Wait the super cute VR game Life Of Lon is available on Steam and I didn't even know!

I seemed to have missed a game I have been looking forward to when it launched but hey guess better late than never. Life Of Lon was one of the very first demos I covered when I started CatsAndVR. I really dug the art style and the cute creature Yep who helps the protagonist. Check out my early impressions of Life Of Lon from all the way back in April 2016. http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/2016/lifeoflon

Life Of Lon is a journey-esque experience that can be enjoyed sitting down. The navigation and interaction don’t require a great deal of head or arm movement, meaning players with disabilities will have an easier time playing.

As the protagonist Lon, you awake from hypersleep just in time to encounter a space anomaly that sends your ship careening towards an alien planet called Paracosma. You awaken from the crash- now deep beneath the alien waves. You encounter Yep your friendly companion that will help you understand and navigate this foreign world. 

The game has a focus on environment puzzles, atmosphere and exploration rather than killing and high scores, with a minimal amount of violence is written into the story.

Chapter 1 is available for FREE on Steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/526730/Life_of_Lon_Chapter_1/

Check out www.LifeofLon.com and www.BlockInterval.com for more info.

Review: Superhot VR for the Playstation VR is a Masterpiece of overcoming hardware issues while playing an Octodad John Wick Kill Death Simulator.

First of all Superhot VR is an excellent game and perhaps my second favorite Playstation VR title right behind Resident Evil 7. According to the interwebs it is currently the top game for Playstation VR owners who also have cats.

The game has a low-poly look recalls the days when consumer Virtual Reality was still just a dream to be fabricated from source material like Tron and Lawnmower Man. The look creates a simulation like environment that always makes me think that this is my training sim for a real life hotline miami. 

When the game works it works soooo well. The satisfaction of this Super Kill simulator made me feel like Neo, John Wick, and Theodore Logan all at the same time. Throwing actual and dodging bullets by actually leaning, ducking and moving your body push the Playstation VR to its limits. Thats is where the problems come in. 

This game more than any other shows the true difference between a  PlayStation VR and a higher end HMD like the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. The PlayStation Move tracking is basically ancient hardware in comparison to what the Vive and Rift are using. The PSVR motion tracking can be absolutely horrendous at times due to limited periphery. I never really cared about the PSVR's  lack of true room-scale tracking until now. 

Due to the issues of the hardware the game becomes a Octodad John Wick Simulator due to the PSVR hardware limitations. Often times I found myself squiggling around trying to beat a level while scrambling when I consistently was out of the camera range. Basically any tracking issue that occurs will kill you and then have you start back at the beginning of the set of rooms you have to deal with. I actually hit my camera off the tv several times and tried to play with a crazy perspective in order to now. I felt like I was playing Octodad playing John Wick having to punch 3 enemies and shoot a gun at a crazy angle and duck bullets. THE GAME IS A FUCKING WORKOUT!

The game will test your limits and It will make you hurt but yet it is still very satisfying. Though I would recommend Superhot VR on a Vive and a Rift, on PSVR it becomes a different beast and one worthy of a true hardcore gamer. Despite all the issues I kept going back to Superhot VR this week and it had some competition for my time in that I was trying to play the Destiny 2 Beta and Prey the same week. Superhot VR is an excellent game that excels DESPITE the hardware issues. The game is an award winner for several reasons an I commend the team for pushing forward on the PSVR despite the limitations they faced. 

I give Superhot VR  8.5/10 Cats: The game is excellent and one of the best title available on PSVR. It is a bit short for the price but still offers excellent replayability and oppertunites for exercise. 

The first of three Blade Runner VR experiences will be out on July 21st for Gear VR.

Blade Runner 2049: Replicant Pursuit will be making its premiere near Comic Con at the no pass necessary Blade Runner VR installation. If you cant make it to Comic Con no worries it will be available on Gear VR on July 21st, and is developed by Turtle Rock Studios, the team behind Face Your Fears. Oculus partnered with Alcon Interactive Group to bring Blade Runner into VR with a trio of experiences from three different developers. 

Replicant Pursuit is the first of the three Blade Runner VR games for both Rift and Gear leading up to the October release of the new Blade Runner film. 

In the first installment, you pilot the iconic spinner to track down and “retire” a rogue replicant. 

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Deadpool added to the Marvel Powers United VR roster and you can play it at Comic-Con!

