Imagine Dragons Songs Are Now Available In Beat Saber

Beat Saber is getting a new music pack, and it features Imagine Dragons. The pack includes the following 10 songs:

• Bad Liar
• Believer
• Digital
• It’s Time
• Machine
• Natural
• Radioactive
• Thunder
• Warriors
• Whatever It Takes

Developer Beat Games are showing off their new 360° level of "Believer" on the show floor at E3, which will launch sometime later this summer. Beat Saber is available on PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Oculus Quest. You can buy each song individually for $1.99, or all 10 for $12.99.

Vive Pro Will Cost $799, Original Vive Dropping To $499

HTC has announced the Vive Pro will retail for $799. Pre-orders will begin shipping on April 5. Also, anyone who purchases a Pro before June 3 will receive a free 6 month subscription to Viveport, which lets customers choose 5 free games per month to play from a selection of games (anyone who buys one within 60 days of release will get a two-month subscription). The price of Viveport will also be increasing to $8.99 per month after March 22, Current subscribers are locked in at the current $7.99 price point until the end of the year. The company isn't leaving out the original Vive, as the price is dropping to $499. The Pro makes a number of improvements on the original Vive, it increases the headset's resolution to 2880 x 1600 across both eyes (up from the Vive's 2160 x 1200), adds integrated headphones, better microphones and cameras, and makes the headband more comfortable and adjustable.

HTC Announces Vive Pro And Wireless Adapter

HTC has  announced an exciting new changes to the Vive, with both higher resolution and a wireless adapter. The new headset, the Vive Pro, boosts the resolution beyond the of existing VR headsets. The OLED displays are 2880 x 1600, which works out to 1400 x 1600 per eye and 615 pixels per inch. The new Vive resolution is a 78 % increase from the 2160 x 1200 resolution of the current market's Vive. The Vive Pro has also reformed the top headband for comfort, added a sizing dial for adjustments, integrated on-ear headphones built into the headset, and added dual-microphones and cameras to increase the capabilities inherited from the previous headset. In addition, HTC has announced a wireless adapter to make the Vive wire-free and severely reduce risk of tripping over the cords. The adapter uses Intel's WiGig technology, which is explicitly designed to reduce latency and eliminate interference. The intention is to make a wireless headset unable to be discerned from a normal HDMI connection. The adapter will work for the existing Vive headset as well as the Vive Pro. The Vive Pro will be releasing this quarter alongside the current headset, which will be available through 2018. A full bundle, as well as pricing, for the Vive Pro will be detailed in the future. The wireless adapter will release in the summer, nothing else is known at this time.

UPDATE 8/23/18 - HTC has announced that the HTC Vive wireless adapter will be available on September 24 for $299. You can pre order the adapter on September 5. The adapter will work for both the Vive and Vive Pro, but it should be noted that Pro users will need to purchase a $60 compatibility  pack to use it.

HTC Introduces The Vive Focus, A Standalone VR Headset

HTC has announced the Vive Focus, a standalone VR headset that does not require a PC or phone. The company says the Focus will initially only be available in China, but did not say when or for how much. 

Fallout 4 VR Now Free With Purchase Of HTC Vive

As detailed on HTC's website, with every purchase of the Vive customers will get a free redemption code to be used when Fallout 4 VR launches on December 12. For those who already own a Vive headset, HTC will be offering a a free 3-month Viveport subscription as a consolation prize. The subscription lets you play any of Viveport's 200-plus games. Thoughts ?

L.A Noire Coming To PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch And HTC Vive

RockStar Games has announced new versions of the detective thriller L.A. Noire and is set to release on November 14, 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Alongside these three new console versions, we’re taking our first steps into virtual reality with L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, featuring seven select cases from the original game rebuilt specifically for a virtual reality experience on the HTC VIVE.

Set against the seedy and violent underbelly of 1940’s Los Angeles, L.A. Noire is the story of decorated veteran and newly minted detective Cole Phelps as he investigates an escalating series of cases inspired by real-world crimes. Each successfully solved case brings Phelps greater success, but also brings him closer to the dark criminal heart of post-war L.A.

