The long-awaited next entry into the critically-acclaimed Thief series is coming to all major VR headsets this year, promising to blend the storied franchise’s stealth gameplay with next-gen immersion.
Unveiled during PlayStation’s State of Play, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow puts you in the stealthy boots of a cunning thief who was orphaned by The City’s tyrant, Baron Ulysses Northcrest.
While thievery used to be your only way to survive the mean streets, a legendary artifact holding a legacy from the past dramatically changes your course as you look to expose a sinister conspiracy.
Like the original flatscreen games, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is also slated to offer multiple playstyles and paths to your objective.
There’s no precise launch date yet beyond the 2025 release window, although in the meantime you can wishlist Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, the PlayStation Store for PSVR 2, and Steam for PC VR headsets.
The NHL Stanley Cup Final kicks off today, June 4th, pitting the Florida Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers in four (and possibly three additional) intense matches. And Quest users will have a rink-side seat to every game.
This makes for the second year in a row the Panthers and Oilers face off, with the Panthers taking last year’s Cup after clinching victory in Game 7 and setting the stage for an intense rematch.
Xtadium is hosting all games in the NHL Stanley Cup (schedule below), which promises to give Quest users a rink-side seat of players just meters away, the puck zipping past at eye level, and the roar of the fan-filled arena across multiple immersive viewpoints.
As with all immersive content hosted Xtadium, the biggest catch is it’s a US-only app, which probably won’t sit right with Canada-side Oiler fans.
See the full schedule for 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final – click for event reminders:
Game 1: Panthers at Oilers, Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. ET
Game 2: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. ET
Game 3: Oilers at Panthers, Monday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Oilers at Panthers, Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m. ET
Provided there’s a tie, three additional games will be held:
Game 5: Panthers at Oilers, Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m. ET
Game 6: Oilers at Panthers, Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET
Big tech players like Meta and Apple see the ultimate destiny of XR as a replacement for the smartphone. One of VR’s leading studios makes the case that there’s much to be lost in the transition to that future of XR if the talent and techniques built over the last decade of virtual reality aren’t carried through.
Hi there! My name is Denny Unger. I am the CEO (and professional VR snob) at Cloudhead Games. I founded Cloudhead because I saw pure magic and unlimited potential in virtual reality. Since 2013, we’ve grown to 60 VR pro’s, formed deep relationships with the key OEMs, all while creating, innovating, and shipping multiple top-selling and award-winning titles. This year marks our 13th year, and from this vantage I’d like to speak in broad terms on the state of VR, its future and why it’s so important not to lose focus on this incredible medium.
Denny Unger, CEO of Cloudhead Games, stands in front of 13 years of VR headset prototypes
VR’s Growing Pains
I’m going to speak to VR’s growing pains, but before I do, I think it’s important to point out that year-on-year, key competitors are spending more on XR development, not less. VR hardware development has shifted in branching and accelerated ways, but its overall fit within a broad consumer landscape has always been an act of pathfinding. I would also like to reinforce that the data clearly points to ‘games & gaming’ as the primary revenue generator in this market. Productivity and general ‘apps’ still haven’t found their footing, but there are important reasons for that.
The first ‘VR downturn’ was focused around glacially slow adoption in the PCVR market in 2018, after its 2016 rebirth. This was based on various points of consumer friction (cost, setup, and technical know-how, form factor, onboarding friction, and lack of content), generally minimal investments in studios/software, a lack of publisher interest, and a tech community fixating on the next shiny thing. Most VR studios just weren’t finding the support or margins they ultimately needed in this nascent market to build multi-year projects at scale. But in that very same year, Meta (then Facebook) introduced the Oculus Quest: a stand-alone VR headset that removed some of the biggest points of friction for consumers, and offered developers an outlet for more curated, high-quality content. This was further bolstered by significant growth with the launch of Quest 2 in 2020 against the backdrop of a world held captive by lockdowns and uncertainty. Our 2019 release Pistol Whip participated in this wave of success maintaining a top spot in the list of ‘all-time gross revenue’ earners globally.
