo from Samba de Amigo Oculus page
The Quest headsets will soon be able to play Samba de Amigo, a rhythm game developed by Sega. Players can shake it to the beat of 40 chart-topping tunes while they enjoy the lively and energetic virtual maracas gameplay. While it’s possible that Samba de Amigo won’t be as widely played as Beat Saber, gamers can still look forward to a humorous and carefree adventure that encourages them to let loose and find their inner rhythm. In the fall, you can enjoy this one-of-a-kind virtual reality (VR) game that features a musical adventure.
Ghostbusters VR: Rise of the Ghost Lord
Photo from Ghostbusters VR Rise of The Ghost Lord Oculus page
With the release of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, the franchise’s virtual reality (VR) adventures continue. After dropping hints about it at last year’s showcase, Meta surprised everyone with a compelling story trailer this time around. The game is set in San Francisco, and it has a cooperative multiplayer mode where up to four players can dive headfirst into the paranormal world of ghost-busting. The upcoming fall release of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord will give viewers another chance to don the famous jumpsuits and travel the world with the gang in search of ghosts.
Powerwash Simulator VR
Photo from Powerwash Simulator VR Oculus page
Meta’s Quest headsets will also have Powerwash Simulator, a calming and pleasant washing game. This virtual reality adaptation of the classic game allows players to experience the calming sensation of a power wash, as they accomplish fulfilling tasks and take pleasure in the game’s straightforward design. The virtual reality version of Powerwash Simulator, which promises to be released this year, will provide a soothing and engaging experience well-suited to the medium. This was such an amazing game on flatscreen so it stands to reason that the added immersion will make this one an instant classic.
Game Summary
Games of all stripes and for all tastes were on display at the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023. Players can look forward to a wide variety of compelling experiences, from epic role-playing adventures like Asgard’s Wrath 2 to the rich medieval environment of Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR and the chilling thrills of Stranger Things VR. The musical adventure Samba de Amigo and the cooperative ghost-busting action of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord both sound appealing. If you’re looking for a more tranquil gaming experience, Powerwash Simulator is a great choice. The Quest headsets’ adaptability and immersive potential were on full display at the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023, guaranteeing that every gamer would find something they want to play.
Overall
So, there you have it folks! Certainly, 2023 has become one of the most loaded and exciting years for VR hardware. Knowing who is going to steal the crown and win the Christmas Shopper’s hearts is yet to be seen. Meta has certainly impressed with more power, more tech, more comfort, and lots more games at an affordable price. More to come news-wise in Sept so keep your eyes here for plenty of updates. My money is on Mark beating Tim Cooke, but who knows? Exciting times lay ahead!
If you’d like to see the full Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023, then check it out here.