L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files for HTC Vive delivers seven of the original engrossing, self-contained cases from L.A. Noire rebuilt specifically for virtual reality, blending breathtaking action with true detective work to deliver an unprecedented interactive experience.

L.A. Noire for the Nintendo Switch features the complete original game and all additional downloadable content, with specific enhancements including a Joy-Con mode with gyroscopic, gesture-based controls, HD rumble and new wide and over-the-shoulder camera angles, plus contextual touch screen controls for portable detective work.

L.A. Noire for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One delivers the complete original game and all additional downloadable content with a range of technical enhancements for greater visual fidelity and authenticity, including enhanced lighting and clouds, new cinematic camera angles, high resolution textures and more. Plays natively in 1080p for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, and stunning 4K for PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, these versions capture the grit and grime of the City of Angels like never before.

For more information, visit the updated website at rockstargames.com/lanoire and keep an eye out for more from L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files and L.A. Noire for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One both there and at the Newswire in the weeks ahead.

Bethesda Announces Releases Date For Trio Of VR Titles

QuakeCon 2017 is now upon us, with that Bethesda has announced release dates for 3 of it’s VR titles. Skyrim VR (PSVR) is out November 17, Doom VFR (PSVR/HTC Vive) December 1, and Fallout 4 VR (Vive) on December 12. Stay tuned for more news from QuakeCon 2017.

HTC Vive Gets A $200 Price Cut

HTC has announced they are slashing the price on the Vive headset by $200. The price for the Vive is now set at $599, which includes the VR headset, 2 motion-controllers, the motion trackers, and a trial subscription to Viveport, a service that curates VR titles and allows you to select and download five VR titles per month.

Valve Is Currently Developing 3 VR Games

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell confirmed that the company is currently developing 3 titles for the virtual reality headset, the Vive. Unlike Valve's short and experimental game The Lab, these games are planned to be "full games." Newell also stated that the company continues to work on its VR hardware not to make a profit, but to better shape the games they develop for the Vive. "Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has had the ability to think about what the input devices and the design of systems should be like while he's trying to design games. Our sense is that that's going to allow us to actually build much better entertainment experiences for people," he explained.

HTC Developing First-Party VR Titles With New Vive Studios

HTC has announced that it's debuting Vive Studios, which will focus on developing first-party VR content for the HTC Vive headset. Vive Studios will produce first-party content via its internal developers, though they also plan to have partnerships with external developers. HTC will also develop VR content for education, film, design, real-estate, sports, location-based entertainment centers, and more. 

Ubisoft To Have Cross-Platform Games With There VR Titles

Ubisoft has confirmed that it will support cross-platform play across the three main VR hardware devices: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. According to Eurogamer, Ubisoft will support cross-platform play across Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. Players on Eagle Flight, Star Trek: Bridge Crew, and Werewolves Within to be able to play together, regardless of what VR hardware they have. "Our games feature a strong multiplayer experiences, so letting friends play together regardless of which headset they own will enhance the social nature of our games and let them be played the way we envisioned," said David Votypka, Red Storm's senior creative director. Thoughts ?

More Than 140,000 HTC Vive Units Have Been Sold

An HTC Vive representative, told Chinese VR website 87970 that 140,000 Vive headsets have been sold to date. Back in August the Vive sold 100,000 total units sold.

Ubisoft Announces Release Dates For 3 VR Games

Ubisoft has revealed the release dates for 3 of its VR titles. First up Star Trek: Bridge Crew. Star Trek: Bridge Crew lets players take the role of the Star Trek crew and take on several missions. Weather it’s the captain, a member of the tactical, engineering, or navigation stations, the choice is up to you. It's set to release on Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTC Vive on November 29. Next is Eagle Flight which takes you to the skies and landmarks around Paris as an eagle in multiplayer matches. It's coming to Oculus Rift on October 18, PlayStation VR on November 8 and HTC Vive on December 20. Last but not least, Werewolves Within is a card game Werewolf were 1 player secretly takes on the role of a bloodthirsty creature and relies on deception to fool the rest of the players. It's coming to Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTV Vive on December 6. 