VR was apparently booming, it outsold Xbox Series X|S, it was competing with consoles for the first time, and it was paired with some of the best VR content available.
But from 2022 forward, VR’s climb up the Slope of Enlightenment appeared to meet a great Chasm of the Unknown, a slow but steady storm, predicated by a challenging global economy, a decline in consumer spending, layoffs and game studio closures, and a rapidly shifting investment focus towards AI over XR and Metaverse ambitions.
A ‘VR Amended’ Gartner Hype Cycle punctuated by a Chasm of the Unknown
Technological Impatience
VR’s extraordinary ambition to penetrate into all human activities appears to be held back by a kind of technological impatience. To many of us working within the industry, XR is taking an appropriate amount of time to work out the kinks of this completely transformative new medium, bringing both hardware and software to a place which matches consumer expectations. But mainstream consumers, while very impressed with VR, remain skeptical due to critical points of friction (comfort, isolation, software ecosystem, utility, cost). I have often compared modern VR to putting on your shoes to go outside, in order to do X activity for 30 minutes. Humans have a tendency to opt for the lowest energy requirement possible, especially when it comes to their entertainment. So the simple act of donning a headset is often an additive point of friction, which in some ways is keeping current XR tech and form factors in limbo. This has profound relevance to our future approach to XR technologies.
So instead of the world-dominating technology we all thought it might be at this time, VR resonates most deeply with a market of core gamers, enthusiasts, and a growing youth segment, all of them willing to endure VR’s growing pains for the raw experience. And while that market is significant, it is in some ways antithetical to a broader mission where VR dominates at smart phone adoption levels. And more recent attempts to capture the market segments of Productivity, or even Media Consumption, are a challenge due to social isolation, long-term wearability, and mostly barren ecosystem choices.
All of this in turn has softened investment prospects and left a lingering question mark over XR’s future for those that are unable to see where this is all headed. Stay with me here!
Into the Chasm
The greater frustration for modern VR studios (of which there are fewer every year) lay between where we are now, and that ‘Chasm of the Unknown,’ which we must leap past in order to see VR’s true rebirth. The thing is, VR will become profoundly relevant when consumers are opting to wear a device which is comfortable for long periods, fashionable, and does ‘everything’ (no small order). A device that is your supreme portal to other realities, entertainment, work, education, and everything in between. Something you live with, and within.
But where does VR fit when we usher in this new age of malleable realities, and will there be enough VR studios around to meet the moment?
There has been a significant refocus around Augmented Reality, but this is just one complementary aspect required for a true ‘metaverse’ future. MR/AR is more narrowly focused on anchoring information spatially, as opposed to deeply exploring new realities, which is to say it’s part of a constellation of complementary ‘modes’ that will comprise future XR tech (Modal switching between Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality). MR/AR is great, emulating functions of your phone on your head is interesting, it’s just not that ‘sexy,’ and in isolation it is not a complete picture of our XR future.
So what, then, is the primary draw to XR? In some ways it might be better to think of Mixed Reality as a ‘gateway drug’ to VR. We can say one thing fairly confidently here with respect to how consumers interact with current XR tech: true awe generally doesn’t come from spatial widgets, it comes from spatial experiences that draw users into whole new realities which play into deep areas of wish fulfillment. So while our future certainly includes MR based applications, XR’s true ‘killer app’ is spatially aware, adaptive, replacive reality.