To celebrate San Diego Comic-Con Oculus announced that Deadpool  latest addition to the Marvel Powers United VR roster, joining Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Rocket Raccoon in the lineup for one of the most anticipated VR game of 2018.

At Comic-Con this week? Crack wise and crack skulls as you wield katanas and hand cannon pistols—because why bring a knife to a gunfight when you can have both? 

Visit the Marvel Booth to play and on Ronan the Accuser with the help of the Inhumans’ teleporting dog Lockjaw!

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Winner of numerous "Best VR Game” Awards at E3 2017, Archangel is now out for Playstation VR.

Skydance Interactive debuted its first virtual reality game, the award-winning first-person shooter Archangel – exclusively on PlayStation VR.

Players will step into the cockpit to pilot a six-story high war machine and lead their squad mates in an incredible VR battle across the scarred landscapes of a post-apocalyptic America. Archangel is now available at the official PlayStation Store for $39.99.
 
Set in a post-apocalyptic America during the year 2089, players choose to play the role of Gabby or Gabriel Walker, codename “Guardian,” who has been selected by the United States Free Forces to lead the resistance against the tyrannical corporation HUMNX, a private conglomerate that governs what is left of our ravaged nation. Players must use strategy and skill to fire upon enemies with a wide array of high-powered weapons while protecting their allies from onslaught.
 

“How better to introduce players to Skydance Interactive’s vision for the future of virtual reality gaming than to give them hands-on control of a giant mech in a way that no other medium can deliver,” said Peter Akemann, President of Skydance Interactive. “Now is the time to join the resistance, protect your friends and countrymen, and become the beacon of hope that America needs – the Archangel!”
 
Archangel garnered “Best VR Game” Awards at E3 2017 from Geek Citadel, MMOGames, and MEUPS4. On August 2, 2017 it will be available on other leading virtual reality platforms, including HTC Vive and Oculus. A location-based version of the game will also be made available in IMAX VR Centres in August.
 
To learn more about Archangel visit www.archangelgame.com and follow @archangelgame on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
 

The New Nine Inch Nails music video features Playstation VR shooter POLYBIUS.

If you know me very well then you know I have been a NIN fan since I was a kid. I even asked for the Closure VHS boxed set for Christmas and watched the Happiness In Slavery video on repeat on Christmas morning...I was 14. Cut to now and I still love NIN but I have grown up to include such things as video games and VR into my life. Well the new NIN music video has a little of both. The newest video features video from Llamasofts PSVR shooter Polybius. 

If you know anything about video games you know that Polybius is the name of a rumored arcade game that was deployed in the early 1980s, but then vanished without trace, apparently after entrancing its victims and permanently altering their mental states.

In the legend Polybius was malign, twisting the minds of its addicted users.

The Llamasoft team has no desire to bend people's brains in any kind of a bad way, but given their history with lightsynths and trance-style shooters thought it'd be fun to do an interpretation of the mythical Polybius. 

Currently I am working hard on my first game and it is my goal to be able to work with Trent Reznor one day as well. 

https://www.arkittens.com/

Today as we battle for the future of all of the Cait And Doggo memes, check out Cyber Animal, a game about feeding Cyber Animals to save the internet.

Today as we battle for the future of all of the Cat And Dog memes, check out Cyber Animal, a game about feeding Cyber Animals to save the internet. The game came from developer Moodie Younis's obsession with GIPHY. Younis describes GIPHY as a sort of vast catalog of mostly useless and terrible one hit wonder records. He used that inspiration to create a shooter where you are rocketed into cyberspace, and tasked with feeding the ravenous Cyber Animals of Cyberspace with little nuggets of love and whip cream.

Moodie's game encapsulates several elements of why our Internet freedom is important. Not only are Memes an integral part of the game but Moodie used several online Unity tutorials to become a first time VR game developer. He then decided to share his experience and new found knowledge base with the world using Medium.

 https://medium.com/@myounis/cyber-animal-vr-case-study-ada0c9d4b86b

Comcast, Verizon and AT&T want to end net neutrality so they can charge extra fees to control what we see & do online. On July 12, we take the first step to stop them. This is a battle for the Internet's future. A fight not only for the freedom of Cait and Doogo Memes but also a future of knowledge building and sharing. 

https://www.battleforthenet.com/

Moodie is an interior architect turned VR / AR designer and developer based in San Francisco.

http://moodieyounis.com/virtual-reality/

The Lost Bear is an upcoming 2D VR adventure game for Playstation VR.