The HTC Vive Has New Games Packed In With The Headset

To help soften the price point of the HTC Vive (which cost $800 or1200 for the Business Edition), the company has struck deals with studios to give you free games with each headset. When you purchase a Vive you’ll now get Tilt Shift, The Gallery and Zombie Training Simulator. What do you think of this new bundle of games?

HTC Launches An App Store For The Vive Called Viveport

HTC has announced Viveport, a new app store for its Vive headset. Steam will remain the place to go for Vive VR games and Viveport will serve as a one-stop shop for everything VR for things like education, travel, news and some much more. It'll be available on the web, mobile, Windows and from within the Vive. HTC is launching a developer beta for Viveport soon (You can sign up for access here) and it plans to release later this fall. "We strongly believe VR is going to change the world for the better, for both consumers and businesses alike," said Rikard Steiber, HTC's senior VP of virtual reality. "We believe it'll democratize access to experiences, now anyone can travel anywhere and learn anything in any way."  

Oculus Rift Update Could Help It Compete With The HTC Vive

According to TechCrunch, a recent update to Oculus Home (the software that manages the Rift headset and games) was recently released to allow for connecting multiple Oculus camera sensors. Now up to 4 sensors can be used at one time. This all depends on if Oculus will sell the sensors by them self. Also the uses of 4 sensors and the release of the Oculus Touch, Oculus might be able to compete with the HTC Vive. The Touch controllers are still targeting a Q4 2016 release. What do you think ? 

Trials On Tatooine Releasing On HTC Vive For Free

During Star Wars Celebration, it was announced that The Star Wars virtual reality title, Trials on Tatooine, will release on July 18 for free on the HTC Vive. The game takes place between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. You assume the role of a Padawan who serves as Luke Skywalker's Jedi apprentice. The game is an interactive cinematic experience and features lightsaber battles. 

Oculus Pulls 180 On DRM Policy

Oculus has changed there mind on blocking its games from working on the HTC Vive. Oculus issued an update for its desktop software today which strips away the headset exclusivity check that has caused VR fans so much consternation, according to Ars Technica. Oculus also added "we won't use hardware checks as part of DRM on PC in the future." The company doesn't plan to give up entirely on copy protection though. "We believe protecting developer content is critical to the long-term success of the VR industry, and we'll continue taking steps in the future to ensure that VR developers can keep investing in ground-breaking new VR content," What do you think of Oculus pulling a 180 on there DRM policy  ?

HTC Releasing A Vive Business Edition For $1,200 + Free VR Toolkit

HTC has announced a new version of a business version of its Vive VR headset. It's called the Vive Business Edition , and you’ll get the same headset and accessories (2 Vive controllers, 2 base stations and 4 face cushions) as consumers. However, business buyers also get a dedicated customer support line and the option to buy more than 1 headset. For all that, you'll pay $1,200 USD. The consumer version is $799 USD consumer price. What do you think of the Vive Business Edition ? In other Vive news, Valve is releasing a free set of virtual reality creation software called Destinations Workshop. Included in the bundle are the same Source 2 engine tools that Valve uses and example maps designed to help creators learn how to use them. The Destinations are viewable in any headset supported by Valve's own OpenVR platform like the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.

HTC Has Made It So Easy To Try Or Buy The Vive

HTC has announced that its Vive virtual-reality headset can now be purchased via the product's website (vive.com) for shipping within 72 hours. Compared to when the headset launched back in April, where there was a wait for the system depending on when you put your pre-order in. Also if you want to try a Vive, you can do so in locations around North America. HTC says it's doubling and then some its retail demo locations at places such as the Microsoft Store, GameStop, and Micro Center.