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The Meta Quest 3 can power augmented reality board games like Demeo.
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The Meta Quest 3 can power augmented reality board games like Demeo.
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The Quest 3, Meta’s latest stand-alone VR headset, outshines its predecessor in nearly every way. But when you get more power for the $500, it’s really designed to do something the Quest 2 couldn’t: look out on the world around you and interact with graphics generated by the visor itself.
Apple has bet big on this augmented reality model, but their headset will cost a ridiculous $3500. The Meta Quest 3 hopes to be far more accessible, however it still lacks a killer app — a compelling reason to shell out the tons of of dollars it costs over the Quest 2.
Where’s the fencing game Mark Zuckerberg showed off a 12 months ago? Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR was announced in 2021 — where is it now? Zuckerberg called the Quest 3 “the primary mainstream mixed reality headset,” but where are all of the mixed reality games?
The Meta Quest 3 boasts improved pass-through cameras, comfortable “pancake” lenses, and updated controllers.
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The Meta Quest 3 boasts improved pass-through cameras, comfortable “pancake” lenses, and updated controllers.
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Across the Metaverse
Meta has poured tens of billions of dollars into developing headsets and smart glasses because it purchased VR pioneer Oculus in 2014. CEO Mark Zuckerberg even modified his company’s name from Facebook to Meta, though he recently laid off employees working to construct his so-called metaverse.
While playing Meta’s mixed reality demo, First Encounters, I noticed the little fuzzball aliens I used to be attempting to capture and contain were dancing, jumping, and even hiding behind my real-life furniture.
It’s not all bleak for Meta, nonetheless, which has still managed to sell more headsets than anyone else. Even if you happen to lay aside the promise of “mixed reality,” the Quest 3 proves to be a worthy upgrade to the already-popular Quest 2.
Let’s discuss the excellent news. The Quest 3 is available in a box half the scale of its predecessor. It’s noticeably smaller, while sporting a number of the highest-quality visuals yet for VR goggles. The latest “pancake lenses” (a smaller and clearer lens set) like those on the Quest Pro significantly improve on the Quest 2’s bulky “fresnel” lenses. Now, you will rarely should adjust your headset to get it in focus, unlike the constant readjustment needed with fresnel lenses. The Quest 3 also boasts a brand new chipset, with snappier menu navigation and pristine graphics. While I’d advise users spring for a nicer head strap than the one provided, the Quest 3’s stock strap remains to be more comfortable than the Quest 2’s.
Then comes “pass-through” cameras — which provides video of your surroundings while your eyes are covered by the headset. I truthfully expected more from a tool advertised as a mixed reality entry-point. While its color image outclasses the murky grayscale of the Quest 2’s cameras, its grainy video quality remains to be noticeably warped. It was not possible to make out a phone screen through a Quest 2 or Quest Pro’s pass-through cameras. With the Quest 3, it’s difficult but doable.
The latest depth sensor and updated cameras also allow for an automatic guardian system that requires you to easily go searching your play space to detect your partitions, floors, ceilings and furniture. This scan creates latest “spatial data” which not only keeps you from punching your partitions or TV by accident, but in addition enables latest games and experiences.
Close encounters
The Quest 3’s spatial awareness led to my one truly awe-inspiring moment with the device. While playing Meta’s mixed reality demo, First Encounters, I noticed the little fuzzball aliens I used to be attempting to capture and contain were dancing, jumping, and even hiding behind my real-life furniture. I could look out into the parts of my lounge wall where the fuzzballs had broken through, and even shoot out segments of my wall to disclose an alien landscape on the opposite side. This short tech demo was the good thing I’ve seen thus far on the headset, and it is a shame that there is no more to it.
Other mixed reality experiences included Xponential+, which features branded gym workouts from the likes of Pure Barre, Stretch Lab, and Club Pilates. You can place your holographic trainer anywhere in your room to steer you in exercises. There’s also Xtadium, a sports-viewing app that permits you to watch live games from multiple angles on an enormous, virtual TV.
Another feature called “shared spatial anchors” allows for local multiplayer with games like Demeo and the upcoming Demeo: Battles by “anchoring” augmented reality objects (reminiscent of a tabletop or board game) into a set place in space, allowing you to see room around you while interacting with the identical objects. I got to check this between my Quest 3 and Quest 2 and it worked well.
I next played Dungeons of Eternity, a brand new hack-and-slash game which really showed off the Quest 3’s graphical enhancements, with superb lighting and more good detail than what I attempted on the Quest 2. Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, Asgard’s Wrath II, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, and Stranger Things VR are all slated to release this 12 months.
Dungeons of Eternity is more crisp and high-resolution on the Quest 3 than Quest 2.
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Dungeons of Eternity is more crisp and high-resolution on the Quest 3 than Quest 2.
Will Mitchell/Meta
It’s a promising line-up, but Meta missed a chance to come back out with a bang at launch with multiple great mixed reality experience. However, the impressive hardware may very well be enough to justify the $500 for existing enthusiasts and well-heeled holiday shoppers. By the time late November rolls around, there is perhaps simply enough to make mixed reality look enticing.
Will Mitchell is NPR’s Streaming Media Manager and an all-around VR enthusiast.
James Perkins Mastromarino contributed to this story.
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