The Lost Bear’ is a cinematic 2D VR platformer with a hand painted art style. Set in a strange and abandoned world, the story follows Walnut as she is pulled from the safety of her brother. Bravely venturing out on her own Walnut has to overcome her fears and save her beloved teddy from the clutches of the Toy Snatcher.

“Creating our first game ‘The Lost Bear’ has been a big milestone for us, it’s been a tough road with many sleepless nights. The learning curve to making a 2D game in VR has been very challenging, we’ve had to overcome many creative and technical decisions in order to bring ‘The Lost Bear’ to life. With everything we’ve learnt I’m excited for the future”- Daniel Robinson of Fabrik Studios

From an art point of view, Lead Artist Martin Reimann said that “Working on ‘The Lost Bear’ really helped us define our art style and create something very special on the PSVR platform. PSVR really pushed us creatively as we had to create a consistent world in both 3d and 2d”.

Lead Designer Jack Bennett said that from his perspective "Working in VR brings with it a lot of new and interesting challenges compared to a standard 2D game. We really had to put a lot of thought into how to communicate to the player to focus on the 2D or the 3D areas of the game. I think the final result really immerses the player in the world of The Lost Bear and brings a fresh twist to the 2D platformer”.

Jack concluded that “Odd Bug Studio is very proud to be working on ‘The Lost Bear’ with Fabrik Games “Working with Graeme Ankers and his team at Fabrik has been a key pillar for Odd Bug Studio. Fabrik gave us the time and space to immerse ourselves in the world of ‘The Lost Bear’ and develop our technical and business skills”

Fabrik’s CEO Graeme Ankers had this to say on this unique collaboration "At the very start of Fabrik one of our key approaches was to unite brand new game development teams with our in-house expertise. I am truly proud to see this realised with both The Lost Bear and the creation of a very talented and brand-new studio in Oddbug. This mix of experience meets new talent, combined with a passion for bringing new ideas and games to market makes Fabrik different”

No release date has been set but the team promises more to come soon. 

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

The developers of Broforce and Devolver Digital bring you one of the most violent VR games to date with GORN.

“While many have had their doubts about the future viability of VR and its potential contributions to society it is worth noting that in GORN you can rip off an opponent’s arm and then beat them with said arm until their head caves in,” said Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker.

I feel like if Oderus Urungus was still alive he would really enjoy this game. RIP. Also seriously this game should have GWAR DLC!- Bobby Venomic CATSANDVR.com

GORN is a ludicrously violent VR gladiator simulator, made by Free Lives, the developers of Broforce and Genital Jousting. Featuring a unique, fully physics driven combat engine, GORN combatants will be able to creatively execute their most violent gladiatorial fantasies in virtual reality. Savagely strike down an infinite supply of poorly-animated opponents with all manner of weapons – from swords, maces, and bows to nunchuks, throwing knives, massive two-handed warhammers or even your blood-soaked bare hands. The only limits to the carnage are your imagination and decency, in the most brutal and savage VR face-smashing game ever produced by man.

Virtual gladiator enthusiasts can grab the game at a 25% discount until July 17 or the emperor decrees the promotion to be over on Steam Early Access. 

GORN is initially available for HTC Vive only. For more information on GORN visit gornvr.com and follow @Free_Lives on Twitter.

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

CatsAndVR@Pocket Gamer Connects SF- VR Indie Pitch Winner VINDICTA

Recently CatsAndVR had the chance to not only attend Pocket Game Connects SF but also be part of their VR Indie Pitch. My game is still a work in progress and the feedback was great for my development. However, the winner of the VR Indie Pitch was an excellent game from Beirut based Independent Studio "Game Cooks". 

Vindicta is a great VR FPS that is able to stand out from a very crowded marketplace with its innovative control scheme, smooth gun combat, and art style that seems like a mix of Portal and Half-Life. Holding down the Vive's touchpad buttons and swinging your arms allow you to move in the game. At first I thought this controller scheme was silly till I realized how creative Game Cooks really is. One simple controller scheme not only solved an the locomotion issue faced in many First Person Shooters it added a spastic level of immersion that I feel is often missing in VR games. 

I got a chance to talk to Lara Noujaim, Director Of Publishing at Game Cooks.

