The new Tomb Raider movie reboot gets a Gear VR tie in.

Tomb Raider VR: Lara's Escape is now available in the Oculus Gear VR Store. Tomb Raider VR: Lara's Escape is an interactive cinematic VR experience based on the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot, starring Academy-Award winner Alicia Vikander (Jason Bourne, The Danish Girl), coming to theaters March 2018.

Pursued by soldiers, Lara Croft must into an ancient tomb as only she can. Use Lara's flashlight to explore crumbling caverns in the dangerous, trap-filled cave. Wield Lara's bow and climbing axe to escape capture as you rappel, climb and zip-line to safety. The new movie seems to take its style from the recent Tomb Raider game reboot with the edgy Rise of the Tomb Raider being the most recent. 

You can download for free on Samsung Gear VR.

Celebrate the Year Of The Dog with a sale on Stunt Corgi VR

In Stunt Corgi you are the parent of one daring corgi that dreams of being the most famous stunt pet in the world! With your inventory of props, set up the course and choreograph your corgi's routine. Call “Action!” at any time to capture each moment as your corgi struts her stuff. 

To celebrate the Year Of The Dog the team is adding a new skin, a new feature, and some bug fixes. In addition, for the Steam Lunar New Year Sale, Stunt Corgi VR will be 34% off! 

http://store.steampowered.com/app/665080/Stunt_Corgi_VR/

Stunt Corgi VR is aimed at the casual and hardcore players alike.  It comes with tons of pre-made levels to inspire and show what the game is able to do.  It is very easy to learn but also allows for insane course construction that will satisfy the most demanding imaginations.

Catsandvr.com/blog/

Check out the NBA ALL-STAR game in VR with the NBA on TNT VR app.

Starting on February 16th, NBA fans will be able to get their All-Star coverage live and in VR through the NBA on TNT VR app. Through a partnership with Intel, TNT is bringing live and on-demand VR coverage of NBA All-Star events to Gear VR and Daydream headsets. The coverage kicks off on Friday, Feb. 16 with the  2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars at 9:00 p.m. ET followed by the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night (Taco Bell Skills Challenge, JBL Three-Point Contest and Verizon Slam Dunk) Saturday, Feb. 17, 8:00 p.m.

It all culminates on Sunday, Feb. 18 with the 67th NBA All-Star Game, 8:20 p.m. ET.

After the All-Star break, the NBA on TNT VR app will provide NBA coverage in VR through the 2018 Western Conference Finals starting with one game in VR a week. 

Thursday, Feb. 22 LA Clippers @ Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, Mar. 1 Philadelphia @ Cleveland, 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Mar. 8 Boston @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Mar. 20 Houston @ Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, Mar. 29 Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 5 Washington @ Cleveland, 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 10 Boston @ Washington, 8:00 p.m.

http://www.nba.com/vr/nbaontntvr

Wizard Of Oz themed VR runner "Run Dorothy Run" launches on PSVR Feb 20th

Virtro Entertainment – the female-led VR indie game studio out of Vancouver, Canada, today announced that  Run Dorothy Run – an immersive endless-runner and rhythm VR game, with a cheeky take on the classic novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." will be available on February 20th. The game is being released first on Sony PlayStation VR with other platforms to follow shortly after.

Players unravel the curious alliance Dorothy makes with the Wizard of Oz to settle a score with the maybe-not-so-Wicked Witch. Eighteen chapters, three modes of difficulty, and unlockable treasures and trophies make sure that this yellow brick road is a packed journey.

Highlights

• Run, jive, and bob your your way through Oz to an electro-swing soundtrack, while the story unfolds.
• Explore fantastical lands on your journey through 16 levels—on your way, enjoy the Emerald City, the Scorched Plains, the Wicked Witch's castle, and more.
• Unravel the curious alliance Dorothy makes with the Wizard of Oz to settle a score with the maybe not-so-Wicked Witch.
• Clash with enemies, collect magic crystals, and activate power-ups, all to an irresistible  dance beat.

• Immerse yourself in a story that’s as compelling as the effects—a perfect blend of whimsical fantasy and comedy, designed specifically for VR.
• Get rocking—work out both your body and mind in an energetic, action-packed adventure.
• But don’t take yourself too seriously—navigate the crazy plot twists with your tongue firmly in your cheek.
• Easy to play, challenging to master—three modes of difficulty ensure that from Grandma to Game Guru, you’ll enjoy a VR challenge that keeps you moving and tests you to the max.

