Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is getting a special VR version soon, coming exclusively to Quest 3 and 3S next week.
Developed by Playside Studios in partnership with Meta, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – VR is coming to Quest on April 10th, bringing both solo play and online multiplayer with other Quest 3 users.
Like in the PC and console version of the game, your goal is to guide your nation through history, choosing a leader and either allying yourself or battling it out against the other world powers.
If you’ve never played any version of Civilization, in Civilization VII – VR you’ll pick a starting age, each of which has unique challenges and rewards
Ages include the Antiquity Age, where you establish the foundation of your empire, the Exploration Age, where you uncover distant lands, and the Modern Age, which is all about technological and industrial growth.
What sets the VR version apart though (besides VR support) is its immersive ‘War Table’, where you can not only command your civilization like a proper tabletop game, but zoom in and out, and tilt the table for optimal viewing.
There, you’ll explore and engage rival civilizations and go face-to-face with both AI and human opponents, allowing you to use your diplomacy to negotiate peace, or prepare for war.
It’s also launching with both virtual and mixed reality modes, the latter of which lets you use passthrough so you can see your real-world surroundings.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – VR is already available for preorder over on the Horizon Store for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, priced at $60.
Meta has signed a multiyear deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to become its ‘Official Fan Technology Partner’, which means we could see even tighter integration of the organization’s mixed martial arts matches across Quest and the companies other platforms.
The UFC says it’s set to leverage Meta’s “leading technologies to deliver unprecedented engagement with hundreds of millions of UFC fans around the world,” which includes Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.
Additionally, the UFC says Meta will become its ‘Official AI Glasses Partner’, and will “work with UFC to creatively use their groundbreaking AI glasses in compelling ways at UFC events.”
“I’ve had a lot of great partners over the years that have helped us grow this sport, but Mark and his team at Meta are going to do things that will blow away UFC fans,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level. We’ve already started to work on some innovations with Meta around a new fighter rankings system that I’ll be sharing soon. The next few years will be an absolute game changer for fans of this sport.”
Priscilla Chan (left) and Mark Zuckerbeg (right) at a UFC match in March | Image courtesy Mark Zuckerberg
The matchup makes a good deal of sense, as Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has become a fan of the sport over the years, even engaging in a number of Jiu Jitsu competitions.
“I love this sport and I’m looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways,” said Zuckerberg.
White also joined Meta’s board of directors in January alongside John Elkann, CEO of investment firm Exor, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst.
In terms of what it brings to Quest, the details are still thin. While not specific to XR as such, Meta says it’s slated to integrate UFC assets “with extensive activations in all Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights, including brand placement in the world-famous Octagon, numerous broadcast features, and creative in-arena fan experiences.”
The deal is also set to include Meta’s social platform Threads featuring exclusive original UFC content.
In 2022, the UFC first partnered with Meta to bring 180-degree Fight Pass livestreams to Horizon Worlds, Quest’s social VR platform, as well as the Xtadium app. With the new partnership, it’s possible the two are looking to expand and evolve licensing across Quest, which could give UFC matches even greater visibility on the platform.
The companies say more details about the partnership are slated to arrive soon.
Despite wide-ranging backwards compatibility with Nintendo’s previous consoles, we can’t say we had high hopes for this one. As we suspected, Nintendo has now confirmed that its Labo VR Kit won’t work on the newly unveiled Nintendo Switch 2.
Released in 2019, Nintendo’s Labo: Toy-Con 04 VR Kit was the company first public experiment in modern VR, which included a cardboard holder and lenses, letting Switch owners slot in the handheld console to play a variety of interesting mini-games, many of which included their own one-off DIY cardboard gadgets.
Now, after the company’s big Nintendo Direct livestream yesterday, which included the unveiling on its $450 Switch 2 handheld, the company says Labo VR simply won’t work on its next-gen console—fairly obvious, since Switch 2’s 7.9 inch (~20cm) display is larger than the original’s 6.2 inch (15.75cm) display.
“The Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles accessory, so this game cannot be played,” Nintendo confirms in its official Switch 2 game compatibility guide.
Image courtesy Nintendo
That also means you won’t be able to play any of the Nintendo titles that support basic VR viewing on that higher-res (but larger), higher frame rate display, which included The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
That said, the company introduced Labo VR well after the launch of the original Switch, which came out in 2017, so it’s possible the Japanese gaming giant could have something else up its sleeve, again moving in its usual slow and deliberate manner.
For now, there are only really a few measly crumbs of hope. In 2024 Nintendo published a patent for a VR add-on similar to Labo VR, which seems closer to a Cardboard-like design that would slot into a Nintendo handheld. Granted, all products have patents, but not all patents have products, so it could just be another case of Nintendo marking territory rather than creating a product as such.