Lara went into detail on the conscious decisions the Game Cooks team made in order to develop in to a VR studio starting with seeing the potential of the market at GDC, trying their hand at their first VR game HOVR, and then making the leap to wanting to be a full time VR studio.

I was very happy for Lara and her team but the whole field of view did not present itself until I saw Lara speak at here PGConnects panel "VR from the Unlikeliest Places"  

#VRCSanFrancisco #vr big pitch winners @Vindictagame representing not only #womeninvr #womeningaming but also the #middleeast @GameCooks pic.twitter.com/NiO7hMftHk

— CatsAndVR (@CatsAndVR) June 28, 2017

Lara went into detail about how tough it really is to be a VR development studio in a country where is not as readily available due to import restrictions not to mention that Lara and her team have to be extremely selective in what events they are able to attend in the US due to the simple fact they are an independent studio with limited funds. 

With the lack of VR Headsets in the Middle East it is very hard for them to even promote locally but the Game Cooks team makes a point of reaching out and evangelizing VR in their area.

After that talk by Lara I knew that I must push myself to be a VR developer and really view myself as lucky for the many VR resources available to me in the Bay Area. 

If you have a VIVE go out and support these truly Independent team out to prove themselves despite the odds. VINDICTA is on sale now. 

http://store.steampowered.com/app/597770/VINDICTA/

CatsAndVR.com continues to grow with the addition of our sharp new Los Angeles correspondent, fellow Oculus Launchpad alumni Sherif Higazy. Check out his coverage of the Technicolor Experience Center.

Technicolor printed its last frame of film in 2015” Tim Sernoff (Deputy SVP of Technicolor) remarked in a press briefing. A significant milestone for a company that has been pioneering film technology for the past one hundred years. In 2017, Technicolor opened its doors to press and guests to unveil its Experience Center (TEC). A marker for the French company which may (fingers crossed) prove to be a far more significant milestone.

A proposed technology hub, the center hopes to incubate and advance virtual reality as a content medium and technology with a focus on improving the quality of the medium. Partnering with outside companies such as Epic (The company that brought us Unreal) NVIDIA, NOKIA and IMAX while leveraging its own portfolio companies (THE MILL, MPC, MISTER X and more.)

With $3.8B in 2013 revenue, Technicolor’s entrance into the immersive space is a signal to the wider VR industry that larger companies are taking an interest. And while Technicolor has been servicing the entertainment industry for a hundred years, they are taking a cross disciplinary approach. Alongside TEC, they announced their partnership with HP to create Mars Home Planet.

With more details to be announced at SIGGRAPH, this will be a crowdsourced effort to bring together architects, engineers, 3D artists and designers to problem solve the potential pitfalls of sustaining civilization on Mars. A unique problem that intersects aerospace, architecture, design and many other fields.

While we’ll have to wait and see how Technicolor continues to innovate in the space, the TEC is another signal that VR is coming into its own as a mature industry and that the convergence of so many significant entertainment and technology players will only benefit VR companies and consumers.

catsandvr.com/blog/

About Sherif Higazy: Sherif Higazy is a director, designer and VR developer. He is the Executive producer and founder of Thermonuclear. He covers the LA VR scene for CatsAndVR.com and is a Oculus Launchpad Alumni along side the founder of CatsAndVR.com

Intel, Oculus, and ESL come together for a $200,000+ VR Challenger League to promote VR eSports.

Intel, Oculus, and ESL come together for a $200,000+ VR Challenger League to promote VR eSports. This brand new competitive VR gaming league will feature two exciting VR titles - “The Unspoken” and “Echo Arena”. The competition will feature a prize pool of over $200,000 and includes multiple stops at key eSports events around the world, eventually concluding with the grand finals at the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice in 2018.

Potential Wizards and Space battlers will be able to qualify for the offline events by taking part in ESL's online competitions starting on July 12th on ESL Play.

On top of the VR Challenger League qualifiers, there will also be weekly ESL Play cups, where you can compete for weekly points and prize money. 

The competitive titles in the VR Challenger league are two of the best demos I played at Oculus Connect 3 last year. Lone Echo had one of the biggest lines there.  http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/oc3

Insomniac's The Unspoken will lead players into a world of spellcasting where they face up against opposing mages in dynamic 1v1 duels. Cast powerful spells and utilize the destructible environment to gain an advantage over your opponents on your way to becoming an unrivaled arch-mage. You can find more insights into the classes, spells and maps on the official website.

