With a couple of weeks to go until the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2018 anticipation is building for this years event to be even bigger and better for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content. Google will be holding several sessions as well as its Google Developer Day which the company has teased will feature new product announcements.
While there’s nothing particularly confirming VR or AR products, Nathan Martz, AR/VR Developer Platforms Product Manager will be part of the Google Developer Day Keynote address, so he’s definitely got something to say. And this won’t be like the annual Google I/O conference which covers all of the company’s products, as its GDC this will be more videogame focused.
So what does VRFocus expect? Well plenty of AR for one thing. With ARCore 1.0. being rolled out for Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 expectations are high regarding plenty of new content for consumers as well as further software developments. One title that is certainly confirmed is Ghostbusters World which featured in the ARCore announcement. Expected to launch for iOS and Android devices in 2018, Ghostbusters World will have players capturing ghosts in the real world.
As for VR, hopefully Google Daydream will get a mention since it has barely been spoken about after the new headset design arrived last year. Another more likely mention might have to do with standalone VR headsets. Oculus Go is expected relatively soon, Vive Focus is now out in China, and then there’s Lenovo Mirage Solo which uses the Daydream platform which hasn’t yet had a confirmed release date of price.
As mentioned, there will be ‘new product announcements’, not just updates on already known tech. Possibly continuing the same approach as Microsoft with its Windows Mixed Reality platform, Google might just announce a few new hardware partners making their own Lenovo Mirage Solo counterparts. And there’s always that possibility of Google deciding to just make its own and surprising everyone.
Whatever happens, VRFocus will be at GDC 2018 to bring you all the latest news and hands-on opinions from the event.
via Mint VR