There was also a rumor in late 2023 that Nintendo was partnering with Google to create a standalone headset, although we’ve heard nothing since. Instead, Google seems to be focusing on developing its Android XR operating system for the upcoming Samsung Project Moohan mixed reality headset.
Animal Company, the free-to-play early access game on Quest, has been at the top of the platform’s highest-earning games multiple weeks in a row own, with long-time favorite Gorilla Tag sitting right behind it. And the Lethal Company-inspired game isn’t showing any signs of waning in popularity either.
Animal Company crossed a boundary only one other game has managed to do; Another Axiom’s Gorilla Tag was the first to garner over 100,000 user reviews on Quest, doing so last March—making it by far the most successful game on the platform, both in review numbers and revenue generated.
Now, Wooster Games’ Animal Company, which includes Gorilla Tag’s arm-based locomotion and action from hit survival game Lethal Company, has crossed the 100K user review mark, nearly doubling user reviews since the studio announced it had topped 1 million monthly active users (MAU) last month. And it’s done so remarkably fast.
This time last month, Animal Company was sitting around over 60,000 user reviews on the Horizon Store, while Gorilla Tag was just above 140,000. This past month alone, Animal Company has rocketed to over 108,000 user reviews, while Gorilla Tag has only tallied 6,000 more over the course of the month.
According to figures obtained by independent data aggregator VRDB, there was a big boost in user reviews starting in mid-March:
Image courtesy VRDB
Provided the game continues its current trajectory, Animal Company could conceivably unseat Gorilla Tag as Quest’s most popular game when it comes to user reviews, although there a few more metrics to account for.
Consistent daily active users (DAU) and MAU metrics are pretty important too, which is why Gorilla Tag is still the most popular game on Quest week-in and week-out—although Animal Company is now right behind it.
Ultimately, this ongoing explosion of users also needs to translate into growing revenue for the studio, something Wooster hasn’t shared since it first turned on microtransactions in September—meaning there’s no telling how that success has translated into real-world revenue.
Last month, Wooster Games did tell Road to VR however the launch of in-app purchases has left the studio in “a strong and healthy position.”
“Since launching monetization in September, our revenue has grown consistently month-over-month, more than doubling since December,” the studio told Road to VR in March. “The real standout stat, though, is our player base—Animal Company now has over 1 million MAU, a 4x increase since December.”
This comes as the Quest platform is seeing a growing demographic shift spurred on by the release of Quest 3S, Meta’s $300 mixed reality headset. Meta confirmed earlier this year that the rise F2P content and younger players is seeing a boom in revenue generated from in-app purchases—like the ones you’ll find in Animal Company or Gorilla Tag.
The key question now is whether this momentum will translate into sustained engagement and revenue growth over time. We’re eager to hear those revenue numbers, when and if Wooster Games ever releases word, which will give us a clearer picture of just how Quest’s top-earning titles are currently faring. If it’s anything like Gorilla Tag’s most recent figure released last June, it may already be in the millions.
Meta is reportedly working on a version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses which will include a single display for viewing photos and apps. Now, according to a new Bloomberg report from Mark Gurman, the company is aiming to introduce it sometime later this year alongside its wrist-worn XR controller for hand-gesture input.
As per a previous Bloomberg report from January, the device is allegedly codenamed ‘Hypernova’. Citing Meta employees, the device could cost between $1,000 and $1,400, although the final price likely still hasn’t been decided.
The price increase over the company’s $300 Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, which don’t include displays of any sort, is reportedly driven by the inclusion of a single display visible in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens.
Bloomberg’s latest report now maintains Hypernova will include dedicated apps for taking pictures, viewing photos and accessing maps. This also includes notifications from phone apps, such as Messenger and WhatsApp, the report maintains.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Image courtesy Meta, EssilorLuxottica
It’s said Hypenova will rely “heavily on the Meta View phone app,” and may not include its own on-board app store despite running a customized version of Android—suggesting it’s more akin to a smartphone peripheral and not a standalone platform as such.
It is however said to include many of the same features of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, such as capturing images and video, accessing AI via built-in microphones and pairing with a phone for calls and music playback.
Additionally, it’s said Hypernova is getting a spec bump in the camera department. The latest version of Meta Ray-Ban comes with a 12-megapixel camera, similar to an iPhone 11 (2019) in quality. Instead, Hypernova is hoping to “rival the iPhone 13 from 2021,” according to people familiar with the matter.
Like the company’s display-less Ray-Ban Glasses, the report maintains users can control Hypernova using capacitive touch controls located on the temples, allowing to scroll through media.
Wrist-worn XR Controller seen with Orion | Image courtesy Meta
It seems however Meta is looking to finally productize its wrist-worn XR controller, which uses electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect things such pinching and hand rotation for UI selection. Hypernova is said to come bundled in the box with the wrist-worn controller, which we’ve also seen in action with the company’s internal Orion AR glasses.
Bloomberg maintains a second-gen ‘Hypernova 2’ is already in the works, which is said to include a binocular heads-up display system (again, smart glasses, not AR) with people familiar with the matter maintaining it’s currently planned for release in 2027.
Granted, anything could happen. Meta regularly shelves products late in development, such as its allegedly canceled variant the device without a camera—a move targeting lower costs and increased user privacy.
Still, Hypernova likely won’t be the next smart glasses device Meta releases. The report maintains Meta is finalizing ‘Supernova 2’, which function like Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, but houses inside a sportier Oakley design.
All of this is leading up to the release of Meta’s first true AR glasses. The company revealed its internal developer kit Orion in late 2024; Meta CTO and Reality Labs chief Andrew Bosworth has said an AR device based on their work with Orion could come before 2030, priced “at least in the space of phone, laptop territory.”
Rebellion announced it’s getting ready to release Zombie Army’s first VR game, bringing its co-op campaign to all major VR headsets next month.
Coming to Quest 2 and above, PSVR 2 and SteamVR headsets May 22nd, Zombie Army VR brings the franchise’s zombie-ganking madness, enlisting you among the Deadhunters, an elite squad fighting to end the apocalypse.
“Fight your way through undead hordes near the bombed-out city of Nuremberg to help Captain Hermann Wolff, the Deadhunter’s legendary leader, find his scattered family, and fight to free Europe from the zombie apocalypse,” Rebellion says.
Image courtesy Rebellion
Promising a “full-length, story-driven campaign,” playable solo or in two-player co-op, the game is again bringing an authentic loadout of World War II weaponry, such as sniper rifles, submachine guns, pistols—which you can dual-wield and manually rack.
You’ll also be able to earn XP to level up your Deadhunter and use Weapon Upgrade kits to modify the range, accuracy, scope, and capacity of your weapons.
And you’ll be up against more than just your standard Nazi walkers, boasting all of the franchise favorites: Armored Giants, Suiciders, Sniper Zombies, and more. What’s more, like Rebellion’s Sniper Elite VR (2021), the X-ray Kill Cam is making an appearance in Zombie Army VR, allowing you to relive long-range kills in slow motion.
You can now pre-order Zombie Army VR over on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, the PlayStation Store for PSVR 2, and Steam for PC VR headsets, where it’s currently priced at 10% off its regular $30 price tag.
Train Sim World is finally here on Quest, bringing its realistic train driving experience to VR for first time.
Called Train Sim World VR: New York, the game lets you become a train driver on New York’s MTA Harlem Line, which includes a Career Mode tasking you to carry out instructions from Rail Traffic Control and complete challenges along the way.
There’s also a Journey Mode, where you can hop out of your train and visit all the stations along the Harlem Line, letting you explore for collectables, and interact with the environment.
And when you’re not busy shuffling commuters around and walking the Harlem Line, there’s also your very own New York apartment, which you can decorate. It’s a little too large and centrally-located to truly believe, but maybe you got lucky and snapped up a rent-stabilized units.
The game was developed by series developer Dovetail Games and VR veteran Just Add Water, known for its work on Dig VR (2024) as well as Rebellion’s Sniper Elite VR (2021). According to user reviews, one of the early gripes with the game is the inability to adjust in-game seat height. The studio says however “in-game height adjustment is coming.”
You can find Train Sim World VR: New York exclusively on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, priced at $32.
Sandbox VR, the location-based VR destination, announced it’s generated $30 million in ticket sales for its official Squid Game VR attraction. Additionally, Sandbox VR says it’s expanding Squid Game with the addition of a new mini-game.
Called ‘Repeat Racers’, the new mini-game was inspired by the games from season two of the series, tasking you with solving puzzles and getting to the finish line. Points are awarded based on finishing position, and players who don’t reach the finish line are eliminated from the game.
“We’re thrilled to expand our Squid Game Virtuals experience with this exciting new minigame that captures the intensity and competitive spirit of the series’ second season,” said Steve Zhao, Sandbox VR CEO. “Repeat Racers offers players another way to immerse themselves in the world of Squid Game and test their skills in a high-pressure, adrenaline-pumping environment.”
Repeat Racers joins a host of other six-player mini-games available in ‘Squid Game Virtuals’, including the series’ iconic ‘Red Light, Green Light’ and ‘Cross the Glass Bridge.’
It’s been so popular, Sandbox VR says the experience has now topped $30 million in ticket sales since its launch in September 2023.
Sandbox VR operates in over 57 locations worldwide, with a majority of locations in North America. It also has locations in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, China, Singapore, and Australia.
The company says each of its locations attract over 100k players monthly, where it hosts a number of in-house developed games, including ‘Rebel Moon: The Descent’, ‘Deadwood PHOBIA’, ‘Unbound Fighting League (UFL)’, and ‘Amber Sky 2088’.
You can see if a Sandbox VR location is available near you here, which also includes the ability to reserve your spot in advance.
