Week 5 News Stories

More Quest Pro specs and screenshot leaks

This week we saw more detailed specs uncovered, and leaked screenshots, implying that the Quest Pro will feature an advanced display with pixel-level blacklighting, and a ring-less controller with onboard tracking. Maybe we will discover more at Facebook connect in late October.

https://uploadvr.com/quest-pro-specs-controllers-leak/

HTC VIVE teases big news

HTC (maker of the Vive Pro, and Vive Focus) is teasing an announcement for 10.14 (two weeks before Facebook connect, probably not by coincidence).

Wording around the announcement seems to imply that this will be a smaller / standalone device, but they already have the enterprise-targeted Focus. Perhaps this is a commercial version, or perhaps something different (AR glasses maybe?)

https://uploadvr.com/htc-vive-teasing-flow-announcement/

VALVE launching their OWN headset

I should say, their own Standalone headset. At least, that’s the rumor. The folks who decompile hardware have found reference to a Project Deckard (nice Blade Runner reference there) that suggests a tether-less, stand-alone device, similar to the Quest. It would certainly make sense, on the heels of their Index device (a HTC Vive / Oculus Rift competitor)

https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/29/22699914/valve-deckard-standalone-vr-headset-prototype-development

The VOID is returning, under new management

Destination VR was quickly becoming a hot entertainment ticket, until the pandemic hit and forced many to close their doors. The Void was the most well known of these large-scale multiplayer VR experience centers, with some high-end licensed content including Start Wars, Ghostbusters, and Avengers themed attractions, but shuttered last year. Now one of their early investors has purchased their IP and has announced plans to hire much of their previous staff, but they’ll have to get new equipment as most of that was sold off by landlords emptying out the abandoned properties.

https://uploadvr.com/report-the-void-relaunch/

SEC investigating Activision/Blizzard

Falling on the heels of an $18,000,000 dollar settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in response to their investigation into harassment and discrimination, it was also revealed that the SEC has launched an investigation into Activision/Blizzard’s practices. This counts as a significant escalation of investigative pressure from the federal government, as the SEC will likely be looking for evidence that the alleged harassment, discrimination, and other related issues such as investigations and settlements were kept from investors. As a publicly traded company, the corporation has a responsibility to report potential liabilities, and could result in more fines or regulations.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-is-investigating-activision-blizzard-over-workplace-practices-disclosures-11632165080