About Virtro

An independent VR gaming studio based in Vancouver, Canada, Virtro was founded by female Aussie duo, Jordan and Lee Brighton. Virtro's team of 10, designs VR game titles that everyone can enjoy and that blend excellent game mechanics, storytelling, effects, art, music, and VR technology. Virtro has a culture of inclusion and diversity –  in both the team (50% of dev team are female) and in the titles the team designs.

Strap your PlayStation Move controller to a plushy toy and go pet crazy as Konrad the Kitten launches on PSVR on Feb 23rd.

Virtual pet simulator, Konrad the Kitten, will be launched on PlayStation VR on February 23rd.  Currently the game is on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in Early Access. Konrad the Kitten is a virtual reality cat tamagotchi game in which you satisfy Konrad's needs and desires, play mini-games full of action, and unlock more than 50 accessories!

A particular highlight for all cat fans is the unique plush toy mode. This feature brings your favorite plush toy to life as a virtual cat, letting you feel like it’s really there. Hold it, cuddle it and play with it as though it were your real pet.

Play pawsome mini-games and win valuable coins. Hunt mice with Konrad, and catch as many of the nimble rodents as you can. Put your skills and reactions to the test in the fishing game. Or try out the obstacle course, guiding Konrad carefully and skilfully through rings. The more you care for him, the faster his experience increases and his love for you grows. Look after him daily and care for him as though he were a real furry friend.

New gameplay footage of the upcoming PSVR title Moss shows that it is still going to be one of the cutest games of 2018.

Moss is an adorable adventure game puts you in a fantasy world, aiding a courageous mouse on her journey through bright forests and damp caves. Many have become captivated by this upcoming cute PSVR title since it was revealed at E3 2017. Though Moss is the first title Polyarc is releasing as a studio, the team has years of experience and Moss looks to be a real work of heart. In a recent PlayStation blog post, Polyarc revealed a new vertical slice of the game showcasing the gameplay mechanics at work.

In a recent interview Polyarc studio director, Tam Armstrong told Playstation 

"We didn’t want to make the player move around a lot, so we wanted to build a game where everything is happening in a reachable space, For the concept we had, that meant that the character needed to fit within arm’s length. A small character resulted from that, then it was a question of ‘how do we theme that?’ That’s where Quill came from.” 

The team at Polyarc have also spent time on developing new ways for interaction in VR.  Though Quill does not speak to the player, Quill does communicate through squeaks and actions to help the player. Recently the team decided to see if adding sign language as an option to communicate would be well received.

Since she can only squeak, I figured I'd play around with ways she can communicate with the player. Also a great perk for our deaf players. pic.twitter.com/BAiPc8CUMO

— Richard Lico (@Foofinu) August 3, 2017

6) And we know that everyone is waiting for the official Moss release date. We’re still on track and are busy putting the finishing touches on the game. Stay tuned for more updates. #Moss

— Polyarc Games (@PolyarcGames) February 12, 2018

The game is highly anticipated by PSVR fans. The game is expected to launch soon but if you need a cute fix right Polyarc announced an official Moss iMessage sticker pack. Now fans can send 21 animated Quill stickers to anyone using the Messages app. 

If fans want to further customize their desktop or phone, check out these new Moss in-game and concept art backgrounds and wallpapers.

While writing this post I also saw that there is some other great Moss stuff on Amazon and now I'm skipping on lunch to get a Quill pin. https://www.polyarcgames.com

Multiplayer VR Dinosaur adventure ARK Park launching March 22

The VR multiplayer adventure ARK Park – based on Studio Wildcard’s survival game ARK: Survival Evolved – will be released Thursday, March 22 during the Game Developers Conference. 

ARK Park allows HTC Vive, PSVR, and Oculus Rift users to interact with the majestic creatures last seen in the popular action-adventure survival game ARK: Survival Evolved – fulfilling the dream of meeting living, breathing dinosaurs “face-to-face” through a series of exquisite VR-powered theme-park attractions.

“ARK Park takes the world of ARK: Survival Evolved into a wonderful and haunting new direction. It embraces virtual reality while offering players the tight gameplay mechanics from its predecessor. We’re thrilled to deliver Snail Games’ first VR title to our fans in March – and we couldn’t be more pleased with the team’s hard work throughout the development of ARK Park.”
- Tianqi Wu (Vice President, Snail Games)

Two editions will be available at launch: standard and deluxe. The latter includes extra outfits – along with an exclusive dinosaur mount!

