2020 YEAR-END ISSUE | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY 39
requirement for every user to log in to their
Facebook account to play Quest 2. I personally
deleted my Facebook account years ago out of
privacy and data mining concerns, so I created a
new one just for VR. But Facebook did pay
Palmer $2 billion for Oculus back in 2014 with
the goal of evolving social media, so this makes
business sense.
With no end to this pandemic in sight (at least
until fall 2021 based on scientists and
epidemiologists), there’s never been a better
time to take the leap into VR. The price point is
perfect and the gaming experiences have
evolved to the point where you do feel
transported to new worlds. Leaving the current
COVID-19-plagued planet seems like a
welcome respite these days, which makes Quest
2 the perfect portal to fun and adventures.
The Best Games
Outside of the issue of price, the biggest
detriment to VR going mainstream has been
killer apps. Facebook (along with rivals HTC
Vive/Cosmos and Sony PlayStation VR) has
invested a lot into killer apps. Ubisoft has been a
leader in the traditional game publishing space
when it comes to pushing VR forward. Having
released Eagle Flight, Werewolves Within, and
Star Trek: Bridge Crew with Oculus, Ubisoft is
now bringing two of its AAA franchises to VR
with new entries in the Assassin’s Creed and
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell universes. Both
games are being developed from the ground up
by Ubisoft’s Red Storm in collaboration with
Ubisoft Reflections, Ubisoft Dusseldorf, and
Ubisoft Mumbai. Look for these titles to be
released in 2021 and beyond.But there are plenty of cool games out now for
Quest 2, including:
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s
Edge, ILMxLAB
Having finished delving into the Dark Lord’s
past with the award-winning Vader Immortal
series, ILMxLAB has brought the latest Star
Wars theme park to life with this VR experience.
Set on the new planet Batu (which Imagineers
created in real life at Disneyland and Walt
Disney World), players will explore new areas
on the planet beyond the outskirts of Black
Spire Outpost. Featuring fan-favorite characters
like C-3PO, R2-D2, Jedi Master Yoda, and
brand new characters like the chatty bartender
Seezelslak, Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
launches you into a spirited Star Wars adventure
that will evolve and expand over time.Jurassic World Aftermath, Universal
Games and Digital Platforms and
Coatsink Games
Set two years after the fall of Jurassic World,
this game immerses the player in Isla Nubla.
You’re tasked with returning to the dino-
overrun island in search of confidential research
materials lost in the evacuation. The problem? A
crash landing has left you stranded in the
rundown ruins of a now-abandoned research
facility—and deadly Velociraptors stalk your
every move. You’ll have to rely on your wits(and a bit of luck) to escape the island alive.
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond,
Oculus Studios and Respawn
Entertainment
After three years of development, Oculus
Studios, and Respawn Entertainment have
crafted the killer app that puts players inside the
hell of World War II. Based on the original game
franchise that was created by Steven Spielberg,
this original VR title allows players to storm the
beaches of Normandy, aid the French
Resistance, and liberate Europe. This immersive
game will only be playable on Quest via Oculus
Link (compatible PC also required) as well as
on SteamVR.
Population One
BigBox VR has created a battle royale that is
only possible in VR. Its unique Vertical Combat
System gives players the freedom to climb
anything, fly anywhere, and fight everywhere.
It’s chaotic, it’s exhilarating, and delivers
limitless combat possibilities. The developer
promises to keep the action fresh with ongoing
live in-game events and fresh content to explore.
Beat Saber Multiplayer, Beat Games
Facebook liked this game so much it bought
the developer, Beat Games, in 2019. Now it’s
expanding the addictive rhythm music gameplay
with multiplayer support and a new BTS Music
Pack. That means it’s time to figure out which of
your friends is actually good at Beat Saber via
virtual block-busting jam sessions. Also new is
BTS and their recently revealed TinyTANJurassic World Aftermath