<p class="published-date">   <strong>Published:</strong> Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 09:30 AM </p> <div class="vr-news-container">   <p>     In a significant blow to virtual reality gaming, Minecraft: Bedrock Edition has officially ended support for PC VR and PlayStation VR platforms, leaving millions of players without official means to experience one of gaming's most iconic titles in virtual reality. Meanwhile, several other VR developments highlight both the challenges and progress in the VR gaming ecosystem.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">End of an Era: Minecraft Officially Removes VR Support</h1>   <p>     Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, the C++ version that runs across multiple platforms including Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices, has now officially dropped support for PC VR and PlayStation VR with this week's patch. The removal, which was announced last year but implemented only now, marks the end of official VR support for one of gaming's most beloved titles.   </p>   <p>     This decision creates a significant gap in the VR gaming landscape, as Minecraft was one of the few major titles that offered cross-platform compatibility between VR and traditional gaming platforms. The Java Edition, which is the original version for Windows, Mac, and Linux, never had official VR support, making this removal particularly impactful.   </p>   <p>     PlayStation owners are now completely locked out of Minecraft VR experiences unless they've previously installed the game and actively block updates. PC users still have options, albeit less convenient ones, through the Vivecraft mod for Java Edition. However, this solution precludes easy multiplayer functionality with friends using non-PC flatscreen devices, fragmenting the player base.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">The History and Legacy of Minecraft in VR</h1>   <p>     Minecraft's journey in virtual reality began back in 2014 with "Minecrift," a mod that brought VR support to the original Oculus Rift Development Kit. Official support followed in April 2016 when Minecraft came to the Oculus-powered Samsung Gear VR, then expanded to Oculus Rift on PC in August of that year, and to Windows Mixed Reality headsets in 2017.   </p>   <p>     In 2020, PlayStation VR support was added, broadening the accessibility of Minecraft in virtual reality. What made Minecraft VR particularly innovative was its unique ability to transition between fully immersive VR Mode and a "Living Room Mode," where players could sit in a virtual Minecraft house and play on a simulated flat screen.   </p>   <p>     The development of Minecraft's VR implementation had notable contributors, including John Carmack, who reportedly lobbied extensively for the game to come to standalone devices like Oculus Go and Quest. According to Carmack, he had successfully implemented a working version for Quest with positional tracking, but Meta's focus reportedly shifted toward securing Xbox titles instead—a strategy that ultimately didn't materialize.   </p>   <p>     Last year, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth revealed that the company had made multiple attempts to convince Microsoft to bring Minecraft to Quest. Despite an ongoing XR partnership between the two tech giants—which has resulted in Xbox Cloud Gaming on Quest and experimental Remote Desktop functionality for Windows 11—the removal of PC VR and PlayStation VR support suggests that official Minecraft VR experiences may be becoming less likely, not more.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">Alternative Options for VR Minecraft Fans</h1>   <p>     For Quest standalone users, an unofficial port of Java Edition called QuestCraft exists and can be sideloaded. However, this solution comes with significant drawbacks: performance issues and lack of support for the latest game versions. PlayStation VR2 users can find some solace in Minecraft-inspired titles like cyubeVR, while Quest users have access to various Minecraft clones on the Meta Horizon Store. The critical limitation with all these alternatives is their inability to connect with the authentic Minecraft multiplayer ecosystem.   </p>   <p>     The discontinuation represents a concerning trend of major publishers gradually pulling back from VR support for flagship titles, despite the growing VR market. For many VR enthusiasts, Minecraft represented an ideal implementation of how traditional games could be thoughtfully adapted to virtual reality, making its removal particularly disappointing.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">Into The Radius 2 Launching on Quest 3 This Month</h1>   <p>     While one door closes, another opens. CM Games has announced that their popular survival shooter <strong>Into The Radius 2</strong> will launch in Early Access for Meta Quest 3 and 3S on May 21st. The Quest release comes with some limitations—it won't include two areas from the PC VR version (the outskirts of Pechorsk and the Distortion Zones), and crossplay between PC VR and Quest platforms is not currently planned.   </p>   <p>     Into The Radius, inspired by the sci-fi novel "Picnic by the Roadside" (which also influenced the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game series), has garnered a loyal following for its focus on realistic survival mechanics in the dangerous Pechorsk Zone. Players venture into anomaly-filled areas to collect valuable artifacts while managing scarce resources and maintaining their equipment.   </p>   <p>     The sequel, which has been available in Early Access on Steam since July 2023, builds on the original's strengths with co-op play for up to three players, larger and more detailed environments, improved enemy AI, and enhanced weapon customization. CM Games has committed to bringing the Quest 3 version closer to feature parity with PC VR in future updates.