Features: 

Exploration
Tour distinctive primal environments solo or with a group of friends. These excursions can be relaxing and challenging at the same time. Step into the tropical rainforests, snow-covered mountains, and expansive plains – along with the dinosaurs that call these habitats home!

Gene Collecting
Visitors may collect “Gene Cubes” from the many extinct creatures during excursions. However, collecting all of them can be challenging due to the reclusive habits of particular species. Determined visitors will need to use a combination of puzzle-solving, exploration, and careful resource management to bag the most prized animals. The gene cubes are necessary for unlocking blueprints, which can be used to craft tools, lures, items and weapons.

Dinosaur Breeding
Incubate the eggs you collect and raise your own little dinosaurs. Gather food to keep them fed and watch them grow. You may also spray paint your dinosaur using the warpaint system from ARK: Survival Evolved. Nothing beats the feeling of going on dinosaur rides as your baby dinosaur grows into adulthood :)
 

Combat
In Story Mode, something goes wrong with the park’s Brainwave Device – resulting in herds of rampaging dinosaurs everywhere. You and your friends must defend the base (and other humans) with custom-made weaponry – including a selection of melee and ranged weapons, along with other highly-effective combat items. Swords, spears, pistols, scatterguns, and grenades will be available at launch.

Multiplayer Gameplay
Excursions are much easier to complete when players can brainstorm and search for secrets together. More difficult Hunting Maps require close collaboration and teamwork for best results!

AVAILABILITY
ARK Park will be available on Steam VR/HTC Vive, PSVR, and Oculus Rift on Thursday, March 22.
Designed from the ground up as a stunningly realistic dinosaur theme park simulation, ARK Park allows players to freely traverse the grounds without any restrictions whatsoever. There’s no set plot or schedule to follow; you can choose how and where to go next at all times – exploring the prehistoric park at your own pace.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/529910/ARK_Park/

Virtual Reality Broadcast Platform Vreal Raises $11.7 Million in Series A Funding

Vreal just landed $11.7 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Axioma Ventures, along with new investors Intel Capital and AET Fund, as well as existing participating investors Upfront Ventures, Vulcan Capital and CRCM Ventures. Vreal will use the funding to further develop and launch their platform, paving the way for gamers to create, share, and enjoy video game content all within virtual reality.

The Series A round brings the total company funding to $15 million. The newly raised funds give Vreal the resources to launch the platform, refine its content creation tools, and scale as the VR market expands. “VR is an immersive medium, and Vreal is the only way for viewers to step inside someone else’s VR gameplay and enjoy VR content the way it’s meant to be experienced.” said Todd Hooper, Founder and CEO of Vreal. “Immersive virtual worlds are the future of gaming, and we’re building the highway that will take viewers to curated gameplay experiences, all alongside their friends and favorite gaming personalities.”

Along with the Series A financing, Vreal welcomes two industry veterans to its board of directors. Representing Axioma Ventures is Chet Faliszek, known for his work on Valve’s Left 4 Dead and Portal series, who brings his expertise from his pioneering work on SteamVR. “As VR becomes more accessible, so will the need for compelling VR broadcast content that moves beyond simple 360 video,” said Faliszek. “Viewers will demand the freedom they have in VR games to be in their viewing experiences.”

Vreal works directly with content creators and networks like Rooster Teeth, Machinima, and Hyper RPG to shape the platform, design production tools, and explore new ways of building engaging VR content for gaming audiences.

“Digital content creators are entertainers, and they are hungry for new kinds of unique programming formats to bring to their audiences,” said Chris M. Williams, founder and CEO of the new kids’ media company pocket.watch. “Vreal has been delivering exactly that to its first group of creator partners and I’m confident many, many more will find it valuable.” Williams,   previously the Chief Audience Officer at Maker Studios which Disney acquired in 2014, joins Faliszek on the Vreal board of directors.

Vreal is currently in closed alpha testing. For more information or to sign up for future tests, please visit this link.

About Vreal®
Vreal is the first broadcast platform for virtual reality entertainment. Vreal enables content creators to record, stream, and share VR experiences with their fans, whether viewers are enjoying the content on a VR headset or watching on a 2D screen. Viewers can join their friends in immersive VR streams made by their favorite content creators. For more information, follow Vreal on Twitter at: @VREALofficial or visit http://vreal.net.

About Axioma Ventures
Axioma Ventures is a venture firm with Fortune 100 executive leadership and a global presence. Axioma supports emerging tech businesses with expansion capital to accelerate growth.

Oculus Launchpad winning VR experience "I Am A Man" is a historical walk in the shoes of those who struggled for our civil rights.