A Modal VR Future
Let me double down on that statement a little bit. I have always looked at the technologies evolving out of AR as a solution for VR locomotion and discomfort. When consumers are finally living with ‘all-day XR glasses,’ which can map their living or working spaces in real-time and allow them to dip in and out of VR and MR modally, users will begin to actively reskin their real-world environments (spaces, objects, people, etc.) to look and behave however they want. It won’t be enough to look at anchored apps against the backdrop of a dirty laundry bin or a sink full of dishes; consumers will customize their living rooms to be castles, resorts, Minecraft landscapes, etc. They will dine in the halls of gods and have meetings at the bottom of the ocean. Some may think it dystopian, but I believe the true Metaverse levels the playing field between the haves and have nots, allowing for a landscape of human activities in fantastic environments custom tailored to the user, or a consensual experience tailored to a group. It will eventually be done completely on the fly, and will likely be the true ‘killer app’ of future XR devices.
Lifeskin’ video by Reddit user Jesser722
But when users come down from their slightly hollow (but very cool), potentially ‘auto-generated’ fever dream, they will also crave high-quality, hand-architected VR experiences. Expertly crafted stories, games, Virtual Reality entertainment, from a human perspective which guides them on a journey of play and discovery.
Not-So-Hidden Opportunities
This is why it is so vitally important that the VR studios of today are supported and invested in over the next 5-10 years. Critical domain knowledge and unique skillsets have been mastered over the last decade, and yet the landscape of remaining VR studios face an existential risk. Building for VR is VERY different from building for traditional mediums, and we’ve cracked the code on many things that still aren’t universally adopted as best practices. A future without that domain knowledge, infrastructure, and experience will guarantee a poorly timed reinvention of the wheel, which could jeopardize the stability of the moment and longevity of future XR technologies. And that moment requires powered-up studios, content, technology, and investments, which can cover the entire spectrum of how users will want to interact with the technology. It will be a wide and deep breadth of augmentation dipping in and out of an increasingly malleable reality, where new experiences are just a click away. VR does not live outside of that future, it IS that future.
If you are on the edge of XR, directly invested in it, or frustrated by how long it’s taking, I don’t want you to miss out on potentially one of the biggest booms mankind will experience: an incoming cultural shift into unfathomable augmentation and customization of how we live our lives. The right device, the right software, the right investments, the right balance, all takes time. And at the risk of sounding like an entrepreneur…it won’t be long now.
Why VR?
I founded Cloudhead Games in 2013 because I saw pure magic and unlimited potential in VR. This was a technology which could literally take you anywhere, let you be anyone, could evoke powerful emotions, perspectives, and knowledge that was simply not possible in any other medium. VR was going to change the world, transform the entire media landscape, entertainment, training, education, and in many ways it already has (for those looking at the right places). I still very much believe in VR’s raw power, giving the average person limitless possibilities and potential. That’s how big it is and despite all reports to the contrary, it’s on its way.
Over a decade later, I for one can firmly say that VR is not dead, it’s just getting started!
VR indie Retrocell announced its working on a liquid physics simulator that lets you go hands-on on with some very slimy creations.
Targeting Quest and SteamVR headsets, Slime Lab isn’t just about creating different slimes for fun, but making cold hard cash by fulfilling custom orders and bottling them up for your fellow slime lovers.
You’ll also have to keep your lab stocked and running, which means you’ll nee to order supplies, upgrade your tools, and unlock new ingredients for the widest range of possible slimy creations.
1 of 3
Image courtesy Retrocell LLC
Image courtesy Retrocell LLC
Image courtesy Retrocell LLC
Retocell notes the game will be packed with a variety of charms, glow effects, and variable stickiness levels. You can even melt it down, or freeze it into new shapes just for the fun of it, the studio says.
There’s no release date yet, although Slime Lab is said to be specifically optimized for Quest 3, noting it will have “better graphics and more advanced physics simulation.”
In the meantime, you can wishlist the game over on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, and on Steam for PC VR headsets.
Steam Next Fest is nearly upon us once again, giving PC VR players a chance to try out a rash of upcoming SteamVR titles for a limited time.
Valve has confirmed a mega list of games coming to this year’s Steam Next Fest, which includes free demos running from June 9th – 16th. That list will go public soon, which you can find here next week.
While Valve gave us a heads up, we’ve been warned the list may change all the way up until Next Fest’s kick off on June 9th.
