Weekday VR Update: November 14, 2016

Here is the most pertinent news when it comes to virtual reality and augmented reality. So strap on your headset because here we go.

Ridley Scott’s Martian VR Experience Launches on November 15, 2016

‘The Martian VR Experience’ has just been announced by Fox for the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, and will launch on November 15, 2016 for the price of $19.99.
‘The Martian VR Experience’ is directed by Robert Stromberg and produced by Ridley Scott and puts viewers inside the suit of astronaut Mark Watney. Viewers are also able to pilot a rover, among other activities on Mars.

The Martian VR Experience Mark Watney space suit critical warning. Image Credit: PC Magazine

Thus far, ‘The Martian VR Experience’ has been compared to the Batman Arkham: VR as it related to the level of immersion and detail.
Unfortunately there is no word yet on if ‘The Martian VR Experience’ will be available on the Oculus Rift, but some are speculating that the experience will be released sometime after the Oculus Rift Touch controllers release in December of this year.

The Martian VR Experience. Image Credit: Engadet

VR Enthusiast Launches 34 Fully Functioning Arcade Cabinets for New Retro Arcade

Reddit user, /u/TareXmd, made some VR enthusiasts/retro gamers very happy this weekend, by uploading 34 fully functional arcade cabinet ROMS for the New Retro Arcade: Neon program that can be played in VR. New Retro Arcade: Neon is only $19.99 on Steam and is worth every penny for the level of nostalgia it brings to the table.

New Retro Arcade: Neon lets gamers experience some of their favorite retro games in VR. Image Credit: Steam

Some of the notable games include the following:

• Metal Slug
• Galaga
• X-Men
• The Simpsons
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Ms Pacman
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Wireless VR Possible With MIT’s MoVR System

We recently reported on the $220 HTC Vive wireless VR accessory by TPCAST. Now MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab is bringing a similar technology to the table that is poised to allow all VR headsets to communicate to PCs wirelessly. “MoVR,” the technology from MIT, uses millimeter wave technology to bridge the gap as is relates to communication and latency speed between a head mounted display and the PC.

Although the “MoVR” is not consumer ready at this time, it is exciting because it may be able to encompass more intense graphics as compared to the Vive add-on.

MIT’s MoVR could make all VR head mounted displays wireless with little lose of high fidelity graphics. Image Credit: TechCrunch

Black Friday Deals on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive

This is the first Black Friday where VR head mounted displays, such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, will see some Black Friday love. The first of which is Best Buy, who plans to offer a $100 store credit when a consumer purchases an Oculus Rift head mounted display. Second, Microsoft will also be offering a $100 store gift card with the purchase of either an Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive through their Microsoft Store. There are also speculations that Microsoft will have be offering significant discounts on laptops and computers.

That is all for today, check into vrporn.com periodically for up-to-date content, and if you have any topics you would like to see covered leave them in the comments below or contact on Twitter.

Twitter: @vrporn and @trexxxvr