I Am A Man VR Experience Trailer from Derek Ham on Vimeo.

I Am a Man! is a declaration of civil rights used as a personal statement and as a declaration of independence against oppression. During the Civil Rights Movement at the Memphis sanitation strike in 1968, "I AM A MAN!" signs were used as part of the protests for equal treatment. 

Dr. Derek Ham's upcoming VR experience  I AM A MAN challenges us to never forget the battles that had to be fought in order for many Americans to have civil liberties today.  I AM A MAN drops you into the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike as one of the men who pushed for equality. 

Virtual Reality is important and Dr. Derek Ham uses this tool to show us that we have a responsibility to never forget the history of those who fought long and hard for the freedoms we have today. 

I Am a Man - Diorama of Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike - National Civil Rights Museum - Downtown Memphis - Tennessee - USA

The strike became one of the major identifiers of the broader struggles for equality within Memphis and the United States as a whole. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the Memphis strike on March 18, speaking to an audience of thousands at Mason Temple. 

President Obama met former members of the strike in 2011

The free 15-minute experience will be available in April at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. April marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr.  The creator of the project, Dr. Derek Ham looks to also bring this experience to schools and libraries across the country.  This project was supported by Oculus Launchpad  Oculus Launch Pad is a program designed to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds.

http://www.iamamanvr.com/

WebVR pioneers look to turn Supermedium into the home for fresh and diverse VR experiences.

The creators of VR web framework ‘A-Frame have launched a new fully VR browser called Supermedium. The team behind the product have lots of experience in Web-based VR as they were part of the original Mozilla team behind the WebVR initiative. Now the team is part of the Y Combinator Winter batch with a goal of breathing freshness and diversity into the VR content ecosystem.

The beauty of web-based VR is that content loads fast and has an easier barrier to entry. This allows for quicker experiences for the user and more experimentation opportunities for creators.  A VR Gif, a low fidelity game, a VR journalism page dedicated to Cats And VR, the possibilities are endless. If you want to spend 2 or 20 minutes on those experiences you don't have to worry about installing an app since you can travel just like you would the classic web. 

To start the team is featuring a few dozen curated VR sites. Traditional URL input will be supported later on as more VR sites appear and also adhere to best practices for WebVR. The platform also currently supports both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets.

We witnessed first-hand how slow the Web was to react to the rise of
smartphones and app store ecosystems. We're not going to let that happen again
with VR. We want to ensure the Web is a first-class citizen for VR and for
immersive platforms going forward. For the next big personal computing shifts,
we think we're right on time. - Kevin Ngo, Diego Marcos, Diego Goberna

https://www.supermedium.com/

PSVR’s Bravo Team Is Getting An Aim Controller Bundle

Team-based #PSVR FPS Bravo Team is almost here, and it works great with the PlayStation VR Aim Controller! Grab this new bundle, which includes the game and Aim Controller, at @GameStop starting March 6. pic.twitter.com/bYuQBwaOlE

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 1, 2018

Until Dawn developers, Supermassive have been on a PSVR role as of late. The team launched the very well received survival horror game "The Impatient" last week and their PSVR launch title Until Dawn: Rush Of Blood received great reviews from noted game journalists like Jim Sterling.

Well their upcoming VR shooter Bravo Team launches on March 6th and it will be available in a PSVR Aim controller bundle. This is the second bundle to feature the Aim controller, following the one that launched with Farpoint. That bundle sold out quickly and only recently saw some restocks. Though only a few games support the Aim controller it does make the experience of games that do like Doom VFR way more immersive. 

In Bravo Team, you and your teammate are totally surrounded. Trapped in hostile territory,  Only cool thinking in the heat of battle will see you through to the end of your mission. The game packs a variety of shotguns, pistols and automatic weapons into a very Time Crisis-like experience. The PlayStation aim controller should make the gritty, guerrilla warfare of Bravo Team a PSVR highlight of 2018. 

Multiplayer zany racing game ‘Sprint Vector’ on PC VR Feb 8th, Feb 13th for PSVR

Survios, a global leader in virtual reality development and publishing, today announced that the studio’s second title, the hotly anticipated multiplayer adrenaline platformer Sprint Vector, will launch on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on February 8, followed by PlayStation VR on February 13.

In Sprint Vector, up to eight players compete simultaneously in a high stakes, high-octane intergalactic game show created by media mastermind Mr. Entertainment. As the show’s dynamic athletic personalities—the fastest sprinters “recruited” from across the universe—players must navigate colorful but deadly obstacle courses full of twists, turns, traps, boosts, power-ups, shortcuts, and platforming elements.