The second title of the VR Challenger League will be Echo Arena, Ready At Dawn Studios’ face-paced multiplayer action title set in outer space. The game will be released on July 20th as a free download for all Oculus Rift owners and you can keep an eye on new gameplay reveals as they become available on their website.

catsandvr.com/blog/

Has Nintendo's first VR game been secretly announced? Is it Mario Kart VR for the HTC Vive?

The latest trailer the Bandai Namco VR Zone Arcade in Shinjuku, Tokyo reveals that Nintendo may bringing Mario and Co to a Vive Based port of their Mario Kart arcade game. 

Mario Kart Arcade GP VR will incorporate a HTC Vive headset and Mario Kart-styled arcade chairs with built-in steering wheels for driving.  Motion controller wrist bands will also be part of the setup to actually allow you to throw items at your opponents.

The site also had another tag for a small little fan favorite franchise, DRAGON BALL Z.

The CatsAndVR.com Oculus Launchpad Development Blog: Week 1 Day 1

First of all I want to thank everyone at Oculus and Facebook for allowing me to be part of an amazing opportunity. Words cannot describe how I feel on Week 1 Day 1...wait they can. Nervous, Anxiety Filled, Hopeful, and most importantly grateful for allowing me to be included among the 99 other talented individuals in the second Launch Pad class. So many individuals to thank but I will start with Ebony Peay Ramirez-Program Manager, Diversity & Inclusion at Oculus VR. Without her pushing how important Launchpad is the event may not have happened this weekend. She put together an excellent event with some amazing mentors and organizers including Robin Hunicke, Sarah Stumbo, Chris Pruett, Jason Rubin, Yelena Rachitsky, Jewel Lim, Bernard Yee, Dorian Dargan, Isabel Tewes, Trevor Dasch, Stephanie Vazquez and sooo many more including the awesome legal department who had a presentation FULL of Cats. I'm just going to say to Launch Pad Class 2 lets do the best we can so Launch Pad Class 3 gets the same opportunity.

One year ago I started CatsAndVR.com in order to not just be a spectator of VR but to be an active participant. However my Oculus story goes way back to E3 2013 when I stumbled across CCP's EVE VR demo and got to try DK1. Eventually I pre ordered a DK2....and then canceled it cause I needed to take care of some unfortunate financial moments. I regretted that for a long time until I started CatsAndVR.

When I woke up one morning and decided my two passions in life was to be cats and vr as well as the fact that URL was still available I decided this was my chance at VR redemption. It has been a very interesting journey. Around this time last year I took a Greyhound to LA to see if I could get into E3. They said my Alexa ranking was not high enough and I stood there for about 30 minutes expounding on my passion for VR. I eventualy won them over. I went to E3 that year for one singular reason, Virtual Reality. 

I was really excited to try the PS VR cause it looked like a way for me to finally afford high quality VR. Unfortunately the Playstation booth was a cluster. I was a bit down but decided to go to Oculus. It was there I met a momentary savior who kept my inspiration alive. While waiting in line to check out a demo I was approached by an Oculus rep who liked my look (lol) and asked if I wanted to play a game against Palmer Luckey who from now on shall be referred to as The Unspoken.  So in reality the first time I ever used the Touch controls was against Palm...The Unspoken on the E3 FB Live stream. I went from not getting into E3 to that! You can check me playing Dead And Buried with the Unspoken one in the video below at the 51 minute mark.

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/oculuse3

So its about a year later and I just finished the start of Oculus Launchpad and here is my next move.

An amazing friend of mine Alex Q Ryan was giving me a pass to go to E3....I just turned it down to start working on my Launchpad project right away so the next time I go to E3 I don't go as a spectator but I will go as an active participant. I am very nervous as though I have supported a team with Unity on both the product and business side enough to push them to the Super Bowl I have never had to be Lebron James. Well now is the time I have to be a witness for my own development. 

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/catsandvrsuperbowl

There were so many amazing people I met from those trying to show their parents that they made the right choice pursuing art to those daring to show the world that the time is right to use technology for the greater good of inclusion.  I am humbled to have been included in LaunchPad Class 2 and look forward to what these New Mutants of VR bring forward to the world.....and really hope I can bring to the world what I have in my crazy universe of a mind. 

