Apple Vision Pro launches February 2 with "new spatial games" and controller support

Cal Jeffrey

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In brief: Apple does not maintain a presence at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which starts tomorrow. However, that didn't stop it from using the busy news cycle to reveal some details on its upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset. The Vision Pro is the first new product out of Cupertino since the Apple Watch in 2015.

On Monday, Apple announced it would launch the Vision Pro in the US on February 2. Customers can begin preordering the device on January 19. They should prepare to shell out at least $3,500 for the device, a price Apple revealed during WWDC 2023.

Apple strived to make the Vision Pro as light, compact, and streamlined as possible. As such, there is not enough room inside the headset for users to wear prescription eyeglasses or readers. Apple's solution is built-in corrective lenses. Unfortunately, this creates a couple of drawbacks.

First, those needing vision assistance must provide Apple with their vision prescription and have their headset custom-made, which could add to shipping time. Apple has not given an estimated timeframe for customized orders, but it's not unreasonable to tack on an extra week or two.

The second caveat is the additional cost. At $3,500, the Vision Pro is already the most expensive device of its kind commercially available. Those needing to add prescription lenses must pay an extra $149. If you need readers, Apple has Zeiss Optical inserts for $99. Those prices aren't overly steep, especially for those already willing to pay the $3,500 entry price. However, it may seem unnecessary, considering other headsets can accommodate eyewear.

Accompanying the Vision Pro is a new operating system called "visionOS." Like iPadOS, visionOS was not designed from the ground up but is a fork of iOS. So, the Vision Pro will immediately have a library of millions of existing apps, including over 250 Apple Arcade games.

Compatible apps will operate normally, albeit on a giant virtual screen. However, this does not mean that the Vision Pro will not have native apps that exclusively leverage the headset's technology.

One of the first mixed reality games for the Vision Pro will likely be a port of the popular deck-building adventure Demeo from Resolution Games, which the studio announced last September. The game's demo shows it having virtual dice and an augmented reality game board.

Apple stated that more Vision Pro titles are in the works, including "new spatial games" from franchises such as What the Golf, Game Room, and Super Fruit Ninja.

"[These] new spatial games [will] transform the space around players, offering unique and engaging gameplay experiences," Apple said.

It also said that some non-spatial games, like Sonic Dream Team, will have controller support. Imagine playing NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, which is pretty good on the iPad, on a gigantic screen, and not having to fumble with touch controls.

The company stopped short of naming compatible controllers. However, since Apple products are already generally compatible with PlayStation and Xbox controllers, we can reasonably expect the same functionality from the visionOS fork.

You can check out Apple's Vision Pro product page for a full blow-by-blow of features. It will also be where customers can order the headset when Apple starts taking preorders on January 19.

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Can't wait to see objective, in-depth reviews of this. There's no way I'm buying such an expensive item, but it would be nice to know that for those who can afford it, it's worth it.





 
"including over 250 Apple Arcade games."
I always dreamed of having a 3500 vr to play 250 arcade games...
This thing needs steam, and hungry devs knowing their new vr games will sell.
Of course, Apple will port other older games eventually.
I watch sim races sometimes. I do not see people using VR often
when it seems like one of the best additions to their 600-2500 racing rigs.
Perhaps, most popular racing games do not support VR?
Steering an advanced sim wheel and feeling the road in VR would
be so much better.
 
I am not optimistic about the future of this product to be honest. The cost is a barrier for most, and for the money, one is getting an outdated SOC with meagre storage amount. It’s funny how they try to market games like Fruit Ninja and the terrible state of the Apple Arcade that is not growing in titles since launch day. Plus, it also means after paying at least USD 3.5K, you have to pay for the monthly subscription of Apple Arcade just to play games on the overpriced headset. Let’s see how reviewers will rate it.
 
It's telling that, even after Apple's big push to convey this isn't a headset for gaming, everyone thinks it's a gaming VR headset. That said, it's hilarious how hard they're trying to avoid using the term VR.

This first generation is made for the enthusiast and the developer to start up an ecosystem, not an attempt to capture the mass market yet. But at this price point, I'm really not sure they'll manage to do even that.
 
So if you get one with prescription lenses you can't even share its use with your family members or colleagues.

I dunno. Seems like another dealbreaker.
 
I would wait until third party reviews are out before buying anything from Apple and I'd even wait for the follow up version if there is one. Apple is known to not support hardware after it's been sold like the many Mac Pro's that were modular but weren't supported for very long after it was sold.
 
I would wait until third party reviews are out before buying anything from Apple and I'd even wait for the follow up version if there is one. Apple is known to not support hardware after it's been sold like the many Mac Pro's that were modular but weren't supported for very long after it was sold.
Never ask how long Apple supported the iPad 1
 
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