Sprint Vector takes advantage of Survios’ groundbreaking and proprietary Fluid Locomotion™ system, an intuitive and comfortable method for achieving breakneck speed and mobility in VR with minimal to no discomfort. Players achieve speed by pumping their arms, similar to a runner’s movement, and turning their heads to steer. Further controls allow racers to jump, climb, drift, fling, and fly at frenetic speeds.

Further Sprint Vector features include:

• *Competitive multiplayer matches: Public and private online multiplayer modes pit up to eight players against each other in intense, high-speed races as you vie for a spot on the Global Leaderboards.
• *12 competitive race tracks: Scale towering pyramids and plunge into alien ruins, leap across bottomless pits while dodging debilitating blobs of sludge, or survive the trap-riddled streets of an ancient city. A dozen complex race courses full of obstacles, alternate paths, and game-changing power-ups make for endless replay value.
• *Customizable solo play: Run the course at your own pace and learn the ropes with customizable solo game settings.
• *Nine challenge courses: Take on these diabolical courses designed to test your sprinting prowess to the extreme. Tackle three specific challenges across nine single-player challenge courses with Local and Global Leaderboards.
• *Eight intergalactic competitors: Choose from eight colorful characters pulled from every corner of the galaxy, from notorious street artist Daxx to ethereal Luna to streetwise hammerhead Hendrix, each with multiple skins to unlock.
• *Power-ups galore: Utilize a wide range of power-ups, from explosive proximity mines to nitro speed and racer-seeking rockets, to gain an advantage over the competition.

At launch, the Sprint Vector Championship Intergalactica Winter Games cosmetic skins pack will be available to all PC racers free of charge. Arriving just in time for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, these international-inspired skins represent 16 countries and are available across all eight playable characters.

Ideal for VR eSports, Sprint Vector made its debut as a spectator-worthy eSport at CES 2018 with the Alienware VR Cup Championship, and aspiring competitors can sprint to glory at home, at VR arcades, and in the numerous national and global challenges Survios will offer.

The Sacramento Kings participate in Xperiel $7 Million Series A to push their IoT and AR platform.

 Xperiel, inventor of the Real World Web (RWW) platform, today announced $7 million in Series A funding, which includes new investments from Scott Cook, Co-Founder of Intuit, Cyan Banister of Founders Fund, WTI and the National Basketball Association’s Sacramento Kings.

The new investment will fuel the company’s growth and expansion into markets beyond sports technology. With this additional funding, Xperiel will be well positioned to help businesses deploy Xperiel’s patented RWW platform and easily integrate augmented reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices into their existing brick-and-mortar infrastructure to enrich their customer engagement strategies.

Inside of the Kings + Golden 1 Center app, Xperiel has developed two unique activations for guests to interact with the world’s most technologically advanced arena. Through the Call the Shot game, fans can make predictions about what will happen during the game and collect points based on their wagers, whether they are attending the game or watching from around the world. The Photo in the Plaza function lets fans share their photos to be displayed on the arena’s custom 25-foot vertical video screens at the Grand Entrance as guests arrive on game night.

“The enhanced Sacramento Kings experience extends off the court and into the hands of our guests through their devices,” said Kings Chief Technology Officer Ryan Montoya. “Xperiel’s advancement in linking next-generation technology with real-time data, an array of sensors and beacons in a device agnostic platform represents the future of customer engagement and we’re thrilled to be a part of their growth beyond sports.”

“AR and IoT technologies have been siloed from the tools and processes that can expand their capabilities. This lack of interconnection is why we started Xperiel -- to create a layer that helps companies connect the physical and digital worlds and provide mixed-reality experiences for consumers across any OS or mobile device,” said Alex Hertel, CEO and Co-Founder of Xperiel. “We are grateful that our new and existing investors see the value in providing everyone with the tools needed to build their own corner of the Real World Web and look forward to bringing our platform to new markets, including healthcare and large consumer brands.”

In the coming months, the Kings and Xperiel will roll out additional features in the Kings + Golden 1 Center app that allow arena guests to take advantage of the sports industry’s most powerful network of beacons, Wi-Fi access points, and connected point of sale systems, powered by a tier 4 data center and a 2 x 100 GBPS internet connection.