So Mote It Be. 

Week 1 Day 1. 

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

PS Mad props to my new BFF David Solito who allowed me to crash out as his place for the weekend so I can use my Launchpad cash for development. Facebook is SUPER lucky to have you as part of the team. 

Holy shit, Starbreeze are cool. They are giving away Payday 2, Payday 2 VR, and in return just asking you to check out The Mummy for StarVR IF you can.

Starbreeze Studio is currently offering their action packed four player co-op action game PAYDAY 2 for free on Steam for a limited time, up to a maximum of 5 million copies, in anticipation of the release of the upcoming PAYDAY 2 Ultimate Edition. The free download will additionally grant current and future compatible headset owners the base PAYDAY 2 VR game for free when it releases. PAYDAY 2 VR will allow players to crossplay with their friends on PC and enable heisters to retain their current characters and stats. The beta for PAYDAY 2 VR is expected to start during the autumn of 2017.

In the midst of the campaign, more than 150.000 concurrent players are playing PAYDAY 2 on Steam, presently marking it as the 4th all time high most played game by concurrent players on the platform. 

Time limited offer to download PAYDAY 2 for free: http://store.steampowered.com/app/218620/PAYDAY_2/

The PAYDAY 2 Ultimate Edition FAQ can be found here: http://www.overkillsoftware.com/games/payday2-ultimate-edition/

But wait theres more!

Universal Brand Development announced that fans will be able to continue the epic-adventure of TheMummy beyond the big screen with Starbreeze Studios,   The Mummy Prodigium Strike location-VR game

The Mummy Prodigium Strike is a groundbreaking location-based experience developed by VR pioneer Starbreeze Studios, in which players take on the role of a Prodigium agent and are tasked with capturing the ancient princess Ahmanet—all the while battling hordes of ravens, spiders and theundead. From a helicopter hovering above to the intense action on the ground, players must protect their fellow agents as the Mummy grows in power, battling to the finish to either capture her, or be her slave for eternity. The Mummy Prodigium Strike utilizes the 210-degree virtual reality headset StarVR and a unique set of 4D experience-enhancing elements, allowing users to fully transport themselves into the new world of gods and monsters. Fans can experience The Mummy Prodigium Strike in Los Angeles at Hollywood & Highland Center and at IMAX VR center in Los Angeles and New York City. Tickets are available now for $15 on location at Hollywood & Highland, and for $12 at www.IMAXVR.com.

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Dean Takahashi's GamesBeat events are the type of events you want to skip work for. You may get to talk Rick And Morty with John Underkoffler.

Dean Takahashi pretty much said during his panel at the last GamesBeat summit that you are 100% better off skipping a day or two of of work in order to go to one of the events he puts together. He is absolutely right! These events have less of the super networking vibes of the W hotel during GDC and is more of a Socratic critical thinking forum to snap you out of your tech daze. During the event I went to I felt no one was trying to sell me an ideology or a glimpse of the future but just real talk on how did we get to the place in tech we are and share insights on how you too can predict the future. 

At the last event I got to talk to John Underkoffler, a HUGE pioneer in Augmented Interface growth and direction into the future. Don't know the name? Remember the data interface from Minority Report? Well, it's real, John Underkoffler invented it — as a point-and-touch interface called g-speak. 

John Underkoffler led the team that came up with this interface, called the g-speak Spatial Operating Environment. His company, Oblong Industries, was founded to move g-speak into the real world. Oblong is building apps for aerospace, bioinformatics, video editing and more. But the big vision is ubiquity: g-speak on every laptop, every desktop, every microwave oven, TV, dashboard. "It has to be like this," he says. "We all of us every day feel that. We build starting there. We want to change it all."
 
Before founding Oblong, Underkoffler spent 15 years at MIT's Media Laboratory, working in holography, animation and visualization techniques, and building the I/O Bulb and Luminous Room Systems. He also took some time to break down Rick And Morty for my limited mind. 

This year, GamesBeat 2017: Time Machine is parked right on that event horizon:

Early bird registration is open now — just in time for E3 — and the discount is solid: Sign up today and you’ll save 40 percent off the full-price ticket. Register now for GamesBeat 2017 and save $395!

