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 Fast Travel Games, a VR game development studio, has announced Action Hero, a VR shooter game inspired by Superhot. It will launch on Quest 2 and newer headsets on December 12.
 
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 Action Hero puts players in five different movie-themed scenarios, with each film containing four acts and five scenes per act. The game includes various genres, such as heist movies, Indiana Jones-style adventures, cyborg-themed content, and ninja sequences. Players can access additional &quot;Director's Cuts&quot; that offer modified versions of each level.
 
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 The game emphasizes strategic gameplay through its time-stopping mechanics, allowing players to plan their moves carefully. Players can engage in slow-motion combat, dodge obstacles, and face boss encounters with weapons across various movie genres.
 
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 Analyst QuickTake:
 The new game follows the company's renewed focus on developing multiplayer games and follows its previous launch in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33581">
 September 2024
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 of the multiplayer VR game &quot;Mannequin.&quot;
 
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Extended Reality

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 Fast Travel Games, a VR game development studio, has announced Action Hero, a VR shooter game inspired by Superhot. Set to be launched on December 12, the game is to accommodate Quest 2 and newer headsets.
 The game's unique feature, Action Hero, situates players within five movie-themed scenarios. Each film consists of four acts and each act is composed of five scenes. A variety of genres are included, such as Indiana Jones-style adventures, heist movies, cyborg-themed content and ninja sequences. The players are provided with the option of the "Director's Cuts" which offer variations of each level.
 Action Hero highlights a strategic style of gameplay by utilising time-stopping mechanics. This allows for player to carefully plan their moves. Players are exposed to slow-motion combat, they're allowed to dodge obstacles and provided with the opportunity to face boss encounters with weapons across various different movie genres.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 The new game follows the company's renewed focus on developing multiplayer games and follows its previous launch in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/33581"> September 2024 </a> of the multiplayer VR game "Mannequin."

Fast Travel Games launches Action Hero VR game for Quest

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

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 In December 2024, Microsoft plans to launch a public preview of Windows 11 capabilities on Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S virtual reality (VR) headsets. The service will be accessible via a local PC or a cloud instance on Windows 365. This integration enables users to quickly establish a connection with Windows and promises to provide a VR experience akin to a multi-monitor workstation.

One of the features within this system is 'Volumetric Apps'. This allows Windows applications to be extended into a three-dimensional space, facilitating user interaction with and manipulation of 3D objects using hand gestures. Additionally, Microsoft is providing developers with access to an API designed to facilitate the building of plugins for new or pre-existing 3D Windows desktop applications.


</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 While Microsoft has signaled its exit from the hardware space following last month's announcement of the <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/34228"> discontinuation of its HoloLens 2 headset </a> , it is likely to remain active in the VR space. The company may explore future releases of its software and other services in partnership with other hardware developers, including Meta and Apple.

Microsoft brings Windows 11 to Meta Quest headsets

<div>
 Meta has increased the availability of its Ray-Ban smart glasses to France, Spain, Ireland, and Italy. The voice assistant powered glasses are now available with multiple language support including French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
 Features of these smart glasses include hands-free voice commands which permit users to interact, acquire real-time information, recommendations, and creative writing inspiration.
 The visual recognition feature, allowing users to ask landmark-related queries, is still limited to certain countries, specifically the US, Canada, and Australia.
 Expansion plans to other EU countries are in progress by Meta, alongside assuring compliance with European rules and regulations.
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 The latest expansion builds on the strong sales performance of its Ray-Ban Meta glasses and follows a slew of new <a href="https: 
//about.fb.com/news/2024/09/ray-ban-meta-glasses-new-ai-features-and-partner-integrations/"> AI enhancements and partner integrations </a> for its product.

Meta launches AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses in four European countries

<div>
 Amazon is reportedly in the process of creating AR smart glasses, known as Amelia, which are intended for use by their delivery drive pool. These glasses aim to enhance the final 100 yards of a delivery.
 Amelia comes equipped with a compact AR display providing navigational directions, a camera facing outwards for package confirmation, Alexa voice commands, and an incorporated AI chatbot. The AR technology is used to create visual guidance to drivers towards buildings and also identify potential hindrances.
 The enterprise asserts that the AR smart glasses will allow for hands-free use, thus reducing the reliance on handheld GPS devices, and enabling drivers to carry additional packages due to the visual guidance offered.
 Despite this, Amazon is aware of potential issues that may cause delay or termination of the project. These would include problems related to the battery, the weight of the device, visually distracting the user, or issues regarding the integration of data from the real world.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 The announcement may have been in response to <a href="https: 
//www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/openai-vs-apple-vision-pro-the-next-leaders-of-ar-smart-glasses/"> growing interest </a> by both OpenAI and Apple, which are <a href="https: 
//www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-04/apple-explores-push-into-smart-glasses-with-atlas-user-study?embedded-checkout=true"> rumored </a> to be exploring further developments in the smart glasses segment given growing interest in the technology.

Amazon develops AR smart glasses for delivery drivers

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 XRHealth has introduced an AI-powered extended reality (XR) platform for medical applications, including physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, pain management, and mental health. The platform consists of four main elements: AI Generator Space for designing custom 360-degree environments, AI Treatment Search for recommending relevant therapeutic environments, AI Reports Analysis for producing session insights using real-time data, and AI Treatment Plan for offering personalized treatment suggestions based on data analysis.
 XRHealth claims that the novel platform allows healthcare providers to develop customized, interactive therapeutic environments that adjust to each patient's requirements, potentially enhancing patient engagement and clinical results across different treatments.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Earlier <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/35738"> this month </a> , the company acquired NeuroReality and its flagship product, Koji's Quest, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was carried out to expand XRHealth's therapeutic offerings and strengthen its position as a leading XR therapeutic platform. With the launch of this new offering, XRHealth has taken steps toward strengthening its market position.