About Xperiel

Today’s modern consumers are unreachable by traditional engagement methods because they demand more interactive, authentic experiences with the brands they love. These experiences occur where the physical and digital worlds connect, the place Xperiel calls the Real World Web (RWW). In Xperiel’s RWW, and through the company’s platform, brands can use new, powerful and patented technology that can reach customers within the completely connected, social and mobile world they live. Started by the inventors of the first mobile payment technology that became Google Wallet, Xperiel allows brands to quickly create interactive, immersive digital experiences for consumers that result in deeper, more meaningful interactions. Companies in professional sports, entertainment, retail and other industries, including the New York Jets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Dodgers and Pepsico, use Xperiel to maximize the value of their digital investments and design immersive applications that work across any device or operating system. Xperiel has seen active user engagement that is 20X higher than Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, and Google, demonstrating that it is meeting the needs of the most demanding modern consumer.

Tencent invests in film and VR maker Skydance Media, the company behind Archangel

Skydance Media, LLC (“Skydance”), a diversified media company that creates elevated, event-level entertainment for global audiences across multiple platforms, and Tencent Holdings Limited (“Tencent”, SEHK: 00700), a leading provider of Internet value-added services in China, announced today that they have entered into a partnership, with Tencent making a strategic investment in Skydance Media.

The investment is part of a broader strategic partnership, which provides a global platform for project-level collaboration and will also allow Skydance to access Tencent’s expertise in Asia and gaming to further build out its presence in these markets. 

Partnership initiatives will include the opportunity for Tencent to co-finance Skydance films, as well as to market, distribute and merchandise in China. The partnership also supports collaboration on other media initiatives, including television, interactive and virtual reality.

“We are thrilled and honored to be entering into a strategic partnership with Tencent, whose global reach and position within the Chinese marketplace is truly unmatched”, said David Ellison, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Skydance Media.  “Skydance has experienced a tremendous amount of growth since our inception in 2010, and we're excited that our next phase of expansion will be in partnership with a company that shares our vision for where entertainment is heading.”

“Skydance is nurturing successful entertainment franchises, especially in the action and science fiction genres, which are particularly popular in China. We believe this partnership will support Skydance’s expansion internationally, across media and into television production, and provide Tencent with attractive content that we can share with China consumers,” said James Mitchell, Chief Strategy Officer at Tencent.

Skydance has developed valuable brands across its four pillars of Film, Television, Animation and Interactive entertainment. They are currently in production on the new Mission: Impossible film starring Tom Cruise, directed by Christopher McQuarrie; Gemini Man starring Will Smith, directed by Ang Lee; the next Terminator film produced by James Cameron, directed by Tim Miller; and two animated films – Luck, written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, directed by Alessandro Carloni and Split written by Linda Woolverton, directed by Vicky Jenson. 

In addition, Skydance produces and retains the rights to several of the most-successful action, adventure and science fiction franchises of all time, including Star Trek, G.I. Joe, World War Z and Top Gun contributing to nearly $5 billion in worldwide box office.

Furthermore, Skydance TV has become one of the most prolific independent TV studios, creating and financing 8 premium series to date, including the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated hit Grace and Frankie and the upcoming Altered Carbon on Netflix, Jack Ryan on Amazon, Dietland on AMC, andCondor on Audience Network. The Company also has produced and released multiple AAA virtual reality games through Skydance Interactive, including the critically acclaimed Archangel VR and the upcoming Walking Dead VR game.

Tencent uses technology to enrich the lives of Internet users. Every day, hundreds of millions of people communicate, share experiences, consume information and seek entertainment through its integrated platforms. Tencent’s diversified services include QQ, Weixin / WeChat for communications, Qzone for social networking, QQ Game Platform for online games, QQ.com and Tencent News for information and Tencent Video for video content. In addition, Tencent Pictures was founded in 2015 as a production company that creates films based on books, comic books, animated series, and video games. In September 2017, the Company announced 43 upcoming projects, which cover movies, TV series and online series, as well as pan-entertainment projects based on IP collaboration.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Skydance. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal advisor to Tencent.

NEON BULLET HELL "BLASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE" COMING TO PS VR ON FEB. 27

Primetime Emmy® Award-winning developer Secret Location and publisher Archiact have joined forces to bring the unabashed bullet hell mayhem of Blasters of the Universe to PlayStation®VR. Available on Feb. 27, 2018, nimbleness will be key in Blasters of the Universe as players duck, dodge and deflect their way through increasingly challenging levels in a neon-bathed world inspired by the outrageous cover art of 90s VHS tapes.