Speakers Include

• Steven Roberts, chairman of ESL, the biggest independent esports tournament company
• Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games, creator of Eve Online and VR games such as Eve Valkyrie
• Bernie Stolar, CEO of The Stolar Group and former head at Sony’s U.S. PlayStation business and Sega of America 

At GamesBeat 2017: Time Machine, will dive into the parts of gaming that are driving excitement, triggering powerful growth, and launching the startups that are about to transform the industry.

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

River Ecosystem is more than just Mike Rothenberg. It's a fucking ecosystem of hungry innovators and tech talents looking to prove themselves. Check out just a few.

River Ecosystem, a consulting firm that provides services to frontier technology startups and hosts the annual River Accelerator program, today announced veteran Bay Area entrepreneur Jimmy Ku, and Techstars and River Accelerator alumnus Nick Canafax, as partners.

Ku brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience and networking expertise to River Ecosystem. His new role at River Ecosystem draws upon his experience as a three-time founder -- Loup, Mobiley and GoPlanit, which was selected as a finalist for the TechCrunch 50 Conference -- and his passion for connecting people through immersive and insightful programs and events.

"River Ecosystem and its accelerator program have a stellar track record helping innovative companies push the boundaries of frontier technology," said Ku. "Like any early stage entrepreneur, I understand the importance of connecting with the right people to bring big ideas to life. As a new partner at River Ecosystem, my key role is to infuse fresh thinking and energy into our members business plans, and help them address the tough questions so that they're able to flourish."

Canafax has worked behind the scenes as the president of River Ecosystem since September 2016, while continuing to serve in an advisory capacity with Artificial Intelligence company Rival Theory, where he is also a founding member. As a partner with River Ecosystem, Canafax will assume greater responsibilities interfacing directly with its class participants. Prior to joining River Ecosystem, Canafax graduated from the second River Accelerator class, and graduated from the Techstars accelerator program before that.

"As a River Accelerator alumnus, I know first-hand what the program can offer to budding frontier technology entrepreneurs, including unparalleled visibility and networking opportunities with investors and industry luminaries, and access to developmental resources during the critical first year," said Canafax. "Having worked with dozens of inspiring founders and entreprenuers, River Ecosystem is one of the most dynamic and creative startup consulting firms in the world. It's through this experience we'll help the next generation startups achieve their vision -- turning dreamers into doers."

Ku and Canafax take on their respective leadership roles at a busy time for the firm. Both will oversee the selection process for the Fall 2017 class of River Accelerator, an innovative startup incubation program focused on indentifying and fostering frontier technologies such as VR/AR, AI, machine learning, computer vision, drones, 3D printing, and more. The River Accelerator provides startups with mentorship from top frontier tech leaders through the River Network, creative space in the River Lounge in SOMA, and the opportunity to present at the River Accelerator Demo Day and Founder Field Day at AT&T Park. River Ecosystem partners with Rothenberg Ventures to provide $100,000+ of investment to startups in the River Accelerator.

This fourth River Accelerator program, set to launch September 12, will ultimately join the prestigious River Accelerator alumni network of over 40 companies, including Fove, Emblematic, Roqovan, Psious, Boom Supersonic, and EmergentVR, that collectively have gone on to raise over $100M in funding from investors including Accel, Google Ventures, Samsung NEXT Ventures, and Colopl VR Fund.

Following the kick-off of the new River Accelerator program, River Ecosystem will host the fourth-annual Founder Field Day at AT&T Park on November 13. Ku and Canafax will be an intergral part of the team bringing together sponsorship partners, investors, and founders within the River Network to facilitate valuable connection between frontier technology entrepreneurs, startups, and investors.

"When given the opportunity to bring Jimmy and Nick into River Ecosystem as new partners, I immediately knew I was bringing together the dream team to foster a new phase of growth," said Mike Rothenberg, chairman and founder of River Ecosystem. "Between their shared experience as founders of previous startups, combined with their extensive networks and accelerator backgrounds, we're poised to take the firm, its programs and community experience to the next level."

To learn more about River Ecosytem and the application process for the Fall 2017 River Accelerator program, visit the website at: http://riverecosystem.com/riveraccelerator/

Stereolabs is allowing you to use the Vive or Rift you already have as a AR/MR headset.

Cecile Schmollgruber founded STEREOLABS in 2010. As chief executive officer, Cecile has taken her company to a new level: STEREOLABS is today the leading provider of 3D vision systems. 