XRHealth launches AI-powered medical XR therapeutic platform

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 VOXReality, supported by the European Commission and F6S, has granted EUR 1 million to five EU projects to develop extended reality (XR) technology. The aim of this technology is to improve accessibility in education, career support, and the cultural heritage sectors.
 The chosen projects will each receive EUR 200,000 and exist across six European countries. The projects are intended to combine AI with XR technology to remove language and physical accessibility barriers. This will create inclusive virtual environments for a wide range of users.
 The winning projects include the AIXTRA Programme, XR-CareerAssist, CrossSense, VAARHeT, and WELD-E. These aim to support real-time translation in virtual classrooms, career development, improved user interaction, enhanced heritage tours, and support for remote welding, respectively.
 The goal of this year-long program is to showcase how AI-enhanced XR technology can improve interaction between people and remove communication barriers across numerous industries.
 
</div>

EU awards EUR 1 million to five XR accessibility projects

<div>
 Resolution Games has launched a mixed reality shooter game called Spatial Ops. The game allows up to eight players to participate in head-to-head battles in various modes such as Free for All, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Domination.
 Players can customize the game spaces using a level editor and convert any room into a game arena through mapping functionality. The game also features a campaign mode, offering two additional hours of wave shooting action.
 Spatial Ops is available for purchase from the Horizon Store for Meta Quest 2, 3, 3S, and Pro at USD 20.
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 This news follows its previous release in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/33978"> September 2024 </a> of another multiplayer mixed reality game, Home Sports, also for Meta Quest headsets.

Resolution Games releases mixed reality shooter Spatial Ops on Quest

<div>
 Chinese AR technology developer, Rokid, has collaborated with eyewear manufacturer BOLON to create lightweight designer smart glasses named Rokid glasses. The glasses cleverly combine AR visualization technology with traditional eyewear frames, aiming for seamless integration of immersive technology into everyday life. The smart glasses are powered by Zhi Xiaobao AI assistant, which supports voice commands, includes voiceprint recognition for Alipay payments, and allows users to view message notifications directly through the glasses.
 Rokid is using this partnership with BOLON to take advantage of the eyewear manufacturer's brand reputation. Their goal is to make AR technology more consumer-friendly through fashionable eyewear designs.

</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 Rokid aims to capitalize on the growing interest in designer smart glasses, competing with similar products like Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have shown strong sales performance after its recent <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/36164"> product launch in Europe </a> .

Rokid partners with BOLON to unveil AI-powered smart glasses

<div>
 Microsoft has shared details about the final main feature update for HoloLens 2, an augmented reality headset, which is scheduled to be discontinued in December 2024. Minor security and stability improvements will, however, continue to be provided for the device until 2027.
 Key features in the update include changes in system text size settings, an option for bypassing eye calibration setup, integration of WinGet for app downloads from the Microsoft Store and integration of the OneDrive PWA application for facilitating cloud sharing. The update also offers resolutions for certain bugs and strengthens security.
 Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced a "last time to buy" period for HoloLens 2, with the remaining headsets available either through Microsoft directly or official resellers. The company aims to uphold its warranty and customer support commitments while also providing ongoing security and functionality updates until December 31, 2027.
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 Microsoft has faced a series of setbacks with its foray into the AR headset pace more than eight years ago, which included poor sales, the departure of its project leader in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/10963"> June 2022 </a> , and layoffs of 1,000 employees in its MR division in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/30012"> June 2024 </a> , culminating in its decision a month back to <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/34228"> discontinue </a> its product.

Microsoft releases final major update for HoloLens 2 before its discontinuation

<div>
 Virtuleap, a provider of healthcare training solutions, has introduced Cogniclear VR, a Virtual Reality (VR) cognitive assessment tool. This tool is meant to identify and track cognitive impairments. 
 The features of Cogniclear VR include 14 training drills that focus on a range of aspects, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and motor control. The platform presents immersive interactive training surroundings which replicate actual tasks. It offers effortless onboarding, accurate procedures and data collection, and times the adjustments of challenge levels based on the performance of the user. 
 According to Virtuleap, their solutions make it possible to detect cognitive decline earlier than classic screening methods such as MMSE or MoCA procedures. 
 Virtuleap is also launching an upgraded VR content library. This library will include an additional 15 game-like cognitive exercises. These exercises are based on neuropsychological tools that have been validated. 
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All Updates

Fast Travel Games launches Action Hero VR game for Quest

Microsoft brings Windows 11 to Meta Quest headsets

Meta launches AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses in four European countries

Amazon develops AR smart glasses for delivery drivers

XRHealth launches AI-powered medical XR therapeutic platform

EU awards EUR 1 million to five XR accessibility projects

Resolution Games releases mixed reality shooter Spatial Ops on Quest

Rokid partners with BOLON to unveil AI-powered smart glasses

Microsoft releases final major update for HoloLens 2 before its discontinuation

Virtuleap launches Cogniclear VR cognitive assessment platform

Extended Reality

Fast Travel Games launches Action Hero VR game for Quest

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