Praised by critics and players alike on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, Secret Location’s arcade shooter Blasters of the Universe pulls PS VR gamers into a searing technicolor VR battle against nerd-turned-evil-genius Grand Master Alwyn. His endless waves of spiraling projectiles and hordes of minions encapsulate the player in an onslaught of danger that’s core to the notorious bullet hell genre. But even those who master the game’s physical challenges will struggle to maintain their composure against Grand Master Alwyn’s embarrassing attempts at hurling terribly outdated insults towards the player.

“We made Blasters of the Universe with Archiact to inject the pure intensity of classic bullet hell games with modern VR’s innate ability to immerse and impress gamers. This game also really takes advantage of VR’s accessibility, making the infamous bullet hell genre a cinch to pick-up-and-play while still honoring its challenging roots,” said Josh Manricks, Technical Director and Project Lead at Secret Location. “I just have one piece of advice for those new to our game: careful not to eye-roll yourself to death – Grand Master Alwyn is seriously ridiculous!”

Blasters of the Universe requires two PlayStation MoveTM controllers, one for shield-wielding and one for brandishing a weapon with over 130,000 ways to customize it to match the player’s style. Those preferring an easier experience can tone down the action with the all-new Casual mode that brings down the difficulty of enemies’ attacks. On the flip side, those seeking a true test of endurance and adrenaline can engage with the Endless mode that’s tailormade for high score junkies.

Blasters of the Universe was developed with the support of the Canadian Media Fund and Ontario Media Development Corporation.

The 2018 GDC survey shows that interest may now be waning for VR development.

The 2018 Game Developers Conference (GDC) has released the results of the sixth annual State of the Industry Survey, revealing trends in the games industry ahead of GDC 2018 this March. With responses from nearly 4,000 game developers, this year’s survey results reflect a growing level of developer interest in the Nintendo Switch, with 12% of respondents currently developing games for Nintendo’s unique hybrid console. This represents a significant jump from last year’s survey, in which only 3% of respondents said they were working on a Switch title.

Other findings include a continued investment in “Loot Boxes,” with one in 10 developers planning support for the practice, despite recent pushback from press and consumers. While interest in PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One development has gone up since last year, interest in mobile game development and VR, while still strong, has begun to slip this year.

Developers embraced VR, but interest now seems to be waning

When asked what platform their current game will be released on, 19% of survey respondents said “VR headsets.” While these numbers reflect healthy interest in immersive technologies, these same respondents expressed plans for a decreased involvement in these same technologies in the future. When asked what platform(s) they expected their next game would be released on, only 17% said VR headsets.

For the third year in a row, the survey asked respondents whether they believe VR/AR is a long-term, sustainable business, and for the first time, the 2018 survey sees a rise in the number of “No” answers. In the past two years, the responses to that question were roughly 75% “Yes” to 25% “No.” However, this year, 71% of respondents said “Yes” and 29% said “No,” they don’t see VR/AR as a sustainable business.

In its entirety, the survey reflects even more emerging trends from the game development community, including increased confidence in eSports as a long-term sustainable business, Android continuing to marginally beat iOS in mobile developer interest, social media seen as the #1 most effective way to get the word out about their games, a continued reliance on self-funding for game development, and more.

A more detailed analysis of the survey can be found at http://reg.gdconf.com/GDC-State-of-Game-Industry-2018. More information about the 2018 Game Developers Conference and registration can be found at www.gdconf.com. For the latest updates on GDC, follow the official Twitter account @Official_GDC.

Darren Aronofsky produced VR Experience lands a massive seven-figure deal at Sundance.

Executive produced by Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel, and Jessica Chastain, who also serves as the narrator and with an original score comes from Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon the minds behind the Stranger Things, Spheres just landed a massive seven-figure deal at Sundance.

VR financing and distribution venture CityLights announced today that it is acquiring Spheres-a virtual reality journey that transports viewers into the deepest pockets of the Universe to bring to life interactive visions of future worlds and explore our oneness with the cosmos. 

The first episode premiered last weekend as part of Sundance’s New Frontier programming  and Spheres will be coming to Oculus Rift this year.

Big news from @sundancefest: SPHERES acquired for seven figures. Huge congrats to Writer/Director @Eliza_McNitt + Exec Producer @DarrenAronofsky! https://t.co/n3xyg6pR4o

— Oculus (@oculus) January 24, 2018

PlayStation VR exclusive Pop-Up Pilgrims comes to our hearts in time for Valentines Day.

Independent games developer Dakko Dakko, the team behind acclaimed titles Scram Kitty And His Buddy On Rails, Floating Cloud God Saves the Pilgrims, and The 2D Adventures of Rotating Octopus Character, has revealed its first foray into virtual-reality with Pop-Up Pilgrims, coming exclusively to PlayStation VR on Feb 13th.