For now though, we’ve rounded up 32 demos confirmed to arrive next week. While a majority of demos listed below are not live yet, you can follow the links below to bookmark, see the trailer, and learn more about each game.
Marksman VR
Image courtesy Crimson Gate
Developer: Crimson Gate
Description: Take on the role of an elite sniper in MARKSMAN VR, a thrilling VR shooter. Master stealth missions, race against time in intense battles, and test your precision with realistic aiming mechanics. Every shot matters in this immersive sniping experience.
Description: A dynamic adventure in a world of magic, blending puzzle elements with arcade. Rebuild magical towers while defending against dragons and mastering ancient elemental runes.
Description: Ghost Town is a single player VR puzzle-adventure from the makers of The Room. London, 1983. Edith Penrose is a ghost hunter, busy exorcising her way through the city’s restless spirits. But after her brother goes missing Edith must draw upon her wits & supernatural talents to unravel the mystery.
Description: CoopScoop is a fast-paced VR arcade game where you run a chicken farm during an outbreak! Wash dirty chickens, cure the sick, and quarantine the green ones. Keep your flock alive and happy for as long as possible, because that’s how we do it chicken-farmer-style!
Description: Of Lies and Rain is a story-driven first person shooter built exclusively for VR. Set in a dark, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic world, at the edge of the real and digital realm. You’ll fight to reclaim your past and save humanity from the brink of extinction.
Description: Hop on your hoverbike and dive into Retronika, an immersive VR adventure! Fight challenging enemies, master 3D movement and shooting, and navigate vibrant cityscapes. Upgrade your bike, combine weapons, and tackle chaotic missions in this action-packed, story-driven single-player experience!
Developer: Pietro Dondi, Giorgio Morico, Marta Silla, Giulio Posati, Diego Argiolas, Claudio Vona, Lorenzo Passaretti, Davide Molitierno, Matteo Petruzziello, Andrea Iskander, Reiner Romeo
Description: LABYRAINTH is a sci-fi fps game set in an alien world made of labyrinths. Avoid traps, shoot aliens, collect resources, upgrade weapons, activate powers, and most importantly escape the labyrinth, racing against time.
Description: Hand-picked by Meta for the Oculus Ignition Program, RAGER is the music-action brawler that throws you into epic battles where you fight like a superhero. Set in a dark, digital realm, where each world emerges from the void to test your skill and dissolves once the battle is won.
Description: Step into the unknown and embark on an epic, time travel adventure, completely re-imagined. Introducing Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate, a remake of the critically acclaimed VR adventure game – Wanderer. There’s no telling where you’ll go and who you’ll become as you unravel the mysteries of time.
Description: Nock your arrow and challenge your friends in archery golf! Master realistic arrow physics and challenge your friends for a round in beautiful and challenging 9 target courses. Gain a competitive edge with skillful usage of different arrows, avoid obstacles and utilize shortcuts.
Description: Strategically maneuver your Combat Hamsters armed with an arsenal of powerful weapons across procedurally generated, fully destructible terrain. Dodge deadly mines, trigger explosive barrels to outsmart your foes, and fight to be the last Coham standing!
Description:The story begins in a mysterious house. Strange items scattered about are key to uncovering the truth. You must ingest them and “vomit blood,” gaining powers at the cost of your health. But beware: the scent of your blood draws a lurking threat that ends the game if it catches you.
Description:Your World is a VR open-world survival game with building and crafting. Explore a stylized world, gather resources, and create your own unique world. Survive in the wilderness, manage resources, and expand your domain. Can you turn chaos into a thriving world?
Description: RHYTHMIC combines the fast-paced VR rhythm-game genre with tactical tower defense. Collect magical particles in tune with epic music and skillfully unleash powerful spells upon invading enemies to defend the people whose only hope is your prowess!