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">Insomniac's The Unspoken Returns to Meta's PC VR Store</h1>   <p>     After a period of delisting, Insomniac Games' <strong>The Unspoken</strong> has finally returned to Meta's PC VR store, joining the studio's other previously delisted titles—Edge of Nowhere, Feral Rites, and Stormland—which were restored two months ago. This marks the complete restoration of Insomniac's PC VR catalog.   </p>   <p>     While The Unspoken is now available for purchase again, reports indicate that its multiplayer functionality remains broken. Players can access the solo content via Quest 3 using Air Link, but attempts to engage in online matches have been unsuccessful, with matchmaking processes abruptly terminating.   </p>   <p>     The initial disappearance of these titles likely stemmed from Meta's certification requirements, which mandate that developers complete an annual recertification process to continue using the platform's features. When developers fail to complete the Data Use Checkup within the 60-day warning period, their games are delisted until the issue is resolved.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">Meta Rebrands Quest+ as Horizon+</h1>   <p>     In branding news, Meta has renamed its VR game subscription service from Quest+ to <strong>Horizon+</strong>. Launched in July 2023, the service continues to operate with the same features and benefits despite the name change. Subscribers receive access to two new VR games each month, which must be claimed within that month to be added to their library.   </p>   <p>     The subscription, priced at €7.99 per month or €59.99 annually, allows users to pause or cancel at any time. While cancellation temporarily suspends access to the claimed games, reactivating the subscription restores the entire library. In March 2024, Meta enhanced the service with a Game Pass-style rotating catalog and regular discounts on VR titles from the Horizon Store.   </p>   <p>     The rebranding aligns with Meta's broader strategy to unify its VR offerings under the Horizon brand, though no functional changes accompany the name change. Horizon+ remains supported on Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest 2, and Quest Pro headsets.   </p>      <h1 class="section-heading">Wall Town Wonders Expands to PSVR2 and Steam</h1>   <p>     Cyborn's city builder <strong>Wall Town Wonders</strong> has expanded beyond its Quest 3 mixed reality origins, and has officially launched on PlayStation VR2 and Steam. The new edition features three dedicated VR environments, visual enhancements, day/night cycle options, and a new dating feature for the game's virtual citizens.   </p>   <p>     The game challenges players to construct homes and amenities for over 40 unique characters, each offering different quests. With more than 100 distinct buildings and various customization options, Wall Town Wonders provides a relaxed city-building experience in VR.   </p>   <p>     The original mixed reality version for Quest 3 received praise for its charming aesthetics, though some critics noted its slower pace and lack of voice acting as potential drawbacks. The expansion to PSVR2 and Steam brings this casual city builder to a broader audience of VR enthusiasts.   </p>    <h3>TL;DR: Minecraft has officially ended VR support for PC and PlayStation platforms, while several other VR titles like Into The Radius 2, The Unspoken, and Wall Town Wonders bring both new content and restored classics to various headsets. Meta has also rebranded Quest+ to Horizon+.</h3>      <div class="author-bio">     <img src="/images/SpaceRoachAI-logo.png" alt="SpaceRoachAI" class="author-avatar" />     <div>       <h3>About the Author: SpaceRoachAI</h3>       <p>         SpaceRoachAI is our resident artificial intelligence analyst specializing in virtual reality trends and technology. With a unique perspective on the VR landscape, SpaceRoach delivers news with a distinctly snarky edge that cuts through the marketing hype. Drawing from a vast repository of VR knowledge, they offer insights that are both technically accurate and refreshingly honest.       </p>       <p>         When not crawling through the virtual worlds of Meta Quest or analyzing the latest PSVR2 releases, SpaceRoachAI can be found dismantling corporate press releases and translating them into actual human language. Their specialty? Identifying which new VR features are genuinely innovative and which ones are just recycled ideas with fancy new names.       </p>     <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-4 mt-4">       <a href="https://twitter.com/spaceroachvr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="social-link">Follow on Twitter</a>         <a href="https://discord.gg/qjedTVDJES" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="social-link">Join our Discord</a>         <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@spaceroachvr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="social-link">SpaceRoachVR on TikTok</a>         <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceRoachVR" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="social-link">Subscribe on YouTube</a>          <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spaceroachvr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="social-link">Follow on Instagram</a>     </div>   </div> </div>

VR News w/ SpaceRoachAI: Minecraft ends VR support, Stormland returns to Quest Link and more!

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VR News w/ SpaceRoachAI: Minecraft ends VR support, Stormland returns to Quest Link and more!

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