In Pop-Up Pilgrims, players guide a group of devoted followers across colourful pop-up islands - uniquely presented as 2D platforms in a wraparound 3D space. More than 50 layered stages curve around the player as the pilgrims jump from platform to platform in an effort to reclaim their beloved deity’s stolen source of power.

“Developing in VR presented some interesting challenges but mostly great opportunities to take the gameplay in exciting new directions,” said Rhodri Broadbent, founder of Dakko Dakko. “Pop Up Pilgrimssprings both from our love of classic arcade experiences and from the ways new technology can enable new gameplay. We custom-built the engine for this game so the picturebook visuals bounce smoothly around the player even as the intensity ramps up.”

Set in beautifully hand-drawn world, you’ll manage the pilgrims’ migration as they mill about its menagerie of pop-up islands, contending with a slew of demonic bosses along the way. All of the action is set to the catchy, upbeat tunes Dakko Dakko is known for, and with their charming character designs leaping out like never before in a glorious VR space. Pop-Up Pilgrims was built from the ground up for VR using the studio’s custom 2D VR engine, capable of rendering crisp, high definition images at a silky-smooth frame rate.

To learn more about Pop-Up Pilgrims visit: http://dakkodakko.com/site/pop-up-pilgrims/

Former Altspace CEO Eric Romo joins Facebook as Director of Product for Social VR.

Eric Romo, who founded AltspaceVR in January 2013, will be moving to the role of Director of Product at Facebooks’s Social VR team, the group behind Facebook Spaces.

Romo is joining Facebook as a product director, according to a post by Facebook’s social VR team leader Rachel Rubin Franklin. 

"Today the Facebook Social VR team is getting one avatar bigger! I'm incredibly excited that Eric Romo, founder and CEO of AltspaceVR, is joining us as a Product Director. Eric is a pioneer in the social VR space who shares our vision of building virtual reality with people at the center. He's spent years building virtual communities to bring people together around common interests and compelling content.

Eric joins a talented team filled with experts from the worlds of gaming, film, art, design, engineering, research, and more. Last year we took some early steps toward exploring what human connection can look like in VR, and we have ambitious plans to learn and ship even more this year. With lots to tackle in 2018, I'm thrilled to have Eric on board. VR has such immense promise to connect people in new ways, and it's only the beginning. Eric, welcome to the team."

In his own statement Eric looked forward to his future at Facebook. 

“As I look back at my journey with AltspaceVR, I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. We built one of the first and most vibrant places to meet in VR — starting before the first consumer headsets even shipped! But it’s really the community of passionate people that has grown around AltspaceVR that amazes me most, and continues to confirm my belief that being together with others in VR will revolutionize the way we connect with each other. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I left AltspaceVR with confidence that the team is well-placed to continue pushing forward the promise of virtual communication as part of the Microsoft mixed reality ecosystem. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next, and wish them all the best.”

The new Paul George Nike and Playstation colab is the shoe for your VR future.

Paul George considers himself one of the biggest gamers in the NBA. Ever since getting his PS2 for Christmas as a kid, he has always wanted to work with Playstation.

"This collaboration has been a long time coming. Ask me what my favorite PlayStation memory is and I’ll tell you it’s when my dad got me a PS2 for Christmas. I’d been dropping hints left and right because I knew that was it. That was the next big thing. You could say the same with Nike. As a kid, I’d make sketches of what I wanted my Nike shoes to look like because it’s something I’ve always wanted to be a part of. Now I have the opportunity to make something very special and personal to me with the help of two of my favorite brands."- Paul George

Working with designers from both Nike and PlayStation, Paul George took inspiration from the console’s DualShock 4 controller and the iconic symbols that have been a part of every PlayStation product to create a colorway that honored his game both on and off the court.

A few interesting things that you should know about the colorway:

• The tongues of the shoe sport the PG and PlayStation logos, which illuminate and pulsate blue just like when turning on the console
• The back heel of the left shoe has a unique barcode that contains a PSN voucher code, which can be redeemed at PlayStation Store for a Paul George Dynamic Theme for your PS4
• The colors of the sneaker pay homage to the buttons on the DualShock 4 controller
• The iconic PlayStation symbols are embossed in patent leather on each shoe
• The look of the PG Dynamic Theme is reflected in the sock liner on each shoe

The PG2 “PlayStation” colorway drops globally on February 10, 2018. For more information on the release, download the Nike SNKRS app.