Stereolabs is a leading provider of depth and motion sensing solutions for autonomous robotics and VR/AR. Before launching the ZED camera, Stereolabs has a long experience in the 3D movie industry working with clients such Cameron-Pace Group of Avatar fame. Now with their ZED depth sensor, Stereolabs provides a means for machines to see depth the way humans do, for applications in autonomous navigation, AR/VR and more.

Instead of a standalone headset, Stereolabs is releasing a mini stereo camera you clip to the front of a Rift or Vive. From there, it scans the environment in front of it in real-time, while also capturing the "background" video for each eye. The only downside is it's tethered, unlike many of the AR/MR headsets making headlines (including the company's own Linq). But in exchange, consumers can try out an incredible mixed reality experience using tech that's available today, rather than waiting years for standalone headsets to get better, and developers can get a head start working on content (they're shipping an SDK for Unity and Unreal). 

www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Could DIAMONST be the 1st killer app to showcase Apple's AR Kit? Maybe with funding?

After #AWE2017 we are back to work to solve the last bugs and yes, we will use #ARkit for the iOS version of DIAMONST AR RPG#wwdc2017 pic.twitter.com/RkkvF3bOAX

— ZenkoGames (@_ZenkoGames_) June 6, 2017

Could DIAMONST by Zenko Games be the killer app to showcase Apple's AR Kit?

Diamonst will be a story-driven augmented reality experience that will take place in the real world and is inspired by classics JRPGs like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger as well as the more recent Geolocation hit Pokemon Go. 

On the map of your city you will be able to see the missions and the side quests of the story and when you will be close enough you will be able to visualize the events in 3D Augmented Reality (6 degree of freedom AR).

During the single player campaign, you will meet allies, face enemies and solve the riddles that will lead you to discover the reason why the Diamonst have returned to our planet and everything will happen, for the first time, in our world.

Diamonst will mix gameplay mechanics from various turn-based and card games like Magic, Hearthstone, Yu-gi-oh, Pokémon and Yo-Kai watch.

The game will put a lot of focus on intra team and same element synergies that will allow the player to create intricate combos and strategies.

A first playable demo of Diamonst is currently in development with Unity and Vuforia for Android and iOS and will be soon available for Google Tango, Microsoft Hololens and for the Bridge Headset form Occipital.

The team is currently looking for funding to finish the full game.

http://www.catsandvr.com/blog/

Beast In Show @ AWE 2017 is Beast Pets! Check out this interview with the Mother Of Dragons Vivian Tan.

Beast is a VR platform that brings digital pets to virtual "life" through artificial intelligence and personalities. It is also the winner of the very first CatsAndVR Best Of Cute award which goes to the cutest thing I saw at a particular conference.  Seriously Beast Pets are basically smart pets for VR. The dragons are basically flying puppy-kittens that actually interact like I would expect out of Cat Dragons. I spent a little bit rubbing their lil dragon tummies, playing laser with them, and just overall going into cute overload.

I could go further into this cute thing and say Chief Beast Of Beast Inc is cute as a button but I'm not. I'm going to say she is the mother of Dragons and beasting her way with a product that has the potential to not only be a cute VR experience but also have the ability to touch the lives of those who have disabilities. I believe this company is doing a good job of separating it self from the multitudes of VR gaming startups in the ecosystem.

For one Beast Inc is part of the current Boost VR class and is using that to establish connections and be everywhere.  Beast Inc recently had the chance to showcase their product and brand in partnership with SVVR at Maker Faire and was so very well received they won a blue ribbon. 

I ran into the team at AWE2017 and all I really had to say was AWE! I totally loved the product and suggest CatsAndVR readers be part of the beta. We even secured our readers access to the private beta. Just send an email to Team@BeastPets.com and mention CatsAndVR.com sent ya. 

To be completely transparent I was a tad bit jealousy that Vivan beat me to the VR Pet market but I am ok with it because that market I care about looks to be in the hands of a very sharp individual who cares about the product, the ecosystem, and the true value of pet friendship to others. She has partnered with BoostVC, SVVR, and has assembled a team that also cares about her vision including Kate Hughes who is known for her Holo-Dog project for Hololens. 

All in all I believe in this product and I am V glad there are others out there that believe in the Beast Inc vision. 

Edit: Can't end this with out giving a shout out to Beast Co-Founder Mat Tyndall. Thanks for the demo!