Description:Sandbox Survival in VR. Face a frozen wilderness solo or in co-op – build a shelter, craft tools, hunt for food, and manage your resources to endure harsh conditions. Strategize your moves against unpredictable weather and lurking dangers. And remember to keep yourself safe and sane!
Description:Razgovor Online is a Social MMORPG-Lite open world game, providing ways to explore, socialise, and grow, with Jobs, Mini-Games and player housing, or even taking long drives with your friends, the freedom is yours!
Description: Ultima Chess VR – chess as you’ve never seen before! Battle on the chessboard in virtual reality, where every piece comes to life and engages in a fantasy duel!
Description: Step into the Disc Dimension, a VR disc golf arena for casual players and veterans alike. Throw aces from your chair, or train your true form with realistic throwing, physics, & stats. Tour through beautiful VR courses with mind-bending hazards, hidden secrets, and numerous unique discs to collect!
Description: Observe your surroundings closely in the Anomaly Research Center (ARC) to memorize important details. Detect unsettling anomalies to escape the hazardous areas. Uncover the dark secrets of the ARC organization in this innovative sci-fi horror walking simulator.
Description:Defend portals from hordes of slimes with elemental foxes in this tabletop VR game. Build mazes to thwart adaptive enemy pathing in three dimensions. Collect a variety of foxes and equipment over a 25 level story campaign.
Description:Dagger Woods VR is based on the true story of the fires in Caledonia Mills, Nova Scotia, Canada. A psychological thriller full of mind games, mystery, and adventure. Step into the shoes of Maggie Carmichael to find the truth behind the darkness within the snow-covered woods.
Description:DON’T MOVE is an immersive VR game where your ability to HOLD YOUR NERVE and stay PERFECTLY STILL, no matter what comes at you – is the key to succeeding.Can you make it through the rigorous (and often ludicrous) testing schedule?
Description:An arcade VR action shooter set in a world of cyberpunk. Shoot hordes of enemies with a carousel of one-rounded guns. Cast spectacular spells. Fight badass bosses and be badass yourself. Even deflect rockets with trash can lids!
Description:CloserLook VR: Oldways is a story-driven VR adventure set in modern-day West Africa. Trapped in a university building, explore secret locations, solve puzzles, and uncover a gripping narrative of exploitation, corruption, and betrayal.
Description:FISTAGON, the fist-fighting sports extravaganza! Punch blocks, strategize combos, score big, and rise to the top of leaderboards with your favourite national FISTAGON athlete, or challenge friends and strangers to one vs one online match!
Description:VITRIOL is a physics based VR movement shooter. In this demo you’ll play through the first 4 levels of the game gaining access to the first 2 weapons as well as the ‘Fissure’ Grenade and Grappling Hook. Burn and Fallow.
Description:In this open-world relaxed VR fantasy, you are Shroomer, a mystical forager tasked with managing a secret enchanted forest. Gather rare fungi and vegetation, craft elixirs, build tools and complete tasks. Handle dangerous mushrooms with special approach or risk being claimed by the forest’s magic.
Description:HAELE 3D – Portrait Studio Pro is 3D facial anatomy drawing reference tool for beginner and advanced artists, with various characters, proportions, expressions lights and environments. It is an easy to use app to complement tutorials, for those who are learning how to draw faces and heads.
Description:Hoard Defender VR is a casual arcade VR game about defeating enemies as they try to take your hoard! Buy upgrades and toss enemies to keep them from draining all your gold and stealing your most prized possessions, the dragon rubies you keep lying underneath your mound of gold.
Description:MIRRORLIGHT is an indie VR puzzle game. Solve light-based challenges, overcome enemies, save creatures and make your way back home! Use mirrors, splitters, gemstones and other tools to guide the light and recover the lost fragments!
Description:Step into the gritty, gear driven world of Boxing Machine VR, an exclusive virtual reality experience set in a steampunk inspired gym brimming with robotic pugilists. Your mission? Crush every opponent in the ring and rise as the undisputed champion.
