PokerStars VR Launch Title for Meta’s Quest Pro
Flutter Entertainment Brand PokerStars VR software will be featured by Meta as a launch title for its Quest Pro device, which will be released this month. The free-to-play offering is one of a select number of titles to showcase the product’s social aspect.
PokerStars Users Can Use a VR Headset to Play Hands © Pixabay.
PokerStars VR will be among the launch titles of Meta’s upcoming mixed-reality device, the Quest Pro.
The company that created PokerStar’s VR offering, Lucky VR, have confirmed they are making amendments to its current software to take advantage of mixed reality, which incorporates computer-generated imagery overlaid onto real-world footage.
The company has worked with PokerStars for four years, initially creating software for use with the Oculus Rift VR headsets.
However, customers who want to experience playing PokerStars VR on Meta’s flagship device will need deep pockets, as the price tag for the new device is £1,499, almost 400% higher than the previous generation. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, sells the Quest 2 for £399.
The new device, which had the codename Project Cambria during development, has several improvements over the Quest 2 and is likely to appeal to early adaptors and tech enthusiasts. It features a new optical stack that replaces the Fresnel lenses currently employed in the Quest 2 model.
The processing power is also significantly increased in the new model. Meta has switched to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ platform, which the manufacturers claim provides 50% more power but should run cooler due to improved thermal dissipation.
Visuals and controls have also received an overhaul. Meta claims the Quest Pro has 37% more pixels per inch than the Meta Quest 2, and users experience a reputed 10% greater pixel count per degree. The controllers, which come bundled with the unit, are called the Touch pro controllers. Sensors built into the controllers allow the user’s movement to be tracked in a 3d space.
At Meta’s earnings call earlier this year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the new VR headset was being developed for work rather than games.
“Later this year, we’ll release a higher-end headset, codenamed Project Cambria, which will be more focused on work use cases and eventually replacing your laptop or work setup,” Zuckerberg said.
“This premium device will have improved ergonomics and full-colour passthrough mixed reality to seamlessly blend virtual reality with the physical world,” he continued.
“We’re also building in eye tracking and face tracking so that your avatar can make eye contact and facial expressions, which dramatically improves your sense of presence.”
However, Flutter Entertainment has recognised that the new improvements in the VR headset will allow for a more realistic and engaging experience for those using its PokerStars VR software suite.
A spokesperson added that “sophisticated face and eye-tracking” will bring a “brand-new social dimension to PokerStars VR”.
The director of VR and innovation at PokerStars, James O’Reilly, said: “Our goal with PokerStars VR is to push the potential of new technologies as far as we can to create a fun and authentic social casino game that really is limitless.
“We’re extremely proud to be part of the launch of Meta’s Quest Pro, which is a transformation in virtual and mixed reality.
“Our developers have been having great fun exploring what this technology means for our players and we can’t wait to show them what we have in store.”
The VR revolution is underway. We've designed an all-new headset packed with advanced tech and geared for productivity, creative work and collaboration. This is Meta Quest Pro, available 10.25. Pre-order today. https://www.facebook.com/unsupportedbrowser pic.twitter.com/cBagf0TSGp
— Meta Quest (@MetaQuestVR) October 11, 2022
The Quest Pro is available from October 25th, and the PokerStars VR software can be downloaded from the Oculus Store. Along with Texas hold ’em, there are Sit & Go tournaments which feature weekly Leader Boards